Playing By Heart

Amazon.com

This amiably amorphous comedy-drama about a myriad of articulate and witty people pondering the meaning of love was originally titled Dancing About Architecture. As one of the lovelorn puts it, in trying to explain the elusive nature of desire, "Talking about love is like dancing about architecture." However, with the way the characters in Willard Carroll's film talk, it sounds like they could dance a samba around Frank Lloyd Wright. This undiscovered gem doesn't have a particular destination in mind, as it weaves in and out of the stories of its high-profile ensemble, but it does offer some hilarious, sharp dialogue and quiet surprises. Carroll focuses his film on four couples, all in one way or another battling with the problems of relationships, ranging from long-marrieds (Gena Rowlands and Sean Connery) to Gen-X club-hoppers (Angelina Jolie and Ryan Phillippe). Ostensibly, part of the film is invested in the mystery of how all these characters are interrelated, but keen viewers will be able to discern the connections among everyone. It's the uniformly excellent performances, though, that make Playing by Heart compulsively watchable. Most striking, surprisingly enough, are Jolie and Phillippe, the youngest members of the cast who reveal heretofore hidden depths of talent. Jolie in particular increases her already-soaring stock as an actress. Equally impressive are Gillian Anderson and Jon Stewart, who transcend their yuppie personas in their awkward enactment of the timeless dating rituals. Other cast members, including Dennis Quaid, Anthony Edwards, Ellen Burstyn, Jay Mohr, and the always luminous Madeleine Stowe, are quite good, though saddled with story lines that are occasionally less than compelling. The only complaint you'll have is that once everyone's connections are revealed, you'll wish this cast had more of an opportunity to interact. The journey toward the film's bittersweet end, however, is marvelous in and of itself. --Mark Englehart

Description

A sexy, romantic comedy about modern couples coming together in funny and unexpected ways, PLAYING BY HEART features an amazing cast of hot stars! Paul (Sean Connery -- FINDING FORRESTER) and Hannah (Gena Rowlands -- THE MIGHTY) discover that even after 40 years of marriage, they can still learn some very surprising things about each other! Meredith (Gillian Anderson -- THE X-FILES) 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 (Jon Stewart -- JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK)! Then there's Joan (Angelina Jolie -- TOMB RAIDER) and Keenan (Ryan Phillippe -- GOSFORD PARK), young people searching for love in an L.A. club scene where the rules of dating seem to change every night! A witty, charming motion picture that critics loved -- you, too, will fall for this seductive treat!

Customer Reviews:

Realy Good.......2007-08-25

This movie was Realy Good. If I had to compare it to anything else i've seen, it would be the movie, "Crash". Which I loved tremendously as well.
Hey, it's a great film with a full circle ending. You will NOT be disappointed.

One of My Favorite Movies of All Time.......2007-06-07

Most of my favorite movies are music related: Spinal Tap, Fame, Grace of My Heart...but this movie was so powerful that it instantly entered my top ten faves of all time. I have never been so engaged, invested in or moved by the characters as I was during this film. It was realistic, yet unpredictable. I cannot fathom how anyone who has a heart could not adore this movie as I do. (To top things off, the Angelina Jolie and Ryan Philippe characters resembled me and my boyfriend to a T!)

Why have I never heard of this movie before?.......2007-03-11

I watched this movie, being on an Angelina Jolie kick, and I have to tell you - I have NEVER watched a movie twice in a row... until this movie. It was BEAUTIFUL. The cast is stellar!

something new that grows on you with every taste.......2007-02-05

Several storys/relationships, familiar faces (actors), some playing in quite different roles than you usually see them in; i.e. A. Jolie is very delightful here. Good movie on cold early sunday morn or a little glass of wine. Sad/happy movie, make you feel good. The ending is interwoven & warm. Enjoy.

International Whine Fest Entry.......2007-01-27

I have rarely taken a DVD out after less than 20 minutes. I did with this. Angelina Jolie did not even carry her character to interest me. Now this is a hard thing to do. I even watched Gia largely because of her. If you are into people whining about life, love, relationship, and all at 90 miles an hour.. this is the film for you.
If you ever get flustered watching a group of teens argue about who is dating whom and ohh did you know? Then this is not the movie for you, unless you are a die hard Angelina Jolie freak. I am making a gift of this one to someone who is. I will not have this thing in my DVD shelf for 24 hours.

Average customer rating:

Playing By Heart/Flirting With Disaster
Starring: Ben Stiller , Patricia Arquette , Téa Leoni , Mary Tyler Moore , and Alan Alda
Director: David O. Russell , and Willard Carroll
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00006FDD3
Release Date: 2002-11-19

Description

Flirting With Disaster - DVD- Written and directed by David O. Russell (THREE KINGS, SPANKING THE MONKEY), this hysterically original comedy was cheered by critics and audiences nationwide. In a quest to find his biological parents, Mel Coplin (Ben Stiller, DUPLEX, MEET THE PARENTS) -- joined by his wife (Patricia Arquette, HUMAN NATURE, HOLES), and a sexy adoption counselor (Téa Leoni, PEOPLE I KNOW, HOLLYWOOD ENDING ) -- embarks on a cross country search for his "roots." Yet as he careens from one outrageous situation to another, Mel finds himself tempted by the seductive counselor -- even as his wife starts a flirtation of her own! By the time they meet up with his free-spirited birth parents, the whole situation is spinning hysterically out of control! Also starring Mary Tyler Moore, Alan Alda, and Lily Tomlin, this hilarious hit is sure to entertain everyone! Playing By Heart - DVD- A sexy, romantic comedy about modern couples coming together in funny and unexpected ways, PLAYING BY HEART features an amazing cast of hot stars! Paul (Sean Connery -- FINDING FORRESTER) and Hannah (Gena Rowlands -- THE MIGHTY) discover that even after 40 years of marriage, they can still learn some very surprising things about each other! Meredith (Gillian Anderson -- THE X-FILES) 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 (Jon Stewart -- JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK)! Then there's Joan (Angelina Jolie -- TOMB RAIDER) and Keenan (Ryan Phillippe -- GOSFORD PARK), young people searching for love in an L.A. club scene where the rules of dating seem to change every night! A witty, charming motion picture that critics loved -- you, too, will fall for this seductive treat!

Average customer rating:

Playing by Heart [Region 2]
Starring: Angelina Jolie , Dennis Quaid , April Grace , Patricia Clarkson , and Gena Rowlands
Director: Willard Carroll
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00005U1XV

DVD:

DVD

DVD