Reviewed by Melissa Garza
“Her Heart Still Beats” is a modern retelling of Edgar Allen Poe’s short story, “The Tell-Tale Heart.” The short opens with the main character, Ed (Fiore Leo) reciting in a slight modification and in a confession style the beginning of Poe’s story. Though about his wife, rather than an old man, the premise is the same. Ed, growing suspicious or paranoid about his wife Sarah’s (Leighsa Burgin) eye, murders her.
After the opening soliloquy, Ed is seen typing on his computer. Sara comes out to say hello, and that is when the change occurs. Whether it is in him – or in her – can be decided by the viewer or perhaps was already decided years ago by Poe himself. Whatever the case, Ed notices the difference. It’s her eye. Something is wrong with it– at least to him – at least in his mind.
She brushes it off as just an eyelash in her eye. He doesn’t believe her. He can’t help but think there is something sinister, but after a confrontation he forces himself to outwardly calm down while inwardly the insanity – or is it heightened awareness – is in overdrive.
Later in the evening, he attempts to be kinder but can’t help to look at her eye. In the morning, he is obsessed. His head is in pain with the images of the oddity that he sees in his mind which to an observer –even the image seen is just an eye.
Any lover of Poe will be impressed by both the take on his tale and the performance by both Leo and Burgin. One can only wish it was longer and that the Ed’s descent was shown more ferociously as there is no doubt that Leo could have delivered as he had throughout the short production.
Poe’s imagination, his stories and poetry are timeless. The feelings and emotions that were expressed are as relevant now as they were then. Maybe it was his own level of disturbed nature that kept his tales of horror so understandable and real.
There have been many adaptions of his work over the years and many successful horror films that stayed true to his vision while making modern takes. Whether “The Black Cat,” “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar,” “The Cask of Amontillado” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” – the list goes on and on, Poe’s diabolically brilliant mind has been revisited by the best, and sadly sometimes the worst.
It is always a pleasure to see the movies that are inspired by Poe when they provide the same sensation one gets while reading his work. This short does just that and should be sought out. I look forward to any upcoming productions from this talented group.
Scared Stiff Rating: 9/10 – Poe would be proud
