This movie is about Brian Cox... Director Dagur Kari provides a stage. Paul Dano is great being a looking-glass. But Brian Cox's Jacques is monumental, he literally carries the action from the first second he steps in. He energizes the viewer, no matter how one classifies his moral actions. The bar scene is one of surrealistic charm, dwelled by decameronesque characters and maintained as a personal fiefdom by Jacques. The short story on the cover is "A bartender takes a young homeless man in under his wing" but there is so MUCH more to it. Lucas (Paul Dano) represents here a humanity clear of prejudice, pure and immortal. The suicide attempt doesn't stop him. Nor does death itself, his heart symbolically living on in another body. Supporting actress Isild le Besco is somehow incongruous, offering not believable French accented replies. Underwhelming, as her debut movies in France, where her naked skin prevails. Probably a strong actress, I am thinking here Emily Mortimer, or Marie-Louise Parker, or, -if they really wanted a French one, how about Sandrine Kiberlain? -would have done much better. Solidly memorable, Brian Cox gives this movie so much personality and energy that only true talent can offer. In line with Anthony Hopkins and Ben Kingsley, Cox is another Musqueteer of a generation of powerful performances from Britain to enchant us. Watch this great movie, and a bar will never look the same to you!
24 Reviews
Brilliantly dark from the director of Noi Albinoi and the actors Brian cox and Paul Dano from the brilliant L.I.E
tom-316024 June 2010
Brilliantly dark and hilarious. Shot in a bar in Reicuvic, Iceland by the director of Noi Albinoi, and the two brilliant actors from the mesmerising L.I.E. With a brilliant performance from Brian Cox.
The director has the way of putting his own Icelandic feel to this movie with its very greenish feel in the artistic shots. which were shot in New York and a mocked-up bar in Reicuvic.
Totally brilliant humour throughout mixed with the serious moody Brian Cox and upbeat Paul Dano, merges together once again to give a good mix.
Definitely the best thing I have seen in the 2010 EIFF, and one I recommend for all to see.
The director has the way of putting his own Icelandic feel to this movie with its very greenish feel in the artistic shots. which were shot in New York and a mocked-up bar in Reicuvic.
Totally brilliant humour throughout mixed with the serious moody Brian Cox and upbeat Paul Dano, merges together once again to give a good mix.
Definitely the best thing I have seen in the 2010 EIFF, and one I recommend for all to see.
The Good Heart is a good film!
BeneCumb26 January 2013
It is a drama and so-called independent film (with Icelandic screenwriter/director), but it is not oppressive, but includes plenty of comic moments. The screenplay is witty and distinct (with some predictability though) and all the cast is good (supporting actors) or excellent (leading actors Brian Cox and Paul Dano). They are masterly both together and separately, you constantly feel chemistry between them - does not matter if their characters agree or disagree.
Highly recommended, although the film is not to everybody's taste: most of event occur in a bar, scenes including women are infrequent, the ending is ambivalent. But still, this film deserves far more attention, praise and distribution, primarily in northern parts of Europe and America.
Highly recommended, although the film is not to everybody's taste: most of event occur in a bar, scenes including women are infrequent, the ending is ambivalent. But still, this film deserves far more attention, praise and distribution, primarily in northern parts of Europe and America.
Brian Cox and Paul Dano
jwaters15182 April 2010
Brian Cox & Paul Dano are a remarkable pairing in a film that doesn't really accomplish much, but somehow remains okay. Jacques, a bitter bartender looking for someone to carry on his legacy stumbles upon Lucas, a homeless young adult who is hopelessly giving. The pairing between the two is what allows the film to float above complete disaster, as their on screen chemistry elevates the otherwise nonexistent storyline to a level slightly beyond entriguing. As Jacques determines to break the kid and turn him into a "proper bartender", one who does not help people but destroys them, he finds a kid unwilling to bend in his giving ways. This changes Jacques, but the seeds of contempt Jacques has planted within Lucas in his "lessons of life" rub a lot deeper. This movie would've easily gotten an 8 had it ended about 5 minutes earlier. I must say that there was a scene in the beginning where I knew exactly what would happen at the end of the film, and this not only cripples any film revolving around this as a plot device, it destroys the very purpose of the entire piece. The only reason to watch this film is Brian Cox & Paul Dano's amazing on screen chemistry, and that alone places this film slightly above palatable.
