Straight from the Heart (2003 TV Movie) User Reviews

Great for a Saturday afternoon!

[bugdog · 8/10 · 25 June 2005]

I really liked this movie. I ran across it while looking for something to watch, saw who was in it (Andrew McCarthy) and stopped to watch it. I only have two problems with the movie - one, no one who wears a ball cap wears it with their ears tucked in (like Terri does) and her camera makes a noise as if it was had an auto winder on it, yet she advances the film with the lever.

Watching McCarthy ride was a great thing, too. It's funny, though, because I knew from the description that this was from a romance novel - and one I'd probably read a while ago. Had this thing for cowboys, you know. Never really got over that...

(As a woman who frequently wears ball caps and who was a 35mm photography nut - before digital got good - I guess I'm picky.)

Sweet, but disappointing

[garbo-1 · 7/10 · 12 February 2005]

I have loved Andrew McCarthy since the 80's. He's always had a boyish charm that appeals to my inner teenager.

But, his portrayal of Tyler Ross, in Straight From The Heart, was a little disappointing. His actions seemed overly rehearsed and even a little forced. He just doesn't carry himself with that slow and easy cowboy grace that we've become accustomed to from watching such greats as Joyn Wayne and Jimmy Stewart. The script, as well, could have used some better writing, as the dialogue between the characters is often a little silly. Still, the movie can stand alone with it's familiar storyline, troubled hero, and happy ending.

Great Western-Style Hallmark Movie!

[huggibear · 8/10 · 25 March 2017]

I've liked Andrew McCarthy since high school when he played in Mannequin. But seriously, he is an awesome actor and he played his part very well in this movie. It's different because it was like a western flick to me and in the country for sure. I've been through Wyoming, but the only things I could remember about it were the high winds and wind advisories on the highway. I got to experience a camper shell flying right off someone's truck in front of me on the highway. I had to swerve to miss it! What a trip! Listen to the signs if you ever venture into Wyoming from Colorado on the main interstate heading into Cheyenne. They are truly no joke. But back to the movie, how sweet the story line was! A set up by a friend/roommate, a plane ticket to meet each other sent by a family member and neither one of them knew what was coming to them. Quality script! Thanks again Hallmark!

Lightweight, inoffensive TV movie about letting personal barriers fall.

[TxMike · 11 March 2003]

I happened upon this TV movie last night on our new (to us) Hallmark movie channel. I was intrigued because it stars Teri Polo who I remember and liked from Northern Exposure, and Andrew McCarthy who I remember from Mannequin. It was set in NYC and Wyoming, but the opening shot looked a lot like Mt Hood in Oregon. Most of the movie was filmed in wide open forest, plains, lakes, and mountains and is one of the strong points of the film.

some SPOILERS follow, read at your own risk.

Polo's character is a budding photographer who chronicles "refuse' (garbage) and her work frankly stinks. Her boyfriend wants her to move in with him, but she wants a commitment, marriage. He seems very gun-shy. McCarthy's character has a ranch in Wyoming, is a man of few words and few smiles. Polo's best friend sends in a "lonely hearts" application, as does McCarthy's sister, and they both take the arranged meeting, a weekend in Wyoming, very cautiously.

They develop an immediate dislike for each other, Polo considers cutting the visit short. Polo's back story is a father who deserted her as a young girl and photography became her shield against the world. His was the death of his wife, and unborn daughter, a result of a very risky pregnancy. He hadn't allowed himself to move on.

She sticks it out, she becomes helpful, she starts to shed her "mask." He starts to see her for what she is deep inside. She eventually goes back to NYC, has a successful photo exhibition of horses, photos she took while on the ranch in Wyoming. Last scene, he walks into the gallery leading a horse featured in some of her photos, walks up to her and tells the horse, "She'll do", they kiss and the film ends.

A very pleasant, inoffensive film, no violence, no fights, no bad language, no overy sexuality, actually a bit refreshing, although the story unfolds very predictably. Polo and McCarthy are both believable in their roles, if we can believe a beautiful NYC woman would actually fly to Wyoming to meet a man she has not spoken to, doesn't even know what he looks like. Get over that point and the movie is enjoyable in a relaxed kind of way. A quite different role for McCarthy.

Decent movie, but too unbelievable

[herrcarter-92161 · 6/10 · 31 May 2023]

There was a lot to like about this movie. The performances from Andrew McCarthy and Teri Polo were sincere, heartfelt and believable. McCarthy, in particular, played the role of a Wyoming rancher to perfection. My wife could barely believe he was the same kid that played in Pretty in Pink. Unlike many an other actor, who would play such a role as a caricature, McCarthy's performance was spot on, from start to finish.

