Playing by Heart

Rating:
Summary: Not to be missed
Review: In a strange turn of events, the ending of 'Playing by Heart' will have you wondering what you missed during the first hour and fifteen minutes of the movie. The story centers on several pairs of people, four couples, a mother and son and in a very strange and perplexing role, Dennis Quaid playing several different characters in several different scenes. His work in these scenes shines and harkens back to his glory days, reassuring us that his career is not over by any means. Another stand out role is Angelina Jolie, in one her first appearances. She absolutely radiates and steals every scene, leaving Ryan Philipee and his subtle performance in the dust. Not that it's a bad thing. Her character is sassy and full of life, where his is downtrodden, solitary and dark. Other stories involve a married couple approaching their 40th anniversary dealing with mortality and a bad memory from the past. Gillian Anderson and Jon Stewart play career individuals who are trying to get through awkward moments of their first dates. It's nice to see Anderson play a role that is insecure and troubled rather then her well known persona on X-Files where she is strong and confident. The stories play out their seperate plots and eventually climax with a emotional and uplifting finale that makes anyone whos ever been in a relationship feel something for all these people. I highly recommend this movie.

Rating:
Summary: Perfection? Pretty close
Review: This is possibly the best movie I have ever seen. This movie ties in the stories of many, all eventually connecting in one spectacular plot. Each actor/actress did so incredibly wonderful in each role that this movie shines in a way very few others have hopes of doing. With great focus on the story at hand without the distraction of irrelevant details, the only complaint I have about this movie is that it didn't last longer. With so much to tell, the plot could have been divided into 4 or 5 different movies. I really hope that they release a Special Edition with extras in the near future.

Rating:
Summary: It will surprise you how decent this film is
Review: Honestly, I only rented this movie because Angelina Jolie is a goddess and if she were in a telephone booth, I would take it home and watch it. But this movie was actually pretty decent! I'll qualify that in a moment, but for the time being, I'll say this: if you're an Angelina fan, you should see her make her mark in an unlikely charmer of a romantic comedy and satisfy your conscience by realizing that you love her not only because she's hotter than hell, but also because she really is an amazingly unique talent.

Okay, the movie. Decent, as I said. It's got its problems, as do most things like this. First of all is pace: because the movie is a series of intertwined vignettes, some story lines are naturally more compelling than others. What results is a start-stop-start jolt to the movie that can mostly be forgiven on account of an all-star cast. Second of all is the all-star cast: the cast is ultimately bigger than the film is, which isn't an explicit problem except to a director who believes that every film is the sum of all the stars who make up its parts. In the end, there is a feeling that a lot of the talent was wasted on roles that were too small and too trite. The upside is that in this relatively small film, all of the parts are well acted, which saves a tenuously interwoven film from falling flat on its face. The third, and perhaps most unforgivable, problem is the script: because it is painfully chunky in parts, I imagine it only could have taken one or two read-throughs to realize that when words get stuck in people's mouths, it's because people don't normally talk that way. Well-written dialogue doesn't necessarily translate into being a well-written screenplay, and it kills some parts of the movie that could actually have been fantastic. The comedy of the script is usually artfully subtle (one of the movie's strengths), but the parts where it gets a bit chunky and heavy-handed with the symbolism are contrived and overwrought with Willard Carroll's pervasive self-loving.

That said, it's a movie that makes you feel pretty good after having watched it, but it is frustrating that the best cast parts -- Angelina Jolie, Jon Stewart, Gillian Anderson -- are confined to such small segments of the film. Each vignette has a lot to offer if you care to think about the movie deeply enough, and you have to admire this very humble and well-intentioned film.

Rating:
Summary: A rare, satisfying gem
Review: This movie is fabulous, as it flawlessly portrays the drama, the complexities and, most importantly, the beauty of love. The director seamlessly weaves in and out of the tales of relationships of several different couples.

Joan and Keenan are young fledgling lovers who meet in a nightclub under rather humourous, unique and intriguing circumstances.

Meredith and Trent are battling with the issues involved in middle-aged dating and how to overcome past demons.

Hannah and Paul have been married for years, and are now confronting a crucial turning-point in their not-so-perfect marriage.

Mildred and Mark, a mother-and-son pairing, tear-jerkingly come to terms with the reality of a terminal illness.

Gracie and Roger are using sexual compatibility to disguise emotional loneliness.

