Heartlands

Rating:
Summary: Heart Music
Review: A charming, non-sentimental, lovely road movie. An indie feel to it which brought to mind my reaction to the wonderful STATION AGENT--at least in terms of the believable, warm, slightly oddball characters. The lead actor, Michael Sheen, seems a UK version of Alfred E. Newman a bit but charming as can be. The wonderful characters he meets as he mopeds to Blackpool to confront his straying and disillusioned wife are a joy. Most of all one is seized emotionally by the canny use of the music of the great Kate Rusby and John McCusker which fill the film. Kate even appears in person in HEARTLANDS. Buy the film, buy the HEARTLANDS soundtrack album, by everything Kate Rusby has ever done (including her recent concert cd, LIVE FROM LEEDS). All are joys.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Movie
Review: Heartlands is wonderful. It is beautifully shot and remarkably well acted. The movie made me laugh out loud - twice - without having to resort to potty jokes or sloppy slap stick humor. It also made me cry, not because it is an intrinsically sad film, but because it is in part the story of Everyman. Unless a person is remarkably dull or a recluse, there will be moments in this film that could have been taken from the pages of anyone's life. Granted the characters and situations are a bit larger, if not more colorful, than one might typically expect to encounter, it is Michael Sheen's (Colin) ability to humanize them that touches.

Without spoiling things for people who haven't seen the film, there is a scene in this movie that will stick with me forever. It is so full of simple, unburdened joy that anyone who sees it will be instantly both amused and completely charmed.

Call me Quixote, as I am off in search of windmills.....

Rating:
Summary: not your ordinary movie
Review: heartlands portrays Collin, a sad faithful husband who love his wife more than anything. Unfortunately his wife is a cheater and run away with one of his friend to blackpool for a dart game tournament.

The beauty of this film begins when Collin start his journey in order to win his wife back. Along his journey on his funny Honda motorcycle, Collin meet a lot of helpfull characters who make him see that there's a lot of things in the world better than his wife.

the ending is beautifully wrap up, which bring refreshment to your movie collection.

Rating:
Summary: What a beautiful movie
Review: I watched it, and almost turned it off after the first 5 minutes but gave it time as some movies start out a bit slow. What a beautifully shot movie, with gorgeous scenery, and a nice simple story. I enjoyed it so much, and liked that the end wasn't as I had expected. I came away after watching that movie, feeling good. Its a simple feel good movie, and I think you learn something from Colin, the main character, as he has learned from all the folks he met through the movie. Oh, and the comparison to Full Monty? No idea how...other than Steve Addy being in both movies, there are no similarities in any way. Very odd...Oh, and the music? Awesome, I bought the best of CD for Kate Rusby last nite after watching and listening to her. Shes a folk singer that performs most of the songs in the movie...

Rating:
Summary: Blissfully quirky . . .
Review: Set somewhere in northern England, this working-class road movie shares some of the same territory as "Full Monty," but it's in a class all by itself. Though it concerns the song-of-experience theme of betrayal and infidelity, it's a PG-13 song of innocence about a woolly-haired young man whose hero is a national darts champion. His journey to a getting-of-wisdom takes him on a moped along narrow two-lane roads and across rolling countryside, where the people he encounters open a world to him he never knew existed.

Almost lost among the oafish, inconsiderate and embittered people, young and old, who surround him, he finds good reason to be touched by those capable of appreciating him. Instead of spoiling his innocence, his experience of this world only seems to deepen it. Michael Sheen as Colin is wonderful, his smile beatific, and his face registering a remarkable range of emotions. If it's possible to put a lump in your throat, this feel-good movie will do it.


Rating:
Summary: very charming, gentle and beautifully shot film
Review: The story follows a kind and gentle man (watching characters mistreat him is a little like watching someone kick a dog, you really feel for this guy) as he decides to follow his wife to Blackpool (England) and try to win her back after she leaves with another man. This central premise sets up the road trip that allows him to experience a certain amount of growth, and encounter a few characters who are so well written and acted that despite the limited screen time they feel quite real.

The end isn't quite what you'd expect, but I won't give it away, and by the time we get there, we've been treated to a multitude of small, excellent moments (some involving no words, as Colin sees things on the road) and a cast of great, very human characters. This film is unpretentious, yet unexpectedly charming, meaningful and beautiful. It moves suddenly and unexpectedly (yet smoothly) between comedy and drama, just like life.

Not for folks who want explosions, but for those who want to walk away from a film having seen a little chunk of life. Oh, and forget the Full Monty comparison the marketing people came up with, that makes little sense.

Rating:
Summary: fresh air
Review: What a refreshing film. O'Donnell has no reservations about telling a story with artistry and care. The acting is exceptional, though forced at parts. However, the cinematography truly steals the screen. Of course, its probably not hard to find a good shot in the English countryside. Probably the best part about this film, though, is the music. Kate Rusby's voice seems to be able to tell the film's story without even trying. A work of art.