Heart (1987) User Reviews

Dreary

[Maciste_Brother · 3/10 · 25 January 2005]

I watched HEART because of the interesting cast. Well, as good as the cast is, nothing can compensate for the dull and dreary script and direction.

The film wants to be serious and on a certain level it does achieve a realistic portrayal of a boxer's life but making a movie that's dreary and dull does not automatically equal greatness. Some directors, writers or producers seem to confuse greatness with dullness, which I'll never understand. And this slight film definitely suffers from this artistic affliction.

If you want to see where Steve Buscemi started or one of Brad Davis' last films, in which he, again, often appears in his underwear (see MIDNIGHT EXPRESS or QUERELLE), well you should check this out. But aside from the cast, I don't see any other reason to watch this.

Realistic, motivational and heart-touching.

[cristiansoco · 7/10 · 22 April 2023]

There's a reason why this movie has some negative reviews, or low score ratings. As a "boxing-only" movie, it fails to deliver unrealistic sequencies people tend to enjoy (like Rocky), or constant action filled with plot twists. Movie is simple, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. The movie's heart is a subtle message delivered through Eddie Brenan's fight agaisn't not only another boxer, but also, agaisn't time, failure and life. Eddie is a not so great man, with a no so great life. Not a big house, nor an important job. No purpose, no fate, only a man moving around and living day by day, without a goal and thus, without a sense of being. In some point of his life he started with boxing but age started to strike and with it, he started to fail and be left behind, with he being now recognized only when his descent is brought into conversation.

... however, he is all (heart). Eddie keeps standing up, keeps trying, keeps training, in an attempt to prove those who surround him, and more importantly, to prove himself, he has what it takes to make a fight, and win it (be it in a ring, or in his soul).

Movie is then a rollarcoaster of emotions when you deeply understand Eddie's character and what he is going through. With a realistic touch, from beginning to end.

A more serious Rocky

[wackyfuncrazy · 8/10 · 6 January 2006]

I first watched this film many years ago with an older brother of mine and then completely forgot about it. As B-movies are now being released due to the rise of DVDs (for which I am very grateful) I discovered this film on Amazon and decided to buy it.

The story is about Eddie Brennan (played brilliantly by Brad Davis), a middleweight boxer that once could have gained the title but lost and is now a manual labourer who sometimes boxes. His manager (Steve Buscemi) tells Eddie that there is a potential fight for him. The fight will just be a warm up for rising star Salvador Manuella: a young fighter who has never been beaten. Eddie's manager is a bit shifty and decides to make an easy buck by telling the local mob boss (who controls Manuella) that he will fix the fight as he is certain Eddie will lose. Eddie trains hard and is not told that the fight is fixed.

The fight comes after some Rocky inspired training sequences where Eddie jogs, does sit-ups etc. It first looks like Eddie is losing but in time picks himself up and finally gets to the last round where anyone can win. Eddie is told that he must go down or they will be killed including his trainer who reluctantly agreed to the deal. Eddie says that he made no deal and the fight ends in knock out. Eddie wins. Except after the fight ends there is not the happiness just before the credits role like in every Rocky film, one sees Eddie on his own (his trainer and manager and trainer have run away from and then are caught by the mob) packing his things away and going to the changing room while the crowd disperse and no longer care about what happens to him. The whole scene is really depressing believe me. The other two are apparently killed but we never see that. Eddie is taken away to a factory where the mob boss says that his victory means nothing as his career is over as he is too old. He threatens to break his arms but Eddie insists he made no deal. The film ends as Eddie goes back to his estranged wife who takes him in with open arms.

This film has some really depressing piano music which is really nice to listen to. This film is a great boxing movie and should be seen by people who have seen Rocky. 8/10

Nothing new here

[Wizard-8 · 7 July 2016]

There is a strong echo of the boxing movie "Rocky" in "Heart", as well as strong echoes from countless boxing movies from the golden age of Hollywood. As a result, the plot is extremely predictable and contains no surprises. It could still have probably worked, at least in a dated sense, but there are additional problems. The biggest problem is the main character played by Brad Davis. Davis tries hard, but his efforts are ultimately defeated by the fact that we never really get a glimpse of what is going on in this character's head. We never find out what is really driving him or what he is thinking or feeling. The movie is not a complete waste, I admit. The movie looks pretty good despite its low budget, and has a somewhat effective gritty feeling at times. It's also directed in a down-to-earth style, with no strident feeling. And it's fun to see a young pre-fame Steve Buscemi. But it's not enough to make the movie worth watching, unless you have never seen a boxing movie before in your life.