Returning To Theaters: The Burnt Orange Heresy Review – Excellent, Intriguing, Riveting

Details

Category: Indies, Docs, Foreign Film

Published on Tuesday, 03 March 2020 22:31

Written by Janet Walker

The Burnt Orange Heresy, from Sony Pictures Classic, presents a twisted crime drama as a wealthy art collector hires an unlucky art critic to steal a rare painting when ambition takes over propelling him to the point of no return.

Directed by Giuseppe Capotondi, The Burnt Orange Heresy stars Claes Bang, Elizabeth Debicki, Mick Jagger, Donald Sutherland, Alessandro Fabrizi, and Rosalind Halstead. Scott B. Smith and Charles Willeford served as writers.

Onward Review – Entertaining, Engaging, Captivating

Set in Milan, the film begins with James Figueras, played by Claes Bang, memorizing a presentation, as we find out he essentially entertains tourists who have a cursory interest in art and the lectures we find out are always the same. He has made a name for himself, published his ideas and opinions on the world of art. His few credentials withstand public scrutiny although when a more thorough inquiry is performed, we find he has a few indiscretions and a professional bump, which may have been easily ironed out in a different time.

Today, we see him in action as lecturer, his English accent, hypnotically seductive and charming, it exudes warmth. The audience of elderly tourists, mostly Americans on the trip of a lifetime, visiting the museums to hear from a real-world famous art critic. Nearing the end of the lecture, a wanderer, an unusual addition, young, single, intriguing, and we meet Berenice Hollis, played by Elizabeth Debicki.

The two trade sharp, rapier, exchanges, bruising for a first meeting. Of course, the intrigue is too much for either as the next scenes has them engaging in an afternoon tumble. As she, an American in Italy, and he a charming, essentially, stranger, the European experience was definitively fulfilling.

Greed Review – Inviting, A Front Row Seat for the Ultra Luxurious Lifestyle

As she prepares to depart, he explains he has been invited to the estate of the Art Dealer Joseph Cassidy, played by Mick Jagger, for the weekend and would she like to accompany him. So, what began as an afternoon interlude has now turned into a weekend with possibility.

Arriving at Lake Como, Italy, they settle in and are soon deeply engaged in conversation with Mr. Cassidy. We find of all that Mr. Cassidy possess, his vast collection is missing a Debney, as in Jerome Debney, one of most enigmatic painters of all time.

We find as Mr. Cassidy explains, Jerome Debney, played by Donald Sutherland, resides in a small cottage on his property. Each day he sits at the pool and stares at the color of blue. It is at this time an agreement is formalized.

Like clockwork, the next morning Mr. Debney appears at the poolside and after introductions, he explains of course the reason for their visits and what he will and won’t permit. Again, we find Mr. Figueras at a loss, as his seductive charm fails, he is forced to consent to the terms presented by Mr. Debney or forfeit the opportunity for an interview with the most reclusive painter of his generation.

The Call of The Wild Review – Majestic, Breathtaking, Perfect

I very much enjoyed The Burnt Orange Heresy. It is intriguing, suspenseful, shocking, a riveting crime drama with exceptional performances, an A-List supporting cast that weaves the conspiracy and drives the narrative.

There are exceptional moments, even as the entire film is captivating, when the facades fade on each of the four characters and the truthfulness of their characters are realized, when they have captured the essence of what was once simply words on a page.

The Gentlemen Review – Solid, Gritty, A Mix of Chaos, Crime and Civility

The dialogue, sharp, well written, of course of a certain intellectual nature, nuances, metaphors and the meaning behind the words, more than simply the words.

With exteriors shots of Lake Como, Italy which is beautiful, Milan and New York City, the film is layered with the celebrated fame and virtuosity of the international art world.

The Burnt Orange Heresy, a sharp, intellectual thriller, opens Friday, March 6, 2020. See this film.