A change of Heart
efardette3 March 2024
The Good Heart is the perfect title for this gem. It lives up the name in every way.
It's an interesting character study about an old man who owns a dive bar in New York city, and the homeless youngster he takes under his wing. Add in the grizzly characters who frequent the bar, and a lone lady friend who's also an interesting case study. There's also a curious, entertaining pet that joins the scene at the bar. However, the film isn't contained to just the bar.
The movie is shot with a filter that gives it a semi black and white feel, which doesn't distract but adds to the ambience of the film.
The acting is solid and the script is well written. The plot and storyline flow seamlessly from beginning to end.
And the end- the end really brings it all home to a, well, heartfelt conclusion. I rated it a 7 because it really hits the humanistic side of the lives of the main characters.
It's an interesting character study about an old man who owns a dive bar in New York city, and the homeless youngster he takes under his wing. Add in the grizzly characters who frequent the bar, and a lone lady friend who's also an interesting case study. There's also a curious, entertaining pet that joins the scene at the bar. However, the film isn't contained to just the bar.
The movie is shot with a filter that gives it a semi black and white feel, which doesn't distract but adds to the ambience of the film.
The acting is solid and the script is well written. The plot and storyline flow seamlessly from beginning to end.
And the end- the end really brings it all home to a, well, heartfelt conclusion. I rated it a 7 because it really hits the humanistic side of the lives of the main characters.
Tour de force from Brian Cox & Paul Dano
larry-41125 September 2009
I attended the North American Premiere of "The Good Heart" at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. Brian Cox and Paul Dano (reunited after the 2001 indie classic "L.I.E.") pull off a tour de force that left me breathless in this character piece from Icelandic writer/director Dagur Kári.
The film opens with Lucas (Dano) barely eking out a living in a cardboard box under a rusty highway overpass, with only a scrawny kitten as a companion. Jacques (Cox) runs a worn old bar where he's beginning to take on its characteristics. The two meet and a classic intergenerational arc is set up that carries the film to the end.
The film is dominated by a triumphant performance from Cox, one of the film world's masters. Shot primarily in one interior location, the theatrical nature of the script lends itself to playful interaction between the two leads. The chemistry between Cox and Dano began in 2001 with "L.I.E." and there's still magic in that relationship, forged over time as Dano has matured as an actor and into manhood. Interestingly, there are some references to cars and shaving which have carried over from "L.I.E." to "The Good Heart," intentional or not. Conflict is infused by the sudden appearance of April (Isild Le Besco), who forces the two to take sides even as their friendship is beginning to blossom.
Shot with mostly hand-held camera by cinematographer Rasmus Videbæk, "The Good Heart's" grainy film stock, washed out colors, and natural lighting without compensation for shadows give the film an honest look. A sweet soundtrack is mostly provided by the player piano that holds a prominent place in the bar. It's a clever and amusing device.
A long time in the making, "The Good Heart" spent five years in production with exteriors in New York and interiors in Iceland. Cox's introduction after the screening brought the first standing ovation of the festival.
The film opens with Lucas (Dano) barely eking out a living in a cardboard box under a rusty highway overpass, with only a scrawny kitten as a companion. Jacques (Cox) runs a worn old bar where he's beginning to take on its characteristics. The two meet and a classic intergenerational arc is set up that carries the film to the end.
The film is dominated by a triumphant performance from Cox, one of the film world's masters. Shot primarily in one interior location, the theatrical nature of the script lends itself to playful interaction between the two leads. The chemistry between Cox and Dano began in 2001 with "L.I.E." and there's still magic in that relationship, forged over time as Dano has matured as an actor and into manhood. Interestingly, there are some references to cars and shaving which have carried over from "L.I.E." to "The Good Heart," intentional or not. Conflict is infused by the sudden appearance of April (Isild Le Besco), who forces the two to take sides even as their friendship is beginning to blossom.
Shot with mostly hand-held camera by cinematographer Rasmus Videbæk, "The Good Heart's" grainy film stock, washed out colors, and natural lighting without compensation for shadows give the film an honest look. A sweet soundtrack is mostly provided by the player piano that holds a prominent place in the bar. It's a clever and amusing device.