The supporting characters were also good, especially Tyler's sister Laurie. You grew to really like all these characters through the course of the movie. The subplot about the mustangs was also pretty engaging. And, of course, you had the incredible cinematography, highlighting the beautiful scenery in that neck of the woods. Don't know if it was actually filmed in Wyoming, but it was gorgeous, wherever it was filmed.

My problem with the movie was that it was just too unbelievable. Just the initial premise was ludicrous. You're really supposed to believe that Tyler's sister is going to recruit some girl from New York City, of all places, to date her brother, and that both, sight unseen, without so much as a photograph, are going to agree to have her fly out to meet him? Sure, this movie was released in 2003, but online dating was a thing even back then. Why not have the sister do that, rather than go for some antiquated, mail-order-bride scenario? Their initial bad reactions to each other were certainly believable, given that they come from different worlds, but I never understood why she decided to stay longer, rather than get on a plane and go home. There was no credible motivation (or any motivation) offered. The two of them truly had so little in common (other than a love of wild horses, perhaps) that I really never saw them together. When they finally did decide they liked each other, there just didn't seem to be enough plot development to make that believable.

I also found it hard to believe that Tyler's former father-in-law was blaming Tyler for his daughter's death and holding onto that grudge for years. People in that part of the country don't ostracize their family members when a tragedy like that strikes. They rally around them and support them. And what was Tyler supposed to do to save his wife from dying in childbirth? Force her to get an abortion? Maybe that would be the logical conclusion for the Hollywood-based screen writers that wrote this story, but certainly not for folks in conservative Wyoming. The whole thing just didn't ring true.

And then, the last scene in the movie! Talk about straining all credulity! Tyler decides he wants to marry Jordan, so he shows up in New York City, bringing a horse, no less (no explanation of how he got a horse there from Wyoming), and he brings it inside an art gallery and offers it to Jordan as a wedding proposal! If you paid a screenwriter good money to come up with the cheesiest possible ending to a movie, you couldn't have come up with anything cheesier. And then, they kiss, and the movie is over! No explanation what happens next. Does Jordan just pack her bags and move to Wyoming, after finally achieving her dream of getting her photos displayed in a big NYC art gallery? Would she really be happy living on that ranch full time? So many loose ends left untied.

So, the movie was fairly entertaining, engaging and well acted. I just found it hard to get past the multitude of unbelievable plot elements, and that kind of ruined the movie for me.

Does what the title suggests, one of the few enjoyable made for TV movies

[blacklist-1 · 6/10 · 10 June 2010]

I have watched a few TV movies in my time particularly having a Nan and dad who watch them regularly on the weekday when Fiver schedule them in the afternoons. Mostly they are either murder mysteries, melodramas or romantic dramas and Straight from the Heart is one of them. I will be honest most TV movies aren't that great but that is due to it's low budget production, which comes with it being placed in the sphere of the TV at it's allocated slot and actors who are less well known than your typical A-list Hollywood actors and actresses.

I have always kept low expectations for a TV movie and usually one like romantic dramas are predictable and cheesy with acting and direction compared to mainstream film that come out in the cinema or other independent films seeming amateurish by comparison. However I'm pleased to say that Straight from the Heart is one of the few TV movies I have seen considering I am not the target audience for these types of films and the allocated schedule of them, mainly women and the elderly to be quite enjoyable.

This basic story is where a photographer who lives in New York, Jordan Donovan (Teri Polo)is so disappointed when after five years of going steady Edward Morgan offers her not marriage but just to move in with him, that she accepts the match-making arranged via a magazine by her female friend with Tyler Ross, a horse rancher in the West (Andrew McCarthty), whose candidacy was actually also posted by his sister. After a bad start they soon grow closer, riding and talking, finding much in common, while she actually grew up on the country. However their past lives, which in his case is marked by a tragic accident, doesn't make it easy for them, and when Edward comes ask her hand, she travels back East. Will they get together? Well I'm sure you can guess. I found Teri Polo and Andrew McCarthy's acting to be good for a TV movie and there is nice chemistry between them and surprisingly there are some funny moments in the film that made me chuckle, the film swaths along at a reasonable pace so you won't get bored and the scenery at the ranch is lovely to look at. There is nothing special to this movie but it is one of the better TV ones and I certainly wouldn't shrug off watching it again. This rating may seem a bit low compared to some of the others on this website but considering I am not the target audience for this, it is high praise. I for one thoroughly enjoyed this and it fulfils the expectations one might expect.

