In the entertaining tradition of THE FULL MONTY, here's a delightfully funny story about the wild road trip that changes one man's life! Colin (Michael Sheen -- LAWS OF ATTRACTION) is a simple guy who had always meekly set... more »tled for the simple things in life. But it's not until his wife Sandra runs off with a friend (Jim Carter -- ELLA ENCHANTED) that Colin realizes just how good things might have been. Determined to win her back and jump-start his life, Colin hops on his trusty moped and embarks on a chaotic cross-country journey of discovery that opens his eyes to places he's never seen ... and introduces him to people he never expected to meet! Also starring Mark Addy (THE FULL MONTY) and Celia Imrie (BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY).« less
Nice little road movie vehicle for England's modern day Alec Guinness, Michael Sheen. A fine ensemble of actors including Mark Addy, Jim Carter, Celia Imrie and Ruth Jones tell a middle-age-crazy story of what happens once a spoiled wife is unfaithful to her charming, naive husband with a small town's bullying police officer (Carter). It's perhaps a little too cute for its own good, but the film's climax, shot in the working class party city of Blackpool, manages to avoid a predictable conclusion. Definitely worth a view.
Movie Reviews
What a beautiful movie
Lindsay Levesque | Toronto | 11/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I watched it, and almost turned it off after the first 5 minutes but gave it time as some movies start out a bit slow. What a beautifully shot movie, with gorgeous scenery, and a nice simple story. I enjoyed it so much, and liked that the end wasn't as I had expected. I came away after watching that movie, feeling good. Its a simple feel good movie, and I think you learn something from Colin, the main character, as he has learned from all the folks he met through the movie. Oh, and the comparison to Full Monty? No idea how...other than Steve Addy being in both movies, there are no similarities in any way. Very odd...Oh, and the music? Awesome, I bought the best of CD for Kate Rusby last nite after watching and listening to her. Shes a folk singer that performs most of the songs in the movie..."
Blissfully quirky . . .
Ronald Scheer | Los Angeles | 12/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Set somewhere in northern England, this working-class road movie shares some of the same territory as "Full Monty," but it's in a class all by itself. Though it concerns the song-of-experience theme of betrayal and infidelity, it's a PG-13 song of innocence about a woolly-haired young man whose hero is a national darts champion. His journey to a getting-of-wisdom takes him on a moped along narrow two-lane roads and across rolling countryside, where the people he encounters open a world to him he never knew existed.
Almost lost among the oafish, inconsiderate and embittered people, young and old, who surround him, he finds good reason to be touched by those capable of appreciating him. Instead of spoiling his innocence, his experience of this world only seems to deepen it. Michael Sheen as Colin is wonderful, his smile beatific, and his face registering a remarkable range of emotions. If it's possible to put a lump in your throat, this feel-good movie will do it.
"
Heart Music
David T. Steere, Jr. | Annapolis, MD United States | 10/09/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A charming, non-sentimental, lovely road movie. An indie feel to it which brought to mind my reaction to the wonderful STATION AGENT--at least in terms of the believable, warm, slightly oddball characters. The lead actor, Michael Sheen, seems a UK version of Alfred E. Newman a bit but charming as can be. The wonderful characters he meets as he mopeds to Blackpool to confront his straying and disillusioned wife are a joy. Most of all one is seized emotionally by the canny use of the music of the great Kate Rusby and John McCusker which fill the film. Kate even appears in person in HEARTLANDS. Buy the film, buy the HEARTLANDS soundtrack album, by everything Kate Rusby has ever done (including her recent concert cd, LIVE FROM LEEDS). All are joys."
I love pathetic people
Z. Smith | 09/05/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"this movie had plenty of opportunity for some witty/chuckle-worthy lines or slap-stick bits...but it just sort of deflated in the comedy department. yes there were funny tidbits but they were fleeting and far too sparse. not to mention i found myself questioning why he would ever go after the bloody skank. i mean, collin was pathetic, but still charming and you couldn't help but want to reach over and give him a hug. despite its faults it does leave the viewer with a warm fuzzy feeling (that may make you feel uncomfortable if you only watched it cuz you've been reading all the full monty comparisons and were expecting a bit more *ahem* vulgar humor). this movie is for types who can appreciate the art of the camera angles and visions of the lush country side. the simpleness may seem a bit childish at first but it really leaves you with a happy-go-lucky grin and possibly a fetish with windmills. i was slightly disappointed, heartwarmed and enveloped by the romanticism of it at the same time. truly charming.
i'm also a big fan of michael sheen."
Wonderful Movie
Apiary | Orlando, FL, US | 12/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Heartlands is wonderful. It is beautifully shot and remarkably well acted. The movie made me laugh out loud - twice - without having to resort to potty jokes or sloppy slap stick humor. It also made me cry, not because it is an intrinsically sad film, but because it is in part the story of Everyman. Unless a person is remarkably dull or a recluse, there will be moments in this film that could have been taken from the pages of anyone's life. Granted the characters and situations are a bit larger, if not more colorful, than one might typically expect to encounter, it is Michael Sheen's (Colin) ability to humanize them that touches.
Without spoiling things for people who haven't seen the film, there is a scene in this movie that will stick with me forever. It is so full of simple, unburdened joy that anyone who sees it will be instantly both amused and completely charmed.
Call me Quixote, as I am off in search of windmills....."