American Heart (1993)

Beautiful, moving film.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

An ex-convict (Jeff Bridges) is tracked down by his estranged teenage son (Edward Furlong), and the pair try to build a relationship and life together in Seattle.Elements of the screenplay for "American Heart" were based on material originally covered in the director's prior documentary film "Streetwise" (1984), such as the relationship between Dewayne and his father. Having not seen the earlier film, I cannot comment on the connection any more than that.Not surprisingly, Edward Furlong won an award for this, and Jeff Bridges is as great as ever (he is quite the natural). It is a shame that Furlong went on to a more questionable future. One cannot help but wonder if the early success tainted his later life.

Showing off hair and muscles made to cover romance novels, convicted bank robber Jeff Bridges (as Jack Kelson) is washing up in a public bathroom when his 14-year-old son Edward Furlong (as Nick Kelson) enters. Young Furlong wants to live in Seattle with his newly-paroled father. After unsuccessfully trying to get the kid to go back to his aunt's farm, Mr. Bridges relents. They move into a cheap apartment and Bridges gets a job washing windows. His sleazy ex-partner in crime Don Harvey (as Rainey) tries to get Bridges back in business, and also attempts to recruit Furlong plus his friend Christian Frizzell (as Rollie)...Bridges wants to go straight and move to Alaska. Furlong gets a job selling newspapers. Bridges drinks heavily and beds prison pen pal Lucinda Jenney (as Charlotte). Furlong kisses budding prostitute Tracey Kapisky (as Molly) and hangs out with the streetwise crowd. There is joy in watching a father getting to know and care for his son as both temper wild impulses. This makes their setbacks sad. Every so often, we are reminded something is not genuine, but Bridges and director Martin Bell hold it together on the star's characterization. The subject matter winds up depressing, but effective. Life is hard.****** American Heart (5/92) Martin Bell ~ Jeff Bridges, Edward Furlong, Lucinda Jenney, Don Harvey

American Heart casts Jeff Bridges in the role of a recently paroled convict who would like to make a fresh start of things. But from the gitgo he's saddled with a responsibility of his own making. His 14 year old son Edward Furlong runs away from the uncle he's been staying with and hooks up with Bridges. Sad to say but it's like they're doomed from the start. They live in an SRO hotel on Seattle's seamier side. Bridges is working as a window washer, barely making ends meet. Furlong tries to enroll in school, but the bureaucracy proves too much. He falls in with a lot of street kids including child hooker Tracey Kapisky who reminds me very much of Jodie Foster in Taxi. She's lives in the same SRO with her mother who's in the same profession and jealous of her daughter.Bridges also has a younger associate, Don Harvey who'd like to get him back in the criminal life. He's also found a bit of romance with a prison pen pal in Lucinda Jenney.American Heart is a real downer of a film, but very well done. Sad to these are very real people. But oddly enough it follows the same plot line as the Shirley Temple movie Now and Forever with Gary Cooper and Carole Lombard. Sort of like an R-rated version of it.This film is not one for those who like happy endings. Still I think it is one Jeff Bridges finest screen achievements.

"American Heart", which was released in 1992 was an excellent dramatic account of the relationship between a father and his impressionable teen age son. Jeff Bridges helped to produce the film, that is directed with great sense of style by Martin Bell, a man that should be appreciated for his uncompromising way of looking at life. Mr. Bell collaborated on the screen play with Peter Silverman, a writer that has worked extensively on television.Jack Kelson is an ex-con who wants to go straight. In the process he inherits his own son, who has been living away. They both end in Seattle trying to make a new start. Unfortunately, Jack Kelson has left behind enemies that ultimately want him dead. Jack figured he wants to start a new life in Alaska, away from the evil environment of crime in Seattle.Jeff Bridges is the best thing in this movie. We had seen this movie when it first was released, and we are impressed how well it still plays. Mr. Bridges is an accomplished actor who is totally believable in whatever he decides to play. It's his honesty that pulls us to him, and even this tough man he is portraying, shows redeeming qualities. Edward Furlong is also equally good as the young Nick, who clearly adores his father. The last scene at the ferry, when it's not clear Jack will make it and Nick is looking for him all over the place, has to be one of the most heart wrenching moments in this film.The musical score is amazing. Tom Waits songs in the background contribute to the feeling of despair the director created for us. Also Fats Waller's song "Im Crazy 'Bout My Baby" is heard in the film.This is a film that endures the passing of time thanks to the great contribution Martin Bell made to the film.