Horses, great scenery, and Andrew McCarthy - WOW!

[vharris03 · 10/10 · 17 February 2003]

This one will definitely go in my repeat viewing collection!!! Andrew McCarthy has always been able to pull at your heartstrings, but he never looked better than he does as Tyler Ross, the cowboy, WOW!! You can't help but feel for his loss of his wife, but you so enjoy the "sparring" between him and Jordan (Teri Polo), and can't wait till they actually get it together and realize the love they have for each other. The scenery and horses were awesome and just added to the movie's ability so pull you in even without all the violence, etc. that are in movies today. I am so looking forward to Andrew's next movie knowing how great he looks these days.

Doesn't work

[MickyG333 · 6/10 · 6 January 2024]

6.1 stars.

This appears to be a big production Hallmark from 20 years ago back in 2003. Teri Polo is at this time a big star, she did meet the family and the other Focker movies. Something just isn't right with this film. As I was going through it, I realized that it was flat, and was not bring me any of the entertainment that I was looking for. Something is awry, I'm not quite sure what. The romance is practically nonexistent, leading up to the very end, when this woman makes pretty bad decisions, regarding her heart, which brings me to the title of the film, straight from the heart, which maybe has something to do with her heart, not being in it with the other guy. Who knows? The end was not realistic, the whole production brings no cheer. For lack of better phrases: this is a bad film.

Nice Romantic Drama

[kenday1 · 9/10 · 12 February 2004]

Seen this movie tonight on the Hallmark Channel and really enjoyed it. This is a charming movie to watch on Valentine's Day!

It was good to see Andrew McCarthy in another serious roll. He's done so many comedy films in his career and he is funny to watch, no doubt. I love horses and photography so I found myself wishing I were there at that Ranch playing Teri Polo's role!!!

9/10. I would give it a 10/10 except the film ended too soon. They could have added a little more romance and perhaps a wedding! :)

Yes, too unbelievable

[christer_stabis · 6/10 · 22 September 2023]

I registered just to give this comment.

I totally agree with the whole review "Decent movie, but too unbelievable", by "herrcarter-92161".

It was nice views in the movie but it was an unbelievable story.

Just read the review I mentioned above and you see what I think of the movie. He got all the issues with the movie covered.

Otherwise it was a good idea for a plot but could have been made more believable. The acting was mixed. It was good or almost good. Sometimes it felt that something was missing in the acting. Those scenes where the acting was almost good it felt like it was a bit too forced and predictable.

It was worth looking at once but for me not twice.

I would rate it about 5.7.

Good visuals, otherwise trite

[where_is_truth · 3/10 · 20 June 2008]

I enjoy Andrew McCarthy, and he has aged fabulously, but this movie made me cringe nearly the entire time I was watching it-- and I'm a romance buff who has seen and read a lot of pretty saccharine stuff! While one wants to feel sympathy for his character and the troubles he has been through, the tired, trite stoicism makes it difficult to care, and the reactions and lines of some of the supporting characters-- Edward, Laurie, etc.-- are also stock sugar, predictable to the very end.

The conflicts of the movie are sparing at best and ill-resolved, and there's a continued attempt at some sort of suspense that falls horribly flat as it falters toward the end. The backdrop of this movie is beautiful, and Andrew McCarthy has never looked better, but on the whole, the storyline and its boring, yawning turns were not up to par.

Absolutely wonderful

[DorotheaAdams · 10/10 · 21 February 2006]

It has been awhile since I have seen Andrew McCarthy in a movie, I saw this film on the Hallmark Channel a few weeks ago and fell in love with him, the chemistry between he and Teri Polo, or their characters, is so thrilling. I am a horse trainer, and rider, so it was just a wonderful movie for me, I loved the short, but sweet romance between them Andrew McCarthy is so mysterious, the way he walks, how he moves, just is so amazing to me. Iwish with all my heart I could one day meet him he will never know how this film effected me. Thank you all, the producers, the director, and casting director for choosing him, and for choosing Teri Polo, I taped it and now can watch it in my spare time. Thanks

Sweet!

