Gates of Heaven (1978)

It's not only about a pet cemetary...

It's not only about a pet cemetery -- It's really about you and me and there's even a minor exposé about ex-Salt Lake Citizens - Partially clad and partial return missionaries; see [...]. June 16, 2008

Very disapointing

I have great admiration for Roger Ebert, and almost always agree with his film criticism, but when he called Gates of Heaven one of the top ten films of all time, he was completely wrong. I bought this DVD because of Ebert's recomendation and after viewing it, I realized that I had wasted 20 bucks. I could have bought Bergman's Persona but bought this instead. I can't possibly imagine why so many intelligent people love this boring and seemingly pointless film. It was hard to sit through this one without falling asleep. Please don't waste your money on this DVD! February 8, 2008

Strange, Sad, Hilarious & Profound

This unique film represents not only the beginning of Earl Morris' career, but the finest look at the American obsession with the treatment and care of our pets.

The format is simple; we are introduced to a man whose dream of a pet cemetery has failed. The remains of those animals were sent to another pet cemetery that is flourishing. In between, we meet the owners of both cemeteries and some of the pet owners and hear stories on a variety of subjects. It's hard to categorize this documentary as a comedy or drama since the tone is so straightforward. But that allows "Gates of Heaven" to soar above such conventions and reach a level few films ever have.

Some of the interviews are quite funny and I think all of us can relate to a scene early in the film when an elderly lady is holding her dog near her face and asking him to sing. Another very bizarre image is the sight of a man player his electric guitar at full blast overlooking the pet cemetery.

I was particularly moved by the stories of the two sons of the successful pet cemetery owner. The younger one seems quite lonely living all by himself, yet he seems content while his older brother is in quite a conundrum. Having failed in previous businesses and now behind his sibling at the cemetery, he's still proud of the "positive mental approach" he's been taught over the years.

The most stunning moment happens midway through the film when another elderly lady sits in her doorway and relates the story of her deceased pet. She quickly shifts to describe her no good son and tells that story in a way that is so natural, yet using words and phrases that Mark Twain would probably admire and be in awe of.

The presentation of the movie is full screen, not widescreen. But given how the movie was shot and the type of film used, the viewer is not missing much on the edges. I was somewhat disappointed in the lack of extras, such as no interview with Earl Morris. Or even a text background on the making of "Gates of Heaven" which would give some enlightenment to the journey the filmmaker took in making this masterpiece.

No doubt there will be a expanded or "Ultimate" edition DVD released that will include such extras. But for now we have this version and that will do. May 14, 2006

Doggone

I love animals. I like documentaries. I respect Mr Ebert. Thus I bought Gates of Heaven when I saw it on his "10 BEST" list. Reading all the glowing reviews here, calling this "one of the best American movies ever", "breaking down and crying afterwards" etc, I suppose I am shallow, as I thought this was a boring, D-A-T-E-D, incoherent, S-L-O-W mishmash dotted here and there with some colourful characters and poignant images. I say "dated" because what seemed "wacky" and "bizarre" to people then, now feels like a bad mockumentry. I'd rather watch "BEST IN SHOW" , thank you very much. Just to put my view into perspective - I was deeply moved by the "UP series" (7-UP, etc), also on Mr Ebert's "10 BEST" list. I absolutely agree with his assessment and thank him for introducing me to those films. THIS one is at times charming, but on the whole very disappointing. January 21, 2006

Human Pathos and Vanity Make for a Comedy Cocktail

A man with an unsettling resemblance and voice to Elmer Fudd of Loony Tunes fame recounts his trauma of losing his Collie in a car collision. Almost on the verge of tears, this sentimental bovine soul begins his failed quest to create a pet cemetery in Los Altos, California. Legal snafus force the pets to be unearthed and transferred to another cemetery in Napa, which is headed by the real stars of the film, a family of New Age entrepreneurs, including an aged patriarch who wears a straw hat with feminine scarves. He bloviates about the wonders of capitalism and how it fuses with sanctiminious bromides about people and their pets. Then there is his wife who prides the cemetery for being all about "life and purity." Her sons, both lazy, vain types, extol their jobs as if they were rocket scientists saving Planet Earth. In particular, the oldest son, Phillip, is a banal narcissist who massages his ego by describing himself as a "motivational speaker" with an expertise in psychology. His expertise inspires him to say such gems as "If you intake negative thoughts, you'll outake negative thoughts. And if you take in postive thoughts, you'll bring out positive thoughts. . . . If you want to get real complex, there's an inbetween, a mix of positive and negative." Then with a look of self-regard, he adds, "This is what we call the gray area." He then describes his "dangerous mission," memorizing animal hospitals where he, a self-described "transportation engineer," picks up dead pets. Phillip discusses the "fear" of having to know the map routes of these animal hospitals. The self-aggrandizement and exaggerated importance he attaches to his lowly job makes for comedy that makes you cringe.

At times I feel guilty for laughing at these vain exploiters of those who are grieving over their dead dogs and cats, but they bloviate on and on and sort of dig themselves into a hole. You have to wonder if they have gained any wisdom in the last twenty years or so when this film was made, so that they can laugh at themselves.

In many ways, this documentary is even more poignant and outrageous than the film Best in Show. August 17, 2005

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