Despite a character's metaphorical comment that "talking about love is like dancing about architecture" (the latter of which, by the way, was this film's original and definitely awkward title), that's about all she and the rest of the characters do in writer/director Willard Carroll's sophomore release, "Playing By Heart," a less than stellar but still ultimately satisfying romantic drama.
While "talkfests" aren't always such a bad thing -- look at the fabulous films by David Mamet and Whit Stillman or TV's "Seinfeld" that went on for a decade talking about nothing in particular -- the only elements that keep this film afloat are its stellar cast and the easily solved "mystery" about how the six initially disparate stories are related.
Although it doesn't take a rocket scientist to quickly figure that out -- especially since such blatant, dialogue-based hints are continually dropped into obvious view -- this is another of those pictures where the summation of its parts is greater than any of its individual scenes. The average viewer might not particularly find any one scene to be fabulous, or, for that matter, even that memorable. Nonetheless, the cumulative effect slowly weaves its magic over the audience and gives the film a strong and congruous conclusion.
Carroll, whose previous credit was for helming the little seen horror flick "The Runestone" (and producing some kids' films such as "The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars"), should get kudos for somehow managing to attract a sizeable and formidably talented cast. In addition, he's got the confidence and gusto to attempt cramming all of those performers and six mini-plots in which they appear into this film's two-hour runtime. Uncertainty doesn't seem to be one of his weaker points.
Directly related, but on the flip side, however, the sheer number of plots and characters partially foil Carroll's -- and the film's -- attempts. With so many stories and people to follow, several things ultimately become inevitable.
First, one or more of the subplots will get shortchanged. While most of them do receive relatively equal amounts of screen time, the plots regarding the adulterous couple and the dying son don't get the proper attention or time that they need so that they can properly develop.
The uncommonly large number of those stories and characters likewise dilutes the film's overall thrust -- if such a strong term can even be used to describe the relatively passive plot elements -- by never allowing the audience to focus on or favor one or more of the characters. As soon as you try to do that, the film zips off to another plot featuring other characters, thus giving the film too much of an episodic, soap opera-ish feel.
Although ensemble performances can and do work -- "The Big Chill" is a prime example -- this film's disjointed approach never fully engages the audience on an emotional nor dramatic level, and it prevents the moviegoer from truly sympathizing with any of the characters. As such, this becomes more of an observational, rather than a participatory film.
Finally, while some of the plots are mildly interesting -- most notably the one regarding Dennis Quaid's seemingly pathological liar character who's followed by a mysterious woman -- the rest of them are rather blasé in their development. That only leaves the question of how these stories are related, and as stated before, it's not too difficult to figure that out, despite Carroll's apparent belief that it will all come as a big surprise in the final scene.
Instead, it's the cast's sheer star power and their delivered performances that carry this picture. "The Avengers" to the contrary, any film that features the incomparable Sean Connery ("The Rock") immediately scores high marks in the minds of most critics and many moviegoers. The scenes pairing him with the equally talented Gena Rowlands ("Hope Floats") are clearly the film's best, and one only wishes they had more screen time and domestic ammo to volley back and forth at each other.
Yet the film offers even more small delights from its performers. Gillian Anderson (best known for her role on TV's "The X-Files") continues to prove that those believing her doomed to be typecast forever as an FBI agent were dead wrong. Meanwhile, up and coming star Angeline Jolie (the HBO movie "Gia") easily commands the screen whenever she's present, and further cements her status as the next "hot" thing in Hollywood.
The always reliable Dennis Quaid ("The Parent Trap") delivers a fun take on his extroverted introverted character, while Ellen Burstyn ("The Spitfire Grill") and Jay Mohr ("Picture Perfect") bring believable compassion and depth to their characters and their subplot that's the most removed from the others. The rest of the cast, from the more well-known Anthony Edwards (TV's "E.R.") to the lesser-known Ryan Phillippe ("54"), and many others, also deliver decent performances.
Although Carroll's script doesn't offer any big revelations about relationships that we haven't already seen before, and only manages to squeeze in a few witty moments instead of the occasional and more needed belly laugh, or even more intelligent dialogue, the film still manages to work and should satisfy those looking for a different, but still appealing romantic drama.
As far as the DVD itself, beyond the odd aspect ratio in which it's presented, this isn't much more than a glorified VHS version of the movie. While the picture quality looks great (beyond the occasionally squeezed scenes), the disc offers no supplemental material (not even the standard theatrical trailer).
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