[mdechene · 4/10 · 25 February 2008]

This is the kind of movie that makes you remember your childhood, when movies did not have to contain sex, violence and cursing. I am an action loving, shoot & kill movie fan. Every once in awhile, I need a movie like this one in order to make me realize that there is love and tenderness in the world. The two lead characters, Teri Polo and Andrew McCarthy, did a wonderful job playing their roles. The direction was good. The photography was EXCELLENT. The horses were GORGEOUS! Yes, I am a horse lover! I had no idea, prior to seeing the move, that the screenplay is mostly about horses. Some rainy or snowy day, when you are forced to stay inside, find a good friend and watch this movie together.

A Must See!

[FourPawsJake · 10/10 · 15 February 2005]

What a wonderful movie and one that I would definitely recommend for anyone. It has won the spot in my heart for "My Favorite All Time Movie". The story was funny, heartwarming, and the acting was flawless. This is the type of movie that catches your attention and then you are spellbound for the rest of the movie. I hope they make a sequel, would love to see what happens next. Would also love to see more of Andrew McCarthy. I loved his performance (and I'm not one of the former Brat Pack fans). His performance in this film is his best yet - I would definitely recommend that viewers try to catch Andrew in his films as a mature man...you want be disappointed!

Great Movie!

[annzuhn · 10/10 · 14 February 2003]

Never would have thought of Andrew McCarthy as a cowboy but WOW! As a lover of horses and a hopeless romantic, I couldn't help but rate this movie a definate 10! This is one of those movies that you could watch about a 100 times and never get tired of it. Wish there were more movies on TV like this...

This went Straight to my heart! Lovely!

[jrose-7 · 11 February 2003]

I have to agree-Andrew has aged extremely well. I have a "thing" for cowboys and Andrew stepped right into my heart with this one. Wow! I have always liked his movies but this one "straight from the heart" sort of grabbed me (ya know?). Made me want to be younger and live in Wyoming. What a sap! I'm really looking forward to the next one. Just can't say enough good stuff about this film.

another movie for easy watching

[dragokin · 5/10 · 8 February 2015]

I'd been looking down at romantic comedy for a long time and then, suddenly, i've discovered its qualities. You've guessed it, i went to a movie theater with a female companion, we saw a romantic comedy, then one thing led to another. However, the movie in question was Love Actually (2003), not Straight from the Heart seen on a satellite TV channel.

Anyhow, this movie will offer a good background for some relaxing time with your beloved one. There will be several romantic stories involving your emotions on various levels of intensity and even a face-off with the bad guys.

Don't get me wrong, i don't want to ridicule Straight from the Heart, because it is an honest movie. However, it doesn't hold any stellar moments. It is great movie for easy watching.

Great love story. Straight out of a romance novel.

[francesm10 · 10/10 · 9 February 2003]

For those of you who are fans of the romance novel, this story will be every bit as predictable and even more enjoyable that those written in books. The story line is a bit contrived, but I couldn't help falling in love with the characters. Teri Polo is great as the outcast New Yorker in the middle of the Wyoming wilderness and Andrew McArthy has NEVER looked better than as the widowed rancher reluctant for love. A definite chick flick! Great payoff at the end... Ladies, tell me how great Andrew McArthy has aged... Dear Lord!

Well acted romance

[mmss4 · 9/10 · 13 February 2004]

This movie plays like a romance novel-a good romance novel. Andrew McCarthy and Teri Polo have nice chemistry as the rancher and the city girl. They are believable in their well-acted roles. The supporting cast is very good, too. Patricia Kalember looks beautiful in her sympathetic role and it was great to see the wonderful J. Kenneth Campbell in the part of the grieving father. He was on "Matlock" as the unique character F.B.I. agent Ed Wingate, "I am the wind". This is a very enjoyable movie and I give it a nine.

Wonderful romantic and tough guy movie, "Straight from the Heart"

[ravmeltt · 10/10 · 8 April 2008]

This movie showed in my area on Lifetime Channel on Sunday 6 April, 2008. I enjoyed every minute of it, and was so emotionally touched that for some reason I cried at the end. I think I cried because I wondered where that kind of movie (which we rarely see anymore), and that kind of love, have gone to. I wondered if I could ever love or have a love like that. It seemed almost unreachable, but so pure and so beautiful. The movie was so romantic, yet had its tough guy moments. The chemistry between Teri Polo (Jordan) and Andrew McCarthy (Tyler) was magical and so strong, yet the cowboy parts were so manly and reminded me of an era where there were cowboys and wild horse roaming in lovely fields. The scenery was really wonderful. I've never been around horses but it made me want to visit a place like that. There was no violence, no fighting even between Tyler and his father-in-law, which one might have expected, and no Hollywood obligatory gay character or gay scene. To the person who couldn't understand about the father-in-law's change of heart, I think he saw pain in Tyler's heart and eventually realized Tyler too was suffering.

