Strange Hearts (2002)

Overrated

Just what I expected

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Although the basic plot line off this film may not be the MOST exhilarating, what truly intrigued me was the somewhat subtle and rather disturbing study of human relationships. The characters in this film are undoubtedly true to life and there is no aspect of their personalities that I was able to find unbelievable, although they may appear slightly bizarre. The impression that we have stumbled across these people is created brilliantly and adds to the films overall appeal. There is a definite appeal to the somewhat 'battered' (I use this term in a more generic sense) and most certainly vulnerable Moira and her portrayal marks one of Rose Mcgowan's finest performances. I was so intrigued by the relationship between the three lead characters that I felt the need to watch the film again straight after it had finished to study my initial impressions further.Although perhaps I raised an eyebrow at the final shot, the overall concept and feel to the film was raw and attention grabbing, forcing you to study the characters with great detail - they are most certainly not spelt out in bold print- and I was left with an unnerving feeling that was cross between satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Strange Hearts is most certainly a thought provoking film. it seems to be commonly described as a romance but i would have to say that romance takes a back seat as the strongest relationship (that of Jack and Moira) is never explicitly defined, it could be called romantic or could be interpreted in many other ways, and stroke of genius from the makers is that their interactions are never explicitly sexual or otherwise and could be viewed either way.Strange Hearts is definitely a worthwhile watch but also one to make your own mind up about. The story is certainly no James Bond (but is that such a bad thing?) but it carries nicely and paves the way for the much more valuable subtext that I have been turning over in my mind since watching.

The biggest star in this vehicle was Harry Hamlin, playing a character named Dan Smith, so that shows you how important that role was.Robert Forster, looking like a poor man's Alec Baldwin, plays Jack Waters, a middle-aged man who is a contestant on the live (on the air) game show "Road to Riches". He thinks he's going to win $50,000. He doesn't. He's so enraged he begins cursing and has to be physically restrained and led from the set. Strangely enough, despite this fact, and the fact he later destroys property--as well as making threats--he is never barred from the studio. That is just one example of the lack of believability in this film.The next character to enter the non-plot of this storyline is young Henry Fields played by Kip Pardue. Henry, new in town, is the poster child for naive yokel.Henry & Jack fall into conversation outside the studio and hook up.Jack takes Henry to a strip joint, where Henry sees Moira Kennedy(our third character--played by Rose McGowan), on stage, performing what is supposed to be an erotic, exotic Asian dance. What actually happened is, the girl came out and did a little wriggling and weaving that lasted maybe five minutes and was nothing exceptional.Moira is a friend of Jack's, so she's conveniently handy from then on.Nothing of much interest happens throughout the rest of the film. There's some kind of offer made by Dan Smith to Jack to screw over Henry for an undisclosed amount of money. Why Dan would make this offer was never clear.Eventually we have both men up for grabs by the unexceptional Moira. There's balding Jack, a loser old enough to be her grandfather, and Henry, another loser, dumber than dirt. Gosh! Golly! Gee-willikers Folks!--which one will she chose!? I know I didn't care.1 star

I think this is a great film because of the great story. It's about this girl Moira, who's a stripper. She's really insecure, and Jack, the old guy next door, helps her when she has a hard time. He first met her outside a hospital, and he felt bad for her and picked her up. Since then he's always been there for her, and suddenly he falls in love with her, but what he doesn't know is that she has feelings for him to. to make the film even more complicated, she doesn't know that he loves her, and henry, a better looking and much younger guy than jack, falls deeply in love with Moira. He gets her a job and they have a great time together. he asks her to marry him, and she doesn't know what to do ,cause her dream is to get to Mexico...

I loved this film...I felt sorry about the rat in the can but still I loved it hehe. Rose McGowan's all grown up since Jawbreaker, which was so awful. This movie proves that even she can be emmotional, away from "Charmed" which she totally blowed. GREAT job to all the cast, exellent done guys!!