It wasn't awful in the Ed Wood sense of the word awful. It just draaaagged-- as if the actors had taken some very strong downers. The dialog was unintentionally funny, because it was so predictable and not too well written--plus, the lead actor who played the single dad named Terry, had this "I'm scared" look on his face throughout at least 75% of this film. For the remaining 25% of the movie, he looked like as though he was always about to burst into tears.

Loosley (an understatement) based story on Poe's The Tell Tale Heart. This is a prime example of ruining a literary masterpiece of horror. Poe,(if alive)would've driven a stake through the screenwriter's heart, then buried him under the floor boards. The flick portrayed the story as kind of a horror, suspense, action mish mosh. Unfortunately, there was little of any horror, suspense or action. It had the overall feel of some "made for TV" mega flop. In the film, there was a surprise here and there, but no big deal. We've seen 'em before in other movies. Nothing seemed to gel here, it was like eating runny jello in it's early cooling stages before it firms up. It's all sloppy and difficult to get on a spoon to eat. Too frustrating and not worth the effort. Watch this movie only if you are on Quaaludes.

This one feels disconnected and rambling at times and at other times it is a rather effective Horror Movie with enough interest to keep things pumping along. The exposition is the trouble in this sometimes disturbing display that could have been cooked up by an early David Cronenberg.

Things are a bit unclear at times and some more clarity and explanations are called for as the separation between the Audience and the Film oscillates drawing one with a caring for the Characters but motivations and situations are frustratingly vague.

The transplanted Heart beneath the chest-boards of the Protagonist is the Paranormal tie to Poe, but that is inconsequential here and only matters in an off-handed Title and that's where it stays, unless you count the thump-thump-thump-thump. By itself, this is grizzly enough for Gore-Hounds and the Physical Maladies of the Father-Daughter are both empathetic and unsettling.

Worth a View for Fans of the Horrific and the Creepy, but those looking for tight Crime elements and want more definition to the proceedings may be disappointed.

Terry Bernard (Josh Lucas) is in love with his daughter's doctor Elizabeth Clemson (Lena Headey). He had a heart transplant. He has visions from his pounding heart. He recognizes the paramedic attacking him in the vision and tries to confront him. A fight ensues and Terry accidentally kills him. He discovers the identity of the heart donor and contacts police detective Phillip Van Doren (Brian Cox) who investigated the case. He uncovers a dark conspiracy and a secret pointed right at his heart.

This is suppose to be a reworking of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart". I didn't really get the reference the first time I watched it. There's a reason for that. Terry is not guilty of anything. That's the whole point of the Poe story but I guess the writer missed that. The hearts of the two stories are completely different.

I love all three main actors but the story lacks intensity. The mystery of the story is never really in doubt. It's simply about the identity of the villains. It would have worked a lot better if Terry paid for the heart.