There is quite a lot of talk about 'karma' in this film. I undid the cardboard sleeve of Transit starring Jim Caviezel to watch it... and found Heaven's Burning lurking inside instead. Duty bound to see it, I stuck it on... and was quite simply blown away. I must have done something good somewhere. I can't imagine what, though.Due to slightly complex circumstances, Russell Crowe and Yuki Kudo are on the run from the police, Italian mobsters and the Japanese girl's estranged husband. Needless to say, there are a LOT of subtitles in this movie. During their road trip, they meet plenty of bizarre characters and find themselves in odd situations, while falling in love. Always being tracked by their unforgiving pursuers, of course...There's so much to admire here, I don't know where to start. The dialogue is witty, intelligent and all-knowing... especially regarding Australia and Japan relations. The action sequences are minimalist, but expertly shot... who needs a huge budget when you've got a director as talented as this? There is also, thank God, a rich vein of traditional Aussie humour running through which is HILARIOUS unlike say, the shallow stereotypes of something like Red Dog (And I promise NEVER to bring that... thing up in a review ever again).But most of all, it's the performance of one Yuki Kudo and her sizzling chemistry with Crowe that is the standout here. Don't get me wrong... he gives his all in a solid role, but she is the one who is simultaneously adorable and ruthless in an incredible display of acting. I would ask her to marry me, but 17 years later... Nah, she's probably too old. Shame (for her).So, an incredible film, and the biggest surprise since Luton Town almost winning promotion. And if you're reading this, you know that's a direct shout out to you... 8/10

Crowe in HB was for me a discovery similar, though on a smaller scale, to that of the brighter Rourke in A PRAYER …. Sublime romance, in the truest sense; strong performances from the leads. There are some amazing things in …--Crowe's father prophecies (the karma prophecy), etc.. Crowe himself was in his best shape (like Rourke in the aforementioned action drama, like Gibson in Payback ,like Spacey in The Big Kahuna ,1999). The movie is remarkable and original and shows its good writing from the first frames, from the first scene (the bank robbery, when one of the gangsters gets brusquely lifted up and trapped). It is good as romance, as action drama, as script. The dialogs are well—conceived. It is one of the best action dramas of the '90s. What stands up is the poetry, not the violence. The action is rich and multi-layered and following several threads—a vendetta, a racial confrontation that leads to interesting scenes. The semi—serious brio of some facts is sustained by the high sense of poetry and dramatic ascending ;even more, the characters are likable, distinct, interesting (Crowe, his father, the Japanese girl, the pursuer). Here is romanticism without schmaltz. Here is fun for those who enjoy lively films. As a dramatic hero, a cross of Gabin and Flynn, Crowe is perfect. He was exceedingly charming in a few other movies—but HB remains unequaled. His character is infinitely likable.HB is one of the hidden, _unremarked, unsung jewels of the action cinema.And this is Crowe's defining role.

This movie keeps you wondering what the outcome will be. It is about a man who has no commitment to anyone. He then finds himself in a bad situation. It escalates with him finding himself on the run. He rescues a woman. He doesn't know what to do with her but ends up having feeling for her. It has many elements to the film, including suspense, action, and romance. It makes a great movie for both men and women. Make sure to watch this one. It's a great film.

I watched this film on free to air TV last night after watching Proof of Life(Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan, 2000).I had never heard of the movie before and spent half of it trying to guess when it was made!1997 was the year and Russell appears to really enjoy playing with this dark story with some relish.Whilst I am sure he played the character to the best of his ability at the time,I reckon it was with a sly grin that he read the script and realised that this script would not come around again,so now's the time...No one should take it too serious...It is the sort of movie I would write...lolCheers