A long time in the making, "The Good Heart" spent five years in production with exteriors in New York and interiors in Iceland. Cox's introduction after the screening brought the first standing ovation of the festival.
Artistically bleak but a little slow
Gordon-1121 November 2010
This film is about a bitter bar owner who insults everyone he sees. He encounters a homeless young man with a good nature, and takes him as his apprentice in the bar.
"The Good Heart" is filmed artistically. The mostly dark colour scheme, and the old and bleak sets augment the film's dismal atmosphere. The story follows a predictable pattern, as two individuals with vastly different personalities collide, they change each other. Brian Cox puts on a great performance as a character who is bitter and cold. Paul Dano's character is very good natured to the point that he is vulnerable to exploitation. He has the good heart, which I did not imagine it to have a literal meaning. However, the slow pacing and the overly bleak atmosphere hurt the enjoyment factor. If this story was filmed as a light hearted comedy, it would have worked better.
"The Good Heart" is filmed artistically. The mostly dark colour scheme, and the old and bleak sets augment the film's dismal atmosphere. The story follows a predictable pattern, as two individuals with vastly different personalities collide, they change each other. Brian Cox puts on a great performance as a character who is bitter and cold. Paul Dano's character is very good natured to the point that he is vulnerable to exploitation. He has the good heart, which I did not imagine it to have a literal meaning. However, the slow pacing and the overly bleak atmosphere hurt the enjoyment factor. If this story was filmed as a light hearted comedy, it would have worked better.
New York fable
SnoopyStyle19 September 2016
Lucas (Paul Dano) is homeless in New York. His failed suicide attempt sends him to the hospital where he is befriended by his roommate sour bar owner Jacques (Brian Cox). Jacques has a bad heart and wants Lucas to take over his bar 'House of Oysters' when he's gone. Jacques serves his regulars with a standoffish respect and hates walk-ins. He gives Lucas new clothes and a haircut. To his horrors, Lucas gives away espressos to the homeless and is friendly with the customers. One rainy night, distraught flight attendant April (Isild Le Besco) walks into the bar. There is the usual cast of characters, and a duck.
This is a dark New York fable with two amazing leading men. None of these characters are particularly endearing although Lucas has his charms. Jacques is a grumpy old man. There are plenty of dark quirkiness. It rambles a bit. The ending is problematic. While the accident is a nice dark turn, I don't like where Jacques ended up. I would have preferred him working at the bar in the end as it fades to black. It's disappointing and an unengaging way to finish.
This is a dark New York fable with two amazing leading men. None of these characters are particularly endearing although Lucas has his charms. Jacques is a grumpy old man. There are plenty of dark quirkiness. It rambles a bit. The ending is problematic. While the accident is a nice dark turn, I don't like where Jacques ended up. I would have preferred him working at the bar in the end as it fades to black. It's disappointing and an unengaging way to finish.
Just saw this impressive opening night film at Cinequest in San Jose....
PersianPlaya40823 February 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Dagur Kari's film The good heart was a good way to start a film festival in my eyes. I just got back from the screening, and although this film i heavily dramatic, i have to say the audience was laughing quite a bit, as was I. Its not a comedy though, just a film that some great comedic reliefs, and does a great job portraying a story of human interaction. In this case, Brian Cox is spectacular as a bitter, foul-mouthed and at times cynical barowner who takes in a homeless man in his early 20s (Dano) who he meets while being roommates with at the hospital where he has his 5th heart-attack. The film's strength lies in its script which gave its talented actors (mainly Cox, but also some talented character actors in the supporting cast who played some regulars at the bar). The cinematography is perfect and has aesthetic qualities, colors that show authenticity of the bar atmosphere. the Score is also quite suitable, and perfectly adds to the whole experience. Dagur Kari created somewhat of a gem with this film. perhaps it was also an advantage that i saw this in an impressive venue, on opening night of cinequest in the "California Theatre" with what seemed like almost 7 or 8 hundred people in attendance.
Uncomfortable strangeness, with some humour.
Steve99208 June 2023
I like Brian Cox, I like Paul dando. I like the premise of them, chalk and cheese characters in a seedy bar discussing life from two very different standpoints. This is what i was expecting. But for me it got much too busy. Too many inconsequential characters, uninteresting backstory for the Cox character, the hospital scenarios were hackneyed tropes repeated ad nauseam.
