Playing By Heart
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Movie Reviews of Playing By Heart
Movie Review: The comedic power of love
Summary: 5 Stars
Though the DVD offers no significant additional features, this film is so exceptional in and of itself that it's worth five full stars. Like _Pulp Fiction_, this film draws you into its narrative by having multiple storylines going at once, only to be intersected in the end. Along the way, each individual story is so intriguing that it's almost easy to forget that they're all moving inexorably towards collision in a masterful denouement that amplifies each individual story at least as much as it neatly ties all of them together.What sustains us throughout is the high calibre of writing. This is masterful dialogue, by and large, and it's more than a little joyous to see it so well acted. Angelina Jolie and Jon Stewart, in particular, add comedy simply by the way the read their lines. Other actors would've gotten laughs because the lines were well written; Jolie and Stewart go the writer one better by giving especially deft readings.
I think what intrigues us, too, is the casting. Almost everyone is in some significant way cast at least slightly against type, and watching them perform in unusual circumstance-and do it very well-makes the experience mesmerizing.
But what really sells this film is the fact that it's perfect date material. The movie is entirely about love, without being sappy or obviously formulaic. Though many of the negative consequences of love are explored, none is so overwhelming as to be oppressive. In short, if by the final credits you're not closer to the one you're watching the film with, you're simply not human.
Movie Review: Angelina and Ryan are great in this film
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought that this movie was kind of boring. Ryan and Angelina's performence made this movie 10 times better than it would have if they werent in it.And it was funny that angelina had always been my fav actress and lord knows I'm gaga over Ryan, it was so nice and surprising to see them in a film together.Angelina is just so good in this film,its breath taking.I love the part where she lets the vodka run out of her mouth...thats so cute!OOHH and their romance scenes all I have to say is ooo lala. The part about Keenan and Joan was so heart warming. It was so surprising to find out why he wouldn't have anything to do with this very attractive women. I was sooo surprised... I almost peed my pants..lol. I could have sworn he was gay or he like lost his manhood in the war or somethin. Everyone is always saying how Ryan Phillipe is just a pretty face... well I think that in this movie..he did the best darn job I ever seen. At first you just want to strangle him(cus you think he's a huge jerk) well then you start to understand his coldness towards Joan. I think this is a beautiful love story that shows that under any circumstances you can always turn to love and everything will be ok. I thought that was great that Joan did'nt turn her back on Keenan after she found out the real reason he didn't date. I said it once and I'll say it again Angelina and Ryan made this movie.And because I love Ryan and Angelina I give this movie an A++.I think they make a great couple and I wish he was with her instead of REESE'S pieces.Movie Review: Not to be missed
Summary: 5 Stars
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 of 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.Movie Review: This is the movie I ALWAYS recommend
Summary: 5 Stars
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'?
Movie Review: Five Stars for Five Hearts
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of my all time favorites!! I happened upon it while channel surfing with a cold. I couldn't stop watching it! The cast alone blew me away. Totally stellar, top notch cast.
The movie is basically about five love stories. And they all share a common thread via this one family in which the parents are played by Sean Connery and Gena Rowlands. They have great chemistry together! You can actually see and feel their 40 yrs. together. Ellen Burstyn is equally excellent as a mother of a dying son. The remaining three love stories are built around the three sisters/daughters of Connery and Rowlands characters. And they are quite unique and at some points just a bit over the top. But it works.
I am reluctant to say any more, except that this movie mainly takes place at night. And it's all the better for the effect.
Everything about it is beautiful! The lighting, the way the scenes are shot, etc., just add to a great story with a good, but realistic ending. So stop reading these reviews and buy this movie! Because once you see it, you won't be able to order it fast enough!!