The Lawless Heart

Colour, 35mm
United Kingdom, 2001, 86 min
Section: Another View

Synopsis

This film comprises three stories which begin together at the funeral of a man named Stuart. We follow their various responses to this momentous event – Dan who was the brother-in-law of the deceased, his lover Nick, and his best friend Tim. All of them are affected by his death and this prompts them to look back on their lives. Dan is a faithful, loving father and husband, but feels attracted by a new-comer in town, the free-thinking French woman Corinne. The despairing Nick, however, tries to forget his boyfriend and befriends a young woman, a friendship he believes to be innocent enough until he is taken unawares by the feelings which start to stir in him. After eight years, Tim returns to town, still looking for “something” which would bring order and direction to his life, only to find that she lives to his own backyard. This formally highly unusual film is a witty and touching comedy about love, friendship, death and the chances life brings.

About the director

Neil Hunter (b. 1963) began working with Tom Hunsinger in 1992 when they made the short film Tell Me No Lies. Their feature debut Boyfriends won the prize for best film at the Festival of Lesbian and Gay Films in Turin in 1996. The Lawless Heart followed four years later. Neil Hunter is now working on two films; one is a comedy which again also involves Tom Hunsinger, and he is teaming up with Rupert Jones for Alexander the Great.