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Poster for Map of the Human Heart

Map of the Human Heart

Born in the magic of youth. Forged by the passions of war. Their love knew no boundaries.

1993 · 1h 49m · R Adventure, Drama, Romance, War
Directed by Vincent Ward

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Overview

In an Arctic village in 1931, British mapmaker Walter Russell selects 12-year-old Eskimo Avik as his guide. When the boy contracts tuberculosis, Walter flies him to a Montreal hospital, where Avik meets Albertine and is infatuated. A decade later, a grown Avik encounters Albertine again in London, where he's serving as a British combat pilot. Despite her relationship with Walter, she and Avik begin an affair.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
80%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Even by Mr. Ward's own high standards in the area of idiosyncrasy, this is a daringly peculiar tale.

Janet Maslin, New York Times
Fresh

A film of incantatory intensity and moment by a prodigiously gifted young filmmaker.

Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Rotten

Despite its historical surrounding and a few stabs at thematic depth, Map of the Human Heart has all the flavor and plot complexity of a Harlequin romance.

James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Fresh

The best movies seem to reinvent themselves as they move along, not drawing from worn-out sources, and Map of the Human Heart is one of the year's best films.

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

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