Movielogr
Playing by Heart (1998)
Directed by Willard Carroll
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Overview
A sexy, romantic comedy about modern couples coming together in funny and unexpected ways. Paul and Hannah discover that even after 40 years of marriage, they can still learn some very surprising things about each other. Meredith is a serious theatre director who isn’t looking for a relationship… but has one looking for her in the person of the funny, persistent Trent. Then there’s Joan and Keenan, young people searching for love in an L.A. club scene where the rules of dating seem to change every night.
Rated R | Length 121 minutes
Actors
Gillian Anderson | Ellen Burstyn | Sean Connery | Anthony Edwards | Angelina Jolie | Jay Mohr | Ryan Phillippe | Dennis Quaid | Gena Rowlands | Jon Stewart | Madeleine Stowe | Patricia Clarkson | April Grace | Alec Mapa | Christian Mills | Kellie Waymire | Tim Halligan | Michael Emerson | John Patrick White | Amanda Peet | David Ferguson | Joel McCrary | Worthie Meacham | Michael B. Silver | Hal Landon Jr. | Marc Allen Lewis | Ron Boussom | Daniel Chodos | Mark Lewis | Jim Abele | Chris Conner | Marcus Printup | Larry Antonino | Tom Chuchvara | Robert English | Ryo Okumoto | Hilary Duff | Nastassja Kinski | Matt Malloy | Marilyn Monrovia | Jeremy Sisto | David Clennon
Viewing History (seen 2 times)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/23/2013 | Computer | DVD | Owned | 4 stars |
| 01/08/2012 | TV | DVD | Owned | 3.5 stars |
| (Average) 3.75 stars |
Viewing Notes
In world where people think CRASH desrves an Oscar, PLAYING BY HEART really got the short shrift at the box office in 1998 with a deficit of $11 million; I imagine most of the budget went to Sean Connery’s bank account, though.
Some of the interconnected stories are touching, especially the sad Jolie-Phillippe and the energy of Connery-Rowlands. The Stowe-Edwards story felt a bit thin, but I really enjoyed the Stowe flipside with Dennis Quaid; one particular segment of Quaid’s shocked me at first until I understood what was going on. My only real complaint is Phillippe, who puts his limited range of acting ability on fine display here.
The gradual revelation of how these seemingly disparate people are connected was done deftly, but I wish that they’d spent more time after the last one explaining why exactly they’re all so damaged seemingly from the word go, despite what they tell you; an additional 10 minutes or so would’ve put a nice cap on a nice little film.
Favorite quote: ” I may be a fabulous looking broad, but I got a penis. This ain’t no disco and I don’t want no CRYING GAME drama.”
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