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Shot in the Heart

Play trailer Poster for Shot in the Heart R Released Oct 13, 2001 1h 39m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
83% Tomatometer 12 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
In 1977, Gary Gilmore (Elias Koteas) is convicted of murder and sentenced to die. Instead of fighting his sentence or working with his lawyers for a reduced punishment, Gilmore shocks the nation by insisting that his execution be completed as fast as possible. As activists and media types rally on either side of the ideological firestorm Gilmore has created, his brothers, including journalist Mikal (Giovanni Ribisi), seek out a stay of execution for Gary.

Critics Reviews

View All (12) Critics Reviews
Steven Oxman Variety The piece is ultimately admirable for its lack of easy answers, for its continued sense of emotional confusion. Oct 24, 2018 Full Review John Leonard New York Magazine/Vulture Agnieszka Holland (Europa, Europa) directs this stunning cast in what is essentially one long therapeutic interrogation with evidentiary flashbacks -- a claustrophobic seizure, a water torture of family secrets. Feb 3, 2018 Full Review John Anderson Newsday Explores an oft-exploited case with exquisite understanding and care. Rated: 3/4 Mar 27, 2002 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Jul 7, 2005 Full Review Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Rated: 3/5 Oct 14, 2002 Full Review Caffeinated Clint Moviehole Quite a morbid picture, but the performances save it Rated: 3/5 Sep 17, 2002 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (15) audience reviews
Audience Member A decent take on the Gilmore story. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member He was worth more dead than he ever was alive. This is one of the most emotional films ever created. Enough said, this is a powerhouse. The Story: Gary Gilmore is sentenced to die in 1977. It's a battle of ethics and a race against time, as his youngest brother only has one week to stop it. Do you save the life of a loved one, or are you just interfering with his right to die? Growing up, never really knowing each other, this is the story of two brothers finally getting the chance to get to know each other... But it's too late. It's based on the true story of Gary Gilmore and is a true cinematic work of art. The lighting style, and the cinematography are amazing here. The Cast: Giovanni Ribisi, Elias Koteas... There's not enough words in the english dictionary to describe how great these two act together. Perfectly cast as Gilmores baby brother, Giovanni Ribisi plays the part with more conviction here than ever before. You'll definitely feel his pain and sorrow as he struggles to understand his brother and fights to make the right decision. Elias Koteas plays Gary Gilmore, playing it superbly, he's an actor that should be seen more often. I guarantee you're going to feel his anger, his frustration, and even what little happiness he has. These two will break your heart, and if you don't feel it than you must the coldest person alive. One to Five Scale: 5 This is probably one of the hardest ones to find from my list of movies to see. It's an HBO original from 2001, and somehow managed to get my hands on a copy of it on DVD, used for about five dollars... So good luck finding it... And if you do find it, DON'T HESITATE TO PICK IT UP!!! You won't be disappointed by this one. Tyler Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Very interesting film. Based on a book, which gives me the reason as to why it was made. As a film though, what's the message it's trying to give? I don't know. As much as I've thought about it. I was just put off by the heavy Mormon content. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member maybe somewhat interesting for some as its about a prisoner on death row who?s family wants to try to get him to change his mind about his death sentence. (not electric chair some other way) Giovanni Rimbisi (sp?) plays the youngest son & the jail bird I think was the eldest of 3-4 brothers. The movie takes place (if I remember right) in the 70s. The mother loves Johnny Cash as well as at least one of the sons. To my surprise Paul Wesley (aka Stephan Salvatore of Vampire Diaries) plays the eldest bro when he was in his teens/20s. There?s a pic at the end of it where he looks like one of the NJ Devils players the way he?s smiling.) anyway I didn?t fall asleep but to me it was kind of boring BUT it was interesting. D Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member I remember shooting this in baltimore maryland when i was six years old. You can see me in this trailer in the quick flashback to the courtroom seen when amy is talking about being the mother of a killer. I played mikal as a child in the flashbacks watching my brother being convicted. Amy madigan threw me a party on my last day of filming on the set. Wow, its great to still find a trace of this movie lol im on my ipod typing this lol Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member This film is based on the beautifully written book by the same name. It illuminates the effects violence and crime have not only on the victims' family, but the perpetrator's as well. The book is much better but the performances and soundtrack bring life to the story. Giovanni Ribisi is golden. You'll want to reach through the screen and take him into your arms...Eric Bogosian is well- Eric Bogosian. Watching this movie made me want to see Talk Radio again and reread Sam Shepard's Motorcycle Chronicles. The soundtrack does much to capture the heart of the movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Shot in the Heart

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1977, Gary Gilmore (Elias Koteas) is convicted of murder and sentenced to die. Instead of fighting his sentence or working with his lawyers for a reduced punishment, Gilmore shocks the nation by insisting that his execution be completed as fast as possible. As activists and media types rally on either side of the ideological firestorm Gilmore has created, his brothers, including journalist Mikal (Giovanni Ribisi), seek out a stay of execution for Gary.
Director
Agnieszka Holland
Producer
Irene Burns, Nina Kostroff-Noble
Screenwriter
Mikal Gilmore, Frank Pugliese
Distributor
HBO
Production Co
Home Box Office (HBO), The Levinson/Fontana Company, Sync Sound Inc.
Rating
R (Language|Some Strong Violence), TV-MA
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 13, 2001, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Jun 1, 2004
Runtime
1h 39m