Lonely Hearts (2006) Reviews

• Film noire + femme fatale + murder = one terrific movie

  Craig_McPherson2007-09-02

  "You know what they say about cops and donuts" quips Salma Hayek's character Martha Beck to James Gandolfini in the movie Lonely Hearts, "they're only good when they have a hole in them." This, coupled with Gandolfini's retort "funny, they say the same thing about women", captures the essence of the Chandler-esquire dialog that peppers this true crime homage to film noir. The movie tells the story of Raymond Fernandez (Jared Leto) and Martha Beck who carved out their own chapter in the annals of crime history during the 1940s as the Lonely Hearts Killers. Together, Fernandez and Beck ran a con game using personal ads to seek out wealthy widows and single women with money. Fernandez would engage in correspondence with the women, eventually meeting them and gaining their trust as well as access to their money. Beck, would accompany him posing has his sister, helping Fernandez gain the trust of their victims, whom the two murdered after they'd drained their bank accounts. At the time of their capture, the body count they'd racked up was estimated at between 12 and 20. Directed by Todd Robinson, the grandson of detective Elmer Robinson (played by John Travolta), the story alternates between that of Fernandez and Beck, and pursuing detectives Robinson and Hildebrandt (Gandolfini), with Gandolfini handling the connecting voice-over narration in traditional film noire patter. Although some details are condensed for narrative purposes, the story largely sticks to the facts of the couple's actual murder spree, the only glaring discrepancy being the casting of Hayek as Beck, who in reality was a rotund, unattractive, battleaxe of a woman who maintained Fernandez's loyalty by granting his every sexual wish. The producers can be forgiven for opting to cast Hayek instead of a more credible Rosie O'Donnell type, however, as Hayek brings more than mere eye-candy to her role. She plays a sadistic, manipulative, cold-blooded murderer to the hilt, and practically serves as the driving engine for the film's story. With a crackerjack cast of Travolta, Gandolfini, Hayek, Leto and Laura Dern (as Robinson's love interest) all bringing their A-game, coupled with a smartly written screenplay, snappy dialog, good pacing, excellent cinematography and direction, the only oddity about this film is that it was relegated to limited theatrical release, largely playing a few festivals before being relegated to DVD. Unlike the case it is based on, this is one crime that probably will remain unsolved.

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• Dramatized True Crime at it finest!

  guitarcarl2006-12-09

  This is an excellent film. Filmed in a classic "Film Noir" style, it is both dark and engaging. The script is well written and expertly crafted. The pace is fluid and the characters are well developed. The score is appropriate and effective. It helps create tension and mood without becoming oppressive as many scores do. The cinematography is absolutely terrific and creates a dark and intimate view. All these elements combine to create an excellent environment for what is a truly inspiring cast. It would be difficult to overstate the quality performances of the entire cast. John Travolta was completely convincing as he always is but I think he may have surprised even his most supportive fans. He nailed the part hands down. In one scene he suspects a dead body is possibly hidden in a box and the mood he creates as he approaches and investigates the box is riveting. But the true star of this movie was without doubt Salma Hayek. She was mesmerizing as Martha Beck, a true masterpiece. She played evil so well it was spooky. Most people who watch this movie are going to really enjoy how carefully she seduces the viewer into her despotic plans. This is certainly one of her finest portrayals and shows she has considerable acting depth. A nasty "femme fatale" may not be a huge stretch for her but she really did a terrific job. "Lonely Hearts" is not a family movie. There is plenty of blood, boobs and bad language. The movie deals with very heavy themes like suicide and child murder. And to make matters worse for young ones the story is true. Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez were real monsters and the movie shows more than enough to make that clear to anyone including kids. I am a big fan of true crime and this film is really great. For me at least, it was one of the best I've seen in a long time. If you are an adult I recommend this film. Dramatized True Crime at it finest!

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• Decide for yourself but I thought it was excellent.

  apriliam32006-11-25

  I'm losing faith in this forum and some of the people that vote here... How can you possibly rate this film as a 1 or 2 or 3? Each to their own I suppose and for whatever reasoning or motives... For myself, I found this movie to be excellent. It held my interest from start to finish - and the finish was satisfying. Gandolfini and Travolta were excellent as you would and should expect. Salma Hayek gave what I think should be an award winning performance. Jared Leto was also superb... I can't say I've noticed him in anything of note before this. It was also nice to see Laura Dern again - I've been hot for her since watching Rambling Rose : ) All I can say is watch this movie and decide for yourself. I definitely recommend it.

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• Salma Hayek ! in Full Femme Fatale Mode A.K.A Oscar Nomination

  osminbet2006-06-08

  Well let me tell you. James Galdolfini and John Travolta were there and Todd Robinson gave a Q & A for about 10 minutes. The Film: The film is excellent, the story, the editing, the costume, the cinematography. It is a really well made film. The score was great also. From 1-10 I give the film and 8. The Acting: Travolta, Gandolfino, Leto and Dern are good....However is Salma Hayek who steals the show. Her performance is like taken from a Film Noir of the 40s. She is volatile, sadistic and evil conniving femme fatale. She scores the best performance by far. Her lines are great and she looks stunning. You actually forget she is Salma Hayek. She becomes one with her character. My Prediction: Salma Hayek will score an Oscar Nomination as Best Supporting Actress for her compelling and superb performance. Salma gives a career changing performance. You forget she is the same actress that worked in such films as Wild Wild West and Bandidas. In the Lonely Hearts, she is glamorous. She is truly a "femme fatale." Her character is trying to find happiness, however she is looking for it in the wrong places. From the beginning, Salma Hayek's Martha Beck is powerful, complicated, passionate and SICK! By the time the film is ending, you see a dark, evil and destroyed character, yet you feel her pain. She wants happiness all along, but did not find it. Best Lines: Martha: Has Anybody Ever Loved You that Much Detective? Martha: To Kill or Die....For You In this scene she already has been captured and in being interrogated. She has no make-up and she looks evil! Yet mesmerizing. What I think could get her a nomination is that: She is not a leading character, yet she controls the movie. She has the emotional part on her side.

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• Compelling yet repulsive film

  toobisbee2006-05-26

  I checked this film out at the Jacksonville Film Festival last weekend, and I've been thinking about it ever since. On the one hand, I can say I'm proud to live in the city where such a brilliantly directed and photographed film was made; on the other, this is a film I don't believe I ever need to watch again. The performances of all the principal players - particularly Travolta, Gandolfini, Dern, Leto and Hayek - are amazing, brilliant, utterly believable, etc. The set and costume design, and cinematography are by themselves worthy of at least Academy Award nominations. And the story (based on real events, although I'm sure much was fictionalized), is both riveting and repulsive. Salma Hayek stands out particularly for her portrayal of the seductive, depraved and sadistic Martha Beck, one half of the brutal "Lonely Hearts" killers. She should come with her own tag line, "If looks could kill..." Hayek's interpretation of this character is the polar opposite of Charlize Theron's in "Monster," but no less effective. I'm thinking that if Ms. Theron's work in that film deserved an Oscar, then Ms. Hayek deserves no less for the amazing way she makes her "beautiful butcher" completely believable. Without spoiling the plot, let me just provide this advisory. If brutal, bloody murders, suicides, explicit (non-erotic) sexuality, and the constant dropping of the "F-bomb" - not in a sexual way - are not your thing, then you may want to skip this film. It's not a date movie or a chick flick by any means, despite the romantic come-on in the title. The film is almost completely devoid of humor; humor would seem inappropriate in this context. Although justice is apparently served - this is revealed at the very beginning of the film - no one will walk away from this film feeling very uplifted by what they will have just seen.

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