‘Heart’ a Moody, Sexy Fable About the ‘Perfect’ Woman

Argentine filmmaker Eliseo Subiela’s “Man Facing Southeast,” a tragedy of faith and betrayal, made a memorable impression in 1987 with its gentle hero, a mental institution patient radiant in his belief that he is a data-gatherer from outer space.

Subiela has followed it up with another ambiguous and surreal fable, the beautiful, meditative “The Dark Side of the Heart,” which is more concerned with emotions than the spirit but is similarly poetic in style.

Indeed, “The Dark Side of the Heart” was inspired by the work but not the life of Oliver Girondo and quotes from poetry by others as well. It is a gorgeous, moody, drenchingly romantic movie reminiscent in atmosphere--but not tone--of such late ‘30s French films as “Port of Shadows.” It is also, however, darkly amusing and decidedly sexy.

Dario Grandinetti, a kind of Latin Tommy Lee Jones, stars as Oliverio, a virile, brooding Buenos Aires poet who hangs out with a couple of other vital, charismatic bohemians, one a sculptor of outrageous sexual symbolism (Jean-Pierre Reguerraz), the other a French Canadian--an intellectual (Andre Melancon) when he’s not searching for the perfect woman. By Oliverio’s definition she is one who can cause them to fly while they’re making love.

He has a little speech he recites to every likely woman he meets, listing all the physical defects a woman could have that would mean nothing to him provided she is possessed of that one extraordinary gift. Amusingly, Oliverio never hits upon ugly women, and in fact his most promising candidate is a notably stunning young Montevideo prostitute, Ana (Sandra Ballesteros). However, he is stalked--and tempted--by another beauty, Death (Nacha Guevara).

Oliverio and Ana’s lovemaking is so scorching that by the time they’re flying through the air with the greatest of ease he has fallen deeply in love. Although Ana is clearly responsive to Oliverio’s ardor, she remains a hard-headed businesswomen, too practical to fall in love with a john, no matter how attractive or accomplished a lover he may be.

What Subiela, as skilled with actors as he is in creating distinct images, is revealing in this intoxicatingly lush and sensual movie is the simple truth that Oliverio, like a couple of zillion other men, needs to grow up. “The Dark Side of the Heart” isn’t as profound as “Man Facing Southeast”--or doesn’t seem to mean to be--yet is in its way just as witty and enthralling.

* MPAA rating: Unrated. Times guidelines: The film includes some nudity, much lovemaking, much blunt language and is decidedly not for children.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

‘The Dark Side of the Heart’

Dario Grandinetti: Oliverio

Sandra Ballesteros: Ana

Nacha Guevara: Death

Jean-Pierre Reguerraz: Gustavo

Andre Melancon: Erik

A Film Tonic release of a co-production of CQ3 Films/MaxFilms. Writer-director Eliseo Subiela. Producers Subiela, Roger Frappier. Cinematographer Hugo Colace. Editor Marcela Saenz. Costumes Patricia Pernia. Music Osvaldo Montes. Production designer Margarita Jusid. In Spanish, with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour, 58 minutes.

* Exclusively at the Nuart, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd., West Los Angeles, (310) 478-6379.