Lonely Hearts (1982)
Grade: 67
"Lonely Hearts" is an engaging romantic comedy, gentle and ironic in its writing and direction. An Australian production, it is refreshing in its unpredictability, its indifference to marketing demographics, and in the depth and credibility of its lead characters.
Peter (Norman Kaye) is a middle-aged man who has spent his life living with his mother, who has recently died. He makes a modest living as a piano tuner, and has a number of friends, mostly involved with amateur theater. He joins a dating service and is assigned Patricia (Wendy Hughes), a thirtyish woman who is inhibited and frigid, perhaps due to her controlling and demanding parents.
Some of the supporting characters are interesting. There is a blunt, despairing play director (Jon Finlayson) who seems to live for his amateur productions. Patricia's father (Vic Gordon) seems intent on keeping his daughter emotionally dependent and without relationships.
The wry script deftly nails some of the difficulties associated with romantic relationships, especially the unrealistic expectations that can come with them. The low budget shows, however, as the sets and cinematography are limited, and most of the film has a playlike atmostphere.
"Lonely Hearts" won the Best Film award from the Australian Film Institute. It was also nominated for Best Actor (Kaye), Best Actress (Hughes), Best Direction (Paul Cox), and Best Screenplay (Cox and John Clarke).
briankoller@usa.net http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html
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