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Heavy

Play trailer Poster for Heavy R 1995 1h 45m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
87% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
A shy, overweight pizza maker (Pruitt Taylor Vince) likes a teenage waitress (Liv Tyler) at his mother's (Shelley Winters) roadside tavern.
Heavy

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Critics Consensus

With Pruitt Taylor Vince's naturalistic performance and sympathetic direction from James Mangold, Heavy soars as an affecting exploration of loneliness.

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Critics Reviews

View All (31) Critics Reviews
Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader The performances are strong (my favorite is that of Deborah Harry as an older waitress) and the sense of eroded as well as barely articulated lives is palpable. Jun 14, 2022 Full Review Brian Tallerico UGO Rated: 3/5 Mar 24, 2007 Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times A small, quiet miracle of a movie in which tenderness, compassion and insight combine to create a tension that yields a quality of perception that's almost painful to experience. Rated: 4/5 Feb 14, 2001 Full Review Mike Davies Birmingham Post Avoiding sentimentality and defying expectations, Mangold evokes a subdued brooding atmosphere, weaving a poignant rites of passage tale of wounded lives reaching out for but desperately afraid of change. Dec 20, 2023 Full Review Michael Atkinson Spin Super-real, uncompromised, and blazingly homely, Heavy is a movie covered with honest work blisters -- nothing interests first-time writer/ director James Mangold quite as much as simply watching an ordinary person do their job. Apr 19, 2022 Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault The movie has a kind of elegance, but it's a very long sit. Rated: C Apr 9, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (73) audience reviews
Ben D Somber and homey, Heavy lays bare attraction and self-image and creates a character-driven story in the rainy expanse of the Hudson Valley. The dingy roadside saloon and pizza joint, Pete and Dolly’s, is named after the late Pete and Dolly Modino (Shelley Winters). Their overweight son, Victor (Pruitt Taylor Vince) makes pizzas (which he hates) and mostly keeps to himself in the back of the establishment. The young and beautiful (and inexperienced) Callie (Liv Taylor) is a Syracuse dropout whose hiring Delores (Debbie Harry) takes as a personal slight. Victor takes an instant liking to Callie, who seems to like him back, at least in a friendly manner. However, somehow, every single woman in the movie has an attraction to Victor that belies the pitiful front he presents and is a detriment to the plot. If every girl (even the cute checkout girl (Marian Quinn)) likes Victor, why is he so despondent? Moreover, why does Victor see a “dead” version of Callie at random times? This was a superfluous artsy move. That being said, Vince frequently does this rapid eye movement that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It was the perfect amount of weirdness that fit the drab surroundings. Mangold’s first film feels exactly like a “first film” from a director who would go on to direct movies like Logan and Ford v. Ferrari, and Indiana Jones and the something something something. It’s askew and affecting, but missing the thrust of the weight it’s going for. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/23/25 Full Review Jesse B Horrible movie. I truly wish I could erase it from my memory. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 12/17/23 Full Review Martin B An example of terrific casting. Deborah Harry was perfectly cast as the worn down mature woman looking for love but looking in all the wrong places. Under stated for sure but vivid and raw. A simple story about people interacting but not connecting each with their shields up for defense. Most watching could empathize with some element of one of the characters. The pros rate it high no doubt based on quality. The audience not as enthusiastic and you can see why. No murders, no action, no chase scenes, huge stars or high drama. More an introspective persons type of movie in the old school tradition. Watched it right through and was bored for a minute. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/28/23 Full Review Steve D I found it lame and condescending. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review georgan g A dramatic story well written & acted, especially by Pruitt Taylor Vince. We learn who each of the characters truly are and what the main character is about to become. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie is quietly stunning with beautiful performances portraying kindness and compassion. Acting is phenomenal, and I think it was ahead of its time. I never watched it when it was released so I'm just now enjoying it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Heavy

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Movie Info

Synopsis A shy, overweight pizza maker (Pruitt Taylor Vince) likes a teenage waitress (Liv Tyler) at his mother's (Shelley Winters) roadside tavern.
Director
James Mangold
Producer
Dick Miller, Richard Miller
Screenwriter
James Mangold
Production Co
Available Light Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 5, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$985.7K
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Surround