Lawless Heart (2001)--3/5

The cover image (of a woman stripping) and title of “Lawless Heart” make it look like a Skinemax “Red Shoe Diaries” rip-off. Instead, it’s a puzzle of a movie concerning three men in the aftermath of an acquaintance’s death. Yes, the cover model is in the movie—as a minor character. The reason she’s on the cover? Bill Nighy’s a fine actor, just not really a sex symbol.

At Stuart’s funeral, we meet Dan (Nighy), Nick (Tom Hollander), and Tim (Douglas Henshall). They are Stuart’s brother-in-law, lover, and long lost friend, respectively. After the first half hour, chronicling the married Dan’s attraction to a French shop owner, the film starts again at the funeral, following Nick through the same period of time. Tim’s story likewise follows suit. The effect is not unlike that of “Noises Off;” confusing and/or barely seen moments from the beginning are (often poignantly) explained later.

“Lawless Heart” adds up to an overstuffed, well-meaning, and superbly acted character study. It’s less than the sum of its parts.

If one doesn’t know the central gimmick of the film, the first rewind to the beginning will be jarring because Dan’s first third of the story is smart and subtly written. It could feasibly be feature-length.