There are many difficult and harrowing scenes in this film as we follow this child on a path that would physically and emotionally drain even the most hardened of adults. The scenes where Jeremiah was sexually abused are tastefully handled (as best as a film can 'tastefully' depict child rape, anyway) but the scenes are still very hard to watch.
I know there is controversy in the story because it was supposedly based on a true-life novel only for the author J.T. LeRoy to confess it was all a lie. However, who really cares as while LeRoy may not have suffered, in reality, there are no doubt thousands of real Jeremiahs out there who have been let down by their pathetic-excuses of parents and social services.
This film may not be about LeRoy but it is about these other children who are abused and worn down every day. The quality of the acting is excellent though. Asia Argento, who plays Jeremiah's mother Sarah as well as scripting and directing this film, gave a solid performance as this selfish, unlikeable woman who has no concept of what she is doing to her poor son. However, it is the children who out-class everyone. Playing the role of seven-year-old Jeremiah, Jimmy Bennett is brilliant in depicting this innocent little child who is frightened, alone and in pain and doesn't know what he has done to deserve this. Cole and Dylan Sprouse share the role of ten-year-old Jeremiah and through them we see a boy who is jaded by what has happened yet still retains a sense of childish innocence.
During many parts of this film, it is very hard to watch. The child in this film is mentally and physically abused in one way or another throughout most of it. The film offers no hope or redemption for any of the characters. It is merely a glimpse into what one child's life is like who is constantly abused. And thus, it is utterly depressing. However, if Argento had changed the story to make it an easier to watch, I wouldn't respect the film as much.This film is NOT for everyone. I think the person going into the film should keep an open mind and, more importantly, have a strong stomach.
THE HEART IS DECEITFUL