To the lady who had a relationship like in the movie, where her boyfriend didn't want to let go of his past, I hope things have since changed for you both. Maybe it might be good to send him the movie to watch. To the person who said he felt McCarthy's acting was forced, please note that I've read all 3 pages of comments about this movie here, and you are the sole person with that opinion. 99.9 percent of the persons who commented, loved the movie and McCarthy's acting. There was even one guy who watched it with his wife and loved it! You're the only negative in a sea of positive. Just thought you should know. This is a movie that belongs among the best of the best for romantic movies.

Great

[jspain-1 · 10/10 · 10 June 2005]

I am a 55 year old male and I loved this "chick flick". I was going to go to bed at 9 PM but at 8 pm, my wife turned the Hallmark channel on and started watching this movie. By 9 PM, I was so hooked, I had to stay up and watch the whole movie. Teri Polo is so cute in this movie. I loved her part. This is a movie that I would like to buy and watch over and over again. My all time favorite movie is "Pretty Woman" and this ranks right up there with it. I would recommend this movie to anyone of all ages and all genders. It reminds me of a Harlequin Romance novel but I really didn't care. It was just so cute and engaging. It also had beautiful scenery and some beautiful horses.

Straight From The Heart (2003) TV Movie

[rose2799 · 10/10 · 9 January 2006]

I Love to watch Andrew McCarthy Movies I Love them all and Have been watching him ever since I was a Teenager, But This Movie really touched me. He performed so well in this movie, I didn't know he rode horses and His Co-star was also great. I wish he would think of acting in more movies like this full of adventure and romance I really like that side of him. I think he is a wonderful actor and should be in a lot more big screen movies with Adventure and Romance or just Love stories, after all he is wonderful to watch, just my suggestion and I wish I could Buy the Movie Straight From The Heart. If anyone know if it is on DVD and where to purchase this Movie please contact me. Thanks, Lisa. Rose2799.

Straight from the Heart was just that...

[ladyharley88 · 10/10 · 22 October 2005]

I just watched the movie Straight from the Heart, starring Teri Polo & Andrew McCarthy. I give this a 10 out of 10! In my opinion, Teri Polo & Andrew McCarthy did a TERRIFIC job! I loved the country scenes! I wonder where the church is, where the sister got married. I would love to have it on DVD to watch without all the commercials. If you enjoyed this, as I did, other movies to consider, would be Hallmark's The Love Letter. Talk about fantastic! I've watched it at least 3 times & I think I even have it on VCR tape. Also, Back to You & Me with Lisa Hartman Black, Dale Midkiff and Rue McClanahan was great. Only thing I did not like was all the commercials. 6 to 8 minutes each time. But I can not fault the movie or the actors for that, but that's the TV industry now a days & why we now have DVR!

Straight from the Heart- ***1/2

[edwagreen · 9/10 · 5 January 2008]

This is a wonderfully realized television movie starring Teri Polo and Andrew McCarthy.

McCarthy, as the embittered widower, sullen and angry with life, shows that he has become a masterful matured actor. He has really graduated from the days of the college or high school teen movies that he starred in years back.

What makes this film so good is the way that the McCarthy character and Teri Polo gradually fall in love. How they get together is interesting enough. His sister writes an ad for her brother to meet someone, Polo's friend is upset that her friend's 5 year romance seems to be going nowhere and answers the ad for her friend.

This brings about the Polo trip to the west where she immediately shows McCarthy that she can handle a rural life as well as his apparent insults.

This is a heartwarming tale featuring the animals on the farm and an embittered father-in-law who blames McCarthy for his daughter's death after she gives birth to a baby girl who also dies.

Straight from the Heart

[bearcreekmamag · 10/10 · 19 July 2006]

I think that was the best movie I have seen with Andrew McCarthy. He is looking better the older he gets. He was a cute in his younger age, but now he is fine. I love his sexy blue eyes. I thought the scenery was beautiful. I wish he could make a sequel to that movie. I would love to see them get married on the show. I know that will never happen but it is a thought. Teri Polo is a very lovely lady. I think they make a cute couple in that movie. I have bought several of his movies off ebay. My husband thinks I am going crazy over Andrew. You know what, I am. I hope I see you soon in a romance again.

Carol Glover