Despite the, at times laugh out loud humour, it was a dark depressing film, not helped by the bar interior, seedy yes, but this was Victorian workhouse bleak.
Left me feeling disappointed, that an opportunity had been missed. It wasn't the film I wanted to see, left me feeling sad tbh.
Despite the, at times laugh out loud humour, it was a dark depressing film, not helped by the bar interior, seedy yes, but this was Victorian workhouse bleak.
Left me feeling disappointed, that an opportunity had been missed. It wasn't the film I wanted to see, left me feeling sad tbh.
Fatally flawed
hof-417 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Once in a while you watch a movie in fascination just to see how bad it can get. This movie won't disappoint you. Protagonist: Jacques, a sixtyish uncouth, unwashed racist. Misogynist and homophobe whose only contact with other human beings is through nonstop insult and abuse (Brian Cox plays Jacques so well that we cringe every time he is on screen, which is almost all the time). Jacques runs a seedy bar under the rules: (a) No walk-ins. (b) No women. (c) No gays. (d) Abuse the regular customers. Of course we wonder: why a never cleaned (or even swept) local is not overrun with cockroaches/rats? The bar doesn't even have a functioning ladies' room. Where are the health inspectors? How can Jacques pay his rent from a handful of (obviously unwealthy) customers?
Jacques just had his fifth heart attack but seems to be none the worse for wear. He apparently uses a local hospital as a hotel. Who pays his medical bills? Medicare? Medicaid? Hidden fortune? He is a candidate for a heart transplant in spite of being a poster boy for unhealthy living; he chainsmokes and drinks heavily. The second half of the film attempts unsuccessfully to give him some vaguely human traits.
The story: Jacques adopts Lucas, a homeless young man and plans to teach him the ropes to leave the bar to him. "Teach the ropes" means turning Lucas into a heartless automaton by means of constant abuse and painful put-downs. One day beautiful April walks in. She is a flight attendant from France, who can't go home because she is afraid to fly (!!!) (April is played by Isild Le Besco who seems to have wandered in from another set and bravely does what she can with her absurd lines). Conclusion: Lucas marries April, she gets residence papers and disappears; Lucas has a (painfully predictable) fatal accident and his heart is transplanted to Jacques. Last scene: a spry Jacques in a tropical beachfront property being served by a mysterious friend's beautiful wife without a care in the world.
If this film has anything positive is the dialogue, which (at times) is witty. Not always, though; we get plenty of commonplaces like "life is too short for lousy cars" and a dissertation on flatulence. What I found particularly repulsive is the underlying idea that Lucas has been put into this world solely to give Jacques a second chance at his hate-filled life.
Jacques just had his fifth heart attack but seems to be none the worse for wear. He apparently uses a local hospital as a hotel. Who pays his medical bills? Medicare? Medicaid? Hidden fortune? He is a candidate for a heart transplant in spite of being a poster boy for unhealthy living; he chainsmokes and drinks heavily. The second half of the film attempts unsuccessfully to give him some vaguely human traits.
The story: Jacques adopts Lucas, a homeless young man and plans to teach him the ropes to leave the bar to him. "Teach the ropes" means turning Lucas into a heartless automaton by means of constant abuse and painful put-downs. One day beautiful April walks in. She is a flight attendant from France, who can't go home because she is afraid to fly (!!!) (April is played by Isild Le Besco who seems to have wandered in from another set and bravely does what she can with her absurd lines). Conclusion: Lucas marries April, she gets residence papers and disappears; Lucas has a (painfully predictable) fatal accident and his heart is transplanted to Jacques. Last scene: a spry Jacques in a tropical beachfront property being served by a mysterious friend's beautiful wife without a care in the world.
If this film has anything positive is the dialogue, which (at times) is witty. Not always, though; we get plenty of commonplaces like "life is too short for lousy cars" and a dissertation on flatulence. What I found particularly repulsive is the underlying idea that Lucas has been put into this world solely to give Jacques a second chance at his hate-filled life.
This movie got heart
frosti-sigurjonsson3 March 2010
This is a must see movie - goes on my list all time favorites.
It is not a thriller but there is never a dull moment. It is no comedy either yet there were several occasions where I was laughing so hard that I was almost out of breath. It's difficult to classify.