And Hugh disguises emotional loneliness in a different way - he ventures out into the world, trying to make something of himself using the only talent he knows.

In essence, the director is to be commended for his skilled use of cinematography, dialogue and music to portray the funny, tender, dramatic and often brutally honest side of love, in all its forms. The actors are by no means amateurs, and bring both depth and realism to their roles.

Overall, most people would be hard-pressed to find flaw with this film. Women and teenage girls will revel in the romance. Men will probably be amused and entertained by the honesty and humour portrayed. And any sentimental soul will probably shed a tear here or there, as they experience the subtle power of this film.

Starring Angelina Jolie, Ryan Phillippe, Gillian Anderson, Ellen Burstyn, Jay Mohr, Dennis Quaid, Sean Connery, Gena Rowlands, Madeleine Stowe and Anthony Edwards, this film is rated M15+, but in terms of sexual references and occasional coarse language, it would probably be considered an R on the net. However, any mature teenager under the age of 15 could handle it.

It's difficult to find fault with this movie, and the unexpected twists and turns and ultimate unexpected (or perhaps expected, for the more perceptive) linking of characters will leave you stunned and, I believe, moved.

This film is refreshing, honest, full of vitality, warmth, humour and tenderness that will leave almost everybody satisfied.

P.S Please write to the producers if you know where to find them - beg them to release the DVD in Australia. It's tearing me apart! It's one of my favourite movies.

Rating:
Summary: This is the movie I ALWAYS recommend
Review: This is the movie I always recommend, no matter who asks. My teenaged daughters and their friends have enjoyed as well as my friends and co-workers. I have watched this movie many times and find a little something more each time.

The story appears at first to be a series of unrelated stories that begin and end aburptly, leaping from one set of characters to another randomly. Gradually a pattern begins to emerge and connections begin to appear, some I anticipated but others caught me totally off guard. The various relationships - couples, parent/child, siblings, in-laws - all ring true. These are characters that draw a viewer into their lives.

It would be difficult to say who 'stars' in this film. The cast is packed with well-known actors, Gillian Anderson, Ellen Burstyn, Sean Connery, Anthony Edwards, Angelina Jolie, Jay Mohr, Ryan Phillippe, Dennis Quaid, Gena Rowlands, Jon Stewart and Madeleine Stowe. All give stellar performances but none dominate the movie or distract from the story.

There is no violence, some profanity and sexual situations but nothing graphic or excessive. The only flaw I see in this gem is after having nearly every character in this film repeat the line about "talking about love is like dancing about architecture" why did they change the title from the original 'Dancing About Architecture' to the very forgettable 'Playing By Heart'?

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant surprise
Review: Witty and very entertaining! I didn't even know this movie existed and it certainly looked like a 'chic flick'. Well, this will certainly be a hit with the ladies but I found the movie to be very good. It could be due to the fact that I watched this right after 'TimeCop 2', so the comparison could be playing in its favor.
Anyways, I highly recommended it.

Rating:
Summary: EXQUISITE.
Review: I don't often shower all the 5 stars in my reviews here at Amazon, but this precious film deserves 6!

An amazing star cast, a theme that will have you guessing until the end how all the entertaining but diverse vignettes are connected, some very mature and intelligent humour, and above all some enchantingly memorable and sincere dialog about life, relationships, love.

Mind you, none of the characters is in a simple straightforward predicament. Angelina Jolie especially pitches in an absolutely stunning performance, although everyone is convincing and memorable in their role.

What a cleverly crafted movie. You know the satisfaction you feel when you've just had a complete meal, that's what I'll bet you'll feel.

Highly recommended absorbing film, for *owning*, not just for seeing once. It's one of those.

Rating:
Summary: I LOVE this movie
Review: I really, don't know what to say, this is my all-time favorite movie! Great cast, great storyline, and not so romantic that the man in your life will be able to enjoy it! A must see for anyone who was, is, or ever has been in love!

Rating:
Summary: Know thyself
Review: This movie is awesome! If you're into deep, conceptual movie plots this is good movie for you to see. The first time I rented this movie I watched it three times in a row. The message this movie sends is powerful and uplifting.

Rating:
Summary: fabulous
Review: I have raved about this amazingly well-crafted film to everyone I know. I've watched it over and over and the dynamics never cease to amaze me, and small details pop up that I hadn't noticed before.