Adapted from Rolling Stone writer Mikal Gilmore's 1995 book, Shot in the Heart chronicles Mikal's attempts to reconcile with his estranged brother Gary (Elias Koteas) in the final days before the latter was executed for murder in 1977. During a series of emotional meetings, Mikal (Giovanni Ribisi) wrestles not only with the struggle to understand this brother who committed such heinous crimes, but also with the question of whether he should help pursue a stay of execution. Flashbacks to their tumultuous home life with an abusive father (Sam Shepard) and feckless mother (Amy Madigan) dig deeper into the roots of violence within this explosive family. Ribisi effectively captures the conflicted Mikal, while the intense Koteas convincingly etches a troubled Gary (although he does not eclipse Tommy Lee Jones' flamboyant portrayal in 1982's The Executioner's Song). Recommended. (T. Rich)
Shot in the Heart
HBO, 97 min., R, VHS: $50.95, DVD: $24.98 Volume 17, Issue 4
Shot in the Heart
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