Heartbreakers

Blue is an angry young artist, facing up to the departure of his long-time girlfriend. His greatest buddy is Eli, a handsome, reluctant rich boy desperate to be in love. Written and directed with tremendous assurance, Roth's first commercial feature deals with the close friendships splintered by the competitive instincts of dissatisfied souls, and the secret jealousies and impulsive attractions that cause the greatest wounds. There are brilliant lead performances from Coyote and Mancuso; fine too are Laure, and Laurenson as a campy art dealer. Add a pulsating Tangerine Dream score and Michael Ballhaus' glowing photography, and the result is an emotional cocktail that is provocative, touching and witty as hell.