Eric Stoneheart
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27/05/2023 until 12/06/2023
Eric Stoneheart is my first taste of Estonian film, and it won’t be my last! It tackles the difficult topics of death and loss, which are uncommon in children’s literature. Doing so, the authors avoid the trap of soppy pathos while still showing empathy for the child. Maria comes to accept the reality of her mother’s death and the story comes to a happy ending when the two headbutting protagonists become friends, their family relationships are rejuvenated, and Erik Stoneheart can simply become a boy named Erik.
Erik is convinced he has a stone for a heart. That’s why he doesn’t mind that his parents have no time for him, or that he is bullied at school, or that he has no real friends. When his family moves to a house they inherited, he is confronted by Maria whom Erik’s parents want to kick out along with her father. Maria refuses to move and promises to make Erik’s life a living hell. As a last attempt to defeat Erik, Maria goes to look for her mother who disappeared two years ago. Together they end up on a fantastical journey to the In-Between-World and Erik learns how hard it really is to wear a heart of stone.
A word of warning, there are some scenes at the start of the film that might scare some children, and perhaps the in-between-world might not be for everyone. Fortunately, there's a lot of comedy and heart to balance the darker moments.
Florin Gussak as Maria and her mother played by Laura Peterson-Aardam easily stand out for their performances, and Aunt Brunhilda (Claire Johnston) is the next best thing encapsulated in a painting. You would have to see the film to find out what I mean.
Erik Stoneheart may have clunky dialogue, incidental bad line delivery, and other minor flaws, but these are mostly overshadowed by touching messages that make the film compulsive watching.
I loved the feeling of adventure that permeates throughout the movie thanks to the sensitive handling of the subject matter.
Eric Stoneheart is a delight from start to finish and even though there are a few technical problems, the film’s message, and ‘heart’ eclipse those. Recommended family viewing!
Reviewed by Barry Hill OAM