The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1968)

A statement about loneliness, community, and openly caring for others.

This is a great movie with messages that are timeless. Alan Arkin is wonderful as a deaf mute who cares deeply for people in pain. However, he cannot seem to communicate his own pain to others nor obtain comforting, love or a feeling of belonging for himself. I took his deaf-mute character as being a symbol for the many good people in our society who "can't quit fit-in" due to personal or social barriers that get in the way. This movie also shows the ultimate tragedy that occurs when people are "forgotten."

A young Sondra Locke is very good in her role, but does tend to "over act" a bit. The other characters do a fine job with there roles. Some younger viewers may find the style and values of the era portrayed--late 50's to early 60's--to be dated and hard to relate with. If they can look past the surface features of the movie and see the humanity I think they will be touched.
February 11, 2008

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

I have waited quite a while for this movie to come out on DVD. Finally it was released, Amazon of course had it and I watched it three times in one day. It is in my top five movies, and I highly recommend spending your time and money on this movie. Thanks Amazon! February 11, 2008

One Of My TopTen Favorites of all time

Arkin is brilliant. He actually learned to sign for this film, and his portrayal of a deaf-mute is incredible. There are several different stories within this film whose characters all come together at the end. The most riveting performance of all is given by Cicely Tyson who plays the daughter of a local doctor. Arkin's character, John Singer is responsible for breaking down a lifetime of prejudice on both their parts, even after Tyson's character suffers a personal tragedy because of racial injustice. Noone should miss this film. January 25, 2008

Arkin and Locke Heart of Film.

I've never read Carson McCullers' source novel but judging by this film it must be a tough translation. A lot of Alan Arkin's work as John Singer, a deaf mute, requires him to externalize his internal pain through facial expressions and hand gestures. That's a tall order for any actor and Arkin is among our best but somehow I think the film falls short. Not in the perjorative sense, but with Singer's seersucker suit and crewcut and his humanitarianism I was reminded of a yesteryear Forrest Gump. Sondra Locke is a revelation as Mick, the daughter of Singer's landlady. Mick is a dreamer who wants to break free, as would any adolescent, from the rigidity of her surroundings. Singer, whose prison is the handicap he is saddled with, developes an obvious kinship with Mick. Locke is best known for her work in Clint Eastwood films, who she developed an offscreen love affair with. I can't help but wonder whether that relationship stunted Locke's growth in films. The film, set in the South in the late sixties, tackles issues of racism and bigotry but in nothing more than a perfunctory way. "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" is a pleasant film that doesn't quite live up to it's lofty ambitions. January 22, 2008

Classic Arkin and Introducing Locke!

We have to give Warner Bros credit for releasing Classic almost forgotten catalog titles from their vault. Hopefully they will continue onward with further releases like these and The Ritz, Personal Best, Pay Day, and Tell Me a Riddle. Heart is a Lonely Hunter introduces us to Sondra Locke more famously known as Clint Eastwoods former love interest and co-star. Here is really shines alongside a great supporting cast. Locke has the look that we now see in Sarah Polley. Alan Arkin is also great in Hunter. Some critics and fans of the book aren't fans of the film so much but the film is really well made and everyone is great. Dave Grusins score also stands out. Warner Bros does include the original WB Seven Arts film log as the movie opens for the purists out there who hate it when WB's omits the classic logos and just shows the more recent WB logo. Great release to any classic film collection. January 15, 2008

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