The script has everything. Excellent plot, really fantastic dialogs, interesting characters, unexpected turns and a surprise ending... a great story and its well told.
The quality is excellent: filming, lighting, soundtrack, props, costumes ... everything.
Brian Cox is fantastic as the grumpy bar owner... Paul Dano is convincing as the homeless young man.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film.
It is not a thriller but there is never a dull moment. It is no comedy either yet there were several occasions where I was laughing so hard that I was almost out of breath. It's difficult to classify.
The script has everything. Excellent plot, really fantastic dialogs, interesting characters, unexpected turns and a surprise ending... a great story and its well told.
The quality is excellent: filming, lighting, soundtrack, props, costumes ... everything.
Brian Cox is fantastic as the grumpy bar owner... Paul Dano is convincing as the homeless young man.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film.
teaching someone the ropes
ksf-217 April 2022
Hbo max has this as released 2010, but imdb says 2009. Lucas is a homeless guy, in the hospital, again, after a suicide attempt. In the next bed is jacques, bar owner, after another heart attack. When they are released, jacques decides he wants to leave the bar to lucas, so he shows him the ropes. Jacques is quirky. The customers are quirky. Everyone is quirky. Jacques is old and cranky, and says funny things as he lashes out, but most of them are so laced with curse words that we can't repeat them here. They both have surprises up their sleeves. If they can put up with each other long enough. It's well done. Written and directed by dagur kári.
Quirky characters in a very drab, dirty-looking film, only modestly interesting.
TxMike19 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
If you are a Netflix member and have rated a lot of movies on their site, they will suggest a rating for movies you haven't seen yet. It suggested I would think this is a pretty good movie, they were wrong. As they have been before. I don't trust it.
The first impression is one of dark and dirt. It is shot in a color style that evokes depression. The characters aren't happy, the situations aren't joyous, and this mood never changes so I found it hard to watch and enjoy.
We never find out any reason why, but Paul Dano as Lucas is without job or family and lives in a box under an elevated street in New York City. He opens a can, we don't know if it is tuna or pet food, he gives some to a kitten and eats the rest himself. Eventually he gets depressed to make a feeble attempt to kill himself, and doesn't succeed, but ends up in the hospital. There he meets Jacques.
We've seen Brian Cox in so many American roles it is easy to forget he is from Scotland. Here he is Jacques, gruff and anti-social owner of the Oyster Bar, which quit serving food after an oyster killed a customer for the prior owner, so now he only serves alcoholic drinks. In his quirkiness he has 3 rules ... no "walk-ins", no women, and no being nice to customers. He has had several heart attacks and presently finds himself sharing a hospital room with Lucas.
Jacques finds himself on the heart donor list, but believes he will die soon. So his bright idea is to bring Lucas into his bar and spartan upstairs apartment, train him to run the business, then give it to him when he dies.
I believe there is a good movie within the framework of that plot, but it isn't the one they made. Too negative most of the time, too dark and depressing, and with an ending that the filmmakers must have thought, "Here's an ironic way to make all this come together."
SPOILERS: Lucas is a slow learner, by the standards that Jacques has set. With too much empathy for others, he takes in a French Flight Attendant who is afraid to fly anymore, and she asks him to marry her right away so she will have a residence. He does, and all this just infuriates Jacques more. But in the end, Jacques softens up, still has a bad heart and, when the duck being fattened for the holidays escapes to the street, Lucas is hit and killed, his "good heart" goes to Jacques, who we see recuperating on a tropical beach.
The first impression is one of dark and dirt. It is shot in a color style that evokes depression. The characters aren't happy, the situations aren't joyous, and this mood never changes so I found it hard to watch and enjoy.
We never find out any reason why, but Paul Dano as Lucas is without job or family and lives in a box under an elevated street in New York City. He opens a can, we don't know if it is tuna or pet food, he gives some to a kitten and eats the rest himself. Eventually he gets depressed to make a feeble attempt to kill himself, and doesn't succeed, but ends up in the hospital. There he meets Jacques.
We've seen Brian Cox in so many American roles it is easy to forget he is from Scotland. Here he is Jacques, gruff and anti-social owner of the Oyster Bar, which quit serving food after an oyster killed a customer for the prior owner, so now he only serves alcoholic drinks. In his quirkiness he has 3 rules ... no "walk-ins", no women, and no being nice to customers. He has had several heart attacks and presently finds himself sharing a hospital room with Lucas.
Jacques finds himself on the heart donor list, but believes he will die soon. So his bright idea is to bring Lucas into his bar and spartan upstairs apartment, train him to run the business, then give it to him when he dies.
I believe there is a good movie within the framework of that plot, but it isn't the one they made. Too negative most of the time, too dark and depressing, and with an ending that the filmmakers must have thought, "Here's an ironic way to make all this come together."
SPOILERS: Lucas is a slow learner, by the standards that Jacques has set. With too much empathy for others, he takes in a French Flight Attendant who is afraid to fly anymore, and she asks him to marry her right away so she will have a residence. He does, and all this just infuriates Jacques more. But in the end, Jacques softens up, still has a bad heart and, when the duck being fattened for the holidays escapes to the street, Lucas is hit and killed, his "good heart" goes to Jacques, who we see recuperating on a tropical beach.
Share your coconut, and then you understand what happiness is
Valid_ID26 February 2022
Endearing - if a little over the top- story, well acted.
In a nutshell, a cantankerous old man grows attached to a kind, destitute, young man. And the morale of the story is, you reap what you sow, as the good book says.
I am not going to give anything away by saying the movie starts with a little humor (offering to pay the hospital bill by donating sperm, lol), and soon transitions to a tender mood accompanied by the lullaby-like soundtrack.
The end is a little far-fetched though, the odds of that particular coincidence (which I won't spoil for you) being next to impossible.
In a nutshell, a cantankerous old man grows attached to a kind, destitute, young man. And the morale of the story is, you reap what you sow, as the good book says.
I am not going to give anything away by saying the movie starts with a little humor (offering to pay the hospital bill by donating sperm, lol), and soon transitions to a tender mood accompanied by the lullaby-like soundtrack.
The end is a little far-fetched though, the odds of that particular coincidence (which I won't spoil for you) being next to impossible.
Iceland has not perished
lee_eisenberg18 May 2010
Over the past two to three years, Iceland has mostly made news because of its economic meltdown and because of an unpronounceable volcano. Well, I would say that Dagur Kári's movie "The Good Heart" shows that the island still has a lot to offer us.
The movie tells the story of Jacques (Brian Cox) and Lucas (Paul Dano). Jacques is a short-tempered bartender who suffers a heart attack and is put in a hospital bed next to the derelict Lucas. Jacques decides to take Lucas under his wing and teach him the bar-tending business. Although not the nicest person, Jacques is determined to give Lucas a good life. But when Lucas takes unemployed flight attendant April (Isild Le Besco) his wing, the story gets started on an irreversible path.
The movie has really good character development. Just watching Jacques on the screen made me feel as if I was walking on eggshells. It certainly gave me an idea of what it must be like to be a bartender and have to deal with certain kinds of people every day. Even though Jacques is kind of nasty as a person, we understand why he's like this, and by extension get a sense of what Lucas and April have to put up with.
Like I said, it was a real surprise that much of the funding for "The Good Heart" came from Iceland, and that much of the crew and cast is from the North Atlantic island*. This movie could be seen as the manifestation of Ísland's** potential return from its economic collapse during the past few years. I strongly recommend "The Good Heart" and wish Iceland the best. Lofsöngur!
*Many of the names employed the letter thorn, written Þ (upper case) and þ (lower case).
**That's Iceland's name in Icelandic.
The movie tells the story of Jacques (Brian Cox) and Lucas (Paul Dano). Jacques is a short-tempered bartender who suffers a heart attack and is put in a hospital bed next to the derelict Lucas. Jacques decides to take Lucas under his wing and teach him the bar-tending business. Although not the nicest person, Jacques is determined to give Lucas a good life. But when Lucas takes unemployed flight attendant April (Isild Le Besco) his wing, the story gets started on an irreversible path.
The movie has really good character development. Just watching Jacques on the screen made me feel as if I was walking on eggshells. It certainly gave me an idea of what it must be like to be a bartender and have to deal with certain kinds of people every day. Even though Jacques is kind of nasty as a person, we understand why he's like this, and by extension get a sense of what Lucas and April have to put up with.
Like I said, it was a real surprise that much of the funding for "The Good Heart" came from Iceland, and that much of the crew and cast is from the North Atlantic island*. This movie could be seen as the manifestation of Ísland's** potential return from its economic collapse during the past few years. I strongly recommend "The Good Heart" and wish Iceland the best. Lofsöngur!
*Many of the names employed the letter thorn, written Þ (upper case) and þ (lower case).
**That's Iceland's name in Icelandic.
Two very good actors
franceshugg77728 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
An intriguing flick with wonderful performances by two of my favorite actors in parts that display their range. Both can be funny, ironic and can play a great hero or a villain with equal ease. The humor and the irony are subtle in this character driven film that truly captures your heart.
OK movie
kraset743 December 2010
Warning: Spoilers
The film is something between a feel-good and melancholic thoughtful movie. Sometimes, the dialog is really good, and the bar owner is great in his role.
However, the movie is a little bit too much predictable in many scenes. Sometimes, it's good when a film can't be put in a specific genre. But for this one, I wish it would have been more consequent in style. It feels like the director couldn't make up his mind.
For some interesting dialogs, the nice atmosphere and the great bar owner role, I give this movie 5/10.
*spoiler warning* For the lack of knowledge about what happened to the stewardess and for the 5-10 silent seconds before the end-music starts playing (sometimes, it add to the atmosphere to do like that, but here it was totally wrong) I can't give it more than 5.
If you don't have anything else to do, this film is OK to watch. (It's actually much better than most of what's going on the cinemas nowadays...)
However, the movie is a little bit too much predictable in many scenes. Sometimes, it's good when a film can't be put in a specific genre. But for this one, I wish it would have been more consequent in style. It feels like the director couldn't make up his mind.
For some interesting dialogs, the nice atmosphere and the great bar owner role, I give this movie 5/10.
*spoiler warning* For the lack of knowledge about what happened to the stewardess and for the 5-10 silent seconds before the end-music starts playing (sometimes, it add to the atmosphere to do like that, but here it was totally wrong) I can't give it more than 5.
If you don't have anything else to do, this film is OK to watch. (It's actually much better than most of what's going on the cinemas nowadays...)
Sweet, funny, and touching
Woodyanders15 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Grumpy misanthropic bar owner Jacques (robustly played with considerable cantankerous panache by Brian Cox) becomes a mentor to sensitive homeless young man Lucas (a fine and likeable performance by Paul Dano). Complications ensue after Lucas meets and falls for fellow lost soul April (an appealing portrayal by Isild Le Besco).
Writer/director Dagur Kari relates the engrossing and affecting story at a deliberate pace, maintains a charming whimsical tone throughout, presents a colorful array of quirky minor characters, and further spices things up with an amusing sense of offbeat, yet often crude and rowdy humor (the various coarse life lessons Jacques teaches to Lucas are frequently quite hysterical). Moreover, Kari not only gives this picture a teeming surplus of pure uplifting heart, but also makes a poignant central point on how one person can have a significant positive impact on another person and neatly pulls off a deliciously ironic happy ending. Cox and Dano display an utterly engaging natural chemistry in the lead roles. Rasmus Videbaek's faded color widescreen cinematography provides an appropriately washed-out look. A nice little movie.
Writer/director Dagur Kari relates the engrossing and affecting story at a deliberate pace, maintains a charming whimsical tone throughout, presents a colorful array of quirky minor characters, and further spices things up with an amusing sense of offbeat, yet often crude and rowdy humor (the various coarse life lessons Jacques teaches to Lucas are frequently quite hysterical). Moreover, Kari not only gives this picture a teeming surplus of pure uplifting heart, but also makes a poignant central point on how one person can have a significant positive impact on another person and neatly pulls off a deliciously ironic happy ending. Cox and Dano display an utterly engaging natural chemistry in the lead roles. Rasmus Videbaek's faded color widescreen cinematography provides an appropriately washed-out look. A nice little movie.
Why did he have to go and do this
tod30584 February 2010
After making such a great debut film Noi Albino, and following that up with the fairly enjoyable Dark Horse, it pains me to tell you that The Good Heart is a real let down. Apart from it's look I can't pick out any other positives. It's puzzling to know why the director decided to make this film in English, apart from maybe a greater chance at financial success, as the story and characters have no relevance to their surroundings. It's nauseatingly quirky, desperately predictable and me and my friends were extremely disappointed.
I plead to Dagur Kári, the director, to go back to where he knows and develop his trade. One more film like this and he will be well and truly struck off my list.
I plead to Dagur Kári, the director, to go back to where he knows and develop his trade. One more film like this and he will be well and truly struck off my list.
This one was a very pleasant surprise!
johnpdurant27 September 2023
It's rare that a film really grabs my attention in a way that this one did. This indie film was one I'd normally just move on past in the list of cable movies, but I'm sure glad I took the chance to watch it.
The acting and writing were amazing, and for those that don't mind rough language and raw humor, this was a real treat. This is a character study, comedy, and drama that's funny, rude, warm, cold, serious, moving, surprising, odd, eccentric, irreverent, and engaging.
If you have an open mind and nothing's too sacred, just sit down and enjoy the ride, and I promise you'll be glad you did. This one's very special in its own way.
The acting and writing were amazing, and for those that don't mind rough language and raw humor, this was a real treat. This is a character study, comedy, and drama that's funny, rude, warm, cold, serious, moving, surprising, odd, eccentric, irreverent, and engaging.
If you have an open mind and nothing's too sacred, just sit down and enjoy the ride, and I promise you'll be glad you did. This one's very special in its own way.
12 years later still a winner!
rsdrn-795318 December 2022
Found this movie during a sleepless night and what a gift! Loved it so much watched it 12 hours later and it effected me the same! This review gets long so I will start with: highly recommend!
Enjoyed the acting, the script, the characters the set, and even the strange music! I could not relate to any bit of it (functional crazies meet alcoholics)but found the story line compelling probably because it is an original! Thank you for that! Kindness personified in the most simple character who was completely and purely kind who lived a hard hopeless yet seemingly content life had to be taught to be rude. Lucas's extremely kind demeanor was so powerful it changed Jacques and more than saved his life, he gave him life!
The character Aprill was interesting but the ending was unresolved and I found that unsettling.
Enjoyed the acting, the script, the characters the set, and even the strange music! I could not relate to any bit of it (functional crazies meet alcoholics)but found the story line compelling probably because it is an original! Thank you for that! Kindness personified in the most simple character who was completely and purely kind who lived a hard hopeless yet seemingly content life had to be taught to be rude. Lucas's extremely kind demeanor was so powerful it changed Jacques and more than saved his life, he gave him life!
The character Aprill was interesting but the ending was unresolved and I found that unsettling.
Great Flick
dzadjagya9 February 2014
Here's a great line: Life's too short for lousy cars.
This is uttered while watching his old station wagon being crushed at the junkyard.
Here's a bit that's hilarious because the delivery is subtle: "It's amazing how broccoli always makes you f@rt.
In a way, broccoli is the embodiment of f@rt.
If you could capture a piece of f@rt; materialize it; I imagine it would look pretty much like broccoli.
the incarnation of f@rt." The movie kept me laughing and crying throughout.
This is uttered while watching his old station wagon being crushed at the junkyard.
Here's a bit that's hilarious because the delivery is subtle: "It's amazing how broccoli always makes you f@rt.
In a way, broccoli is the embodiment of f@rt.
If you could capture a piece of f@rt; materialize it; I imagine it would look pretty much like broccoli.
the incarnation of f@rt." The movie kept me laughing and crying throughout.
A movie that sticks with you
lucy_vault14 April 2024
A film that leaves you with pleasant emotions after watching it. This is not just a random flick that, as often happens, can be viewed once and forgotten, it is a picture that is imprinted in your mind for a long time. Perhaps it was the performance of Paul Dano, who plays the title role, that made such a vivid impression on me. This young actor, who conveys feelings sincerely and truthfully, is able to make a masterpiece out of a film. The plot of the picture is simple and complex. The relationship between the old bartender Jacques and a tramp named Lucas creates a sincere atmosphere that allows you to observe the changes in the ideology of the main character. The desire to help everyone becomes dissuading for the guy. But this is only the first part.
The second is the conclusion, which is sad, combined with slightly unexpected turn of events.
A sincere, vulnerable and slow-paced film with an ending that does not leave you indifferent.
The second is the conclusion, which is sad, combined with slightly unexpected turn of events.
A sincere, vulnerable and slow-paced film with an ending that does not leave you indifferent.
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