Hungry for Love

"Victor" works in up state New York at a small bar/diner. He is painfully shy, depending to a great extent, on his mother's care and direction. A new waitress, played by Liv Tyler, is hired. Victor is charmed by her kindness and looks. Pruitt Taylor Vince gives a fine performance as "Victor". Shelley Winters plays Dolly, his mother. Debbie Harry is great as Delores, a co-worker who seems to have a chip on her shoulder. This movie tries to provide a meaningful character study and, for the most part, succeeds. I cared for the characters and felt that I knew them well. The problem is that Victor does not progress. He talks very little and I felt that the answers were very slow in coming. It was a frustration sometimes. Even so, Heavy provides us with a film that will stay with you. I gave it a 7 of 10. Good direction by and script by James Mangold. A memorable sound track that fits the film well.

Heavy is a film about sad and desperate people, all of whom seem to have nothing to look forward to. At the center of the film is Victor, played magnificently by Pruitt Taylor Vince. He's the cook at his mother's restaurant. Victor goes about his job and life almost mechanically, he rarely say a word and his movement is limited. Until a couple of major event in his environment happens. One the hiring of a beautiful young waitress named Callie(Liv Tyler) which represent to Victor something wonderful and unattainable. Yet it gives him hope for his empty existence. The second major event is tragic, yet Victor hides it from everyone around him because he wants things to stay the same. He has no sense of what else is there for him. Yet this event might give him the opportunity to go out and see what's beyond the front door of his mom's restaurant. The final reel shows that whereas the other character's lives seem to be continuing the same pattern of sadness and despair. Victor might try to move on with his. Particularly his interaction with a convenience store female clerk with whom he's never spoken to before. It's not much but it's a start.

Solemn, but vivid, lovely mood piece about a shy, chubby cook in a river town restaurant who fantasizes about getting to know the new waitress, a perky young thing with long brunette hair and a big charming smile. Graceful film never goes the commercial route, neither injecting shady characters into the mix nor throwing in blatant jokes to give the film comedic uplift. The picture is all on one level, which may drive some viewers batty with impatience, but I found it quietly invigorating. The lead character, Victor (Pruitt Taylor Vince), daydreams, watches airplanes, has secret hopes; he's a loner, and the filmmakers are careful not to flood the screen with potential conquests. There's Debbie Harry as a loose waitress with weary eyes and Liv Tyler, the new hire, who brings fantasy into Victor's life; but, as with all fantasies, the advent of reality diffuses the passionate tension. Director James Mangold is observant and aware, putting this character portrait on film with admirable eloquence. It's his "Marty". *** from ****

This movie had a lot of potential. The biggest issue I have with it is the main character seems to have more going on mentally than being overweight. The writing is not effective at showing us what this is. He hardly talks and has trouble being around people. They should have done a better job showing he was either on the spectrum or had some trauma to explain his odd behavior. The acting is fine but the story lacks depth in many of the subplots. There are too many holes in the story and by the end you are left with a feeling of disgust. At the main character and all other characters in the film.

This is a movie that I almost didn't watch because it was to be about a fat pizza cook. After watching for thirty minutes, it was obvious that the movie was about the very sensitive feelings of someone who is over weight. The performance by Pruitt Taylor Vince was very impressive, and I felt if not winning an Academy Award, should have at least been nominated. Few actors can express as much without saying a word, as he did in this very powerful and touching movie.