Lawless Heart

R

Released Feb 21, 2003

1 hr. 50 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

87%

53 Reviews

Tomatometer

58%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

After eight years of traveling, Tim (Douglas Henshall), a charismatic man in his late twenties, returns to the small English riverside town where he grew up, arriving in the middle of his cousin Stuart's funeral. This funeral is the springboard for three stories of love: a heart that betrays, a heart that derails, a heart that finally breaks.

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Critics Consensus

Unconventional and refreshing, this strikingly un-Hollywood film takes a quiet and heartbreaking look at the warmth and inspiration of friendships lost.

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Frances H

Interesting interweaving of love and relationships with some mildly funny moments, but a bit slow and not exactly terribly exciting.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/13

Full Review

Audience Member

I really like these kind of movies which every character has a story and we see the relationship between them from different point of views. Lawless Heart has a tripartite narrative structure and in each we undrestand more about the details of the whole story. This movie shows the relationship between different people and ofcourse the role of heart, lawless heart. Hollander,Hershall & Nighy are great. I really enjoyed this pleasant comedy/drama & I loved the ending. Oh I forgot the music score is fantastic and I'm Looking for it right now.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Of all of the intertwining stories modern movies try to tell, few have their bases together like 'Lawless Heart.' Every line and every person matters. It's all very small but quite affecting.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

After a man's funeral, three stories featuring friends and relatives of the deceased are interwoven. I really enjoyed this film's concept. When the first story ends and the film focuses on another character, the film becomes a kind of mystery as we try to figure out what all the incidental details of the story mean. It's creative and original without being flashy like a bad Tarantino imitation. Strong, understated performances by the three leading men, Douglas Henshall, Tom Hollander, and the incomparable Bill Nighy, and Josephine Butler are helped by intelligent dialogue. However, I did think that each story ended too soon, which originally added to the film's suspense, and when I still wanted more answers by the end of the film, I felt like I had been cheated. What happens with Dan's marriage? What is Nick's response to Tim's final question? I think the film was trying to be subtle, but this element didn't play. Overall, <i>Lawless Heart</i> -- I have no idea why that title fits -- is a creatively constructed film and worth the time.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

good rainy nite flick

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Okay. What more is there to say.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

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Tom Hunsinger

Director

Neil Hunter

Director

Douglas Henshall

Tim

Tom Hollander

Nick

Bill Nighy

Dan

Clémentine Célarié

Corrine

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Brandon Judell

indieWire

It has the emotional wallop of a Mike Leigh offering and the acute intelligence of an early John Schlesinger effort. This is a film about learning how to seize the day. And this is a film that does just that.

Jun 28, 2018

Full Review

Charlotte O'Sullivan

Independent (UK)

Hunter and Hunsinger show what can happen if you opt instead for the humour that accompanies can-I-feel? quiet. Turns out wit and warmth and keen observation produce their own euphoria -- what you might call a natural high.

Nov 15, 2017

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 4/5

Dec 30, 2006

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Mildly engaging melodrama that's more sharply written than directed.

Rated: B-

Jun 19, 2011

Full Review

Matt Kelemen

Las Vegas CityLife

Subtle in its use of cause and effect, Lawless Heart is a light-hearted study of relationships and regret, of last chances and lessons in love.

Apr 30, 2004

Full Review

George Varga

San Diego Union-Tribune

Like so many British movies, it seems made for actors who make what they humanly can of it, their expertise meshing.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 1, 2003

Full Review

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Synopsis

After eight years of traveling, Tim (Douglas Henshall), a charismatic man in his late twenties, returns to the small English riverside town where he grew up, arriving in the middle of his cousin Stuart's funeral. This funeral is the springboard for three stories of love: a heart that betrays, a heart that derails, a heart that finally breaks.

Director: Tom Hunsinger, Neil Hunter
Screenwriter: Tom Hunsinger, Neil Hunter
Distributor: First Look
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 21, 2003, Original
Release Date (DVD): Aug 19, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA): $330.1K
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo