Ein gutes Herz

This movie is about Brian Cox... Director Dagur Kari provides a stage. Paul Dano is great being a looking-glass. But Brian Cox's Jacques is monumental, he literally carries the action from the first second he steps in. He energizes the viewer, no matter how one classifies his moral actions. The bar scene is one of surrealistic charm, dwelled by decameronesque characters and maintained as a personal fiefdom by Jacques. The short story on the cover is "A bartender takes a young homeless man in under his wing" but there is so MUCH more to it. Lucas (Paul Dano) represents here a humanity clear of prejudice, pure and immortal. The suicide attempt doesn't stop him. Nor does death itself, his heart symbolically living on in another body. Supporting actress Isild le Besco is somehow incongruous, offering not believable French accented replies. Underwhelming, as her debut movies in France, where her naked skin prevails. Probably a strong actress, I am thinking here Emily Mortimer, or Marie-Louise Parker, or, -if they really wanted a French one, how about Sandrine Kiberlain? -would have done much better. Solidly memorable, Brian Cox gives this movie so much personality and energy that only true talent can offer. In line with Anthony Hopkins and Ben Kingsley, Cox is another Musqueteer of a generation of powerful performances from Britain to enchant us. Watch this great movie, and a bar will never look the same to you!

I like Brian Cox, I like Paul dando. I like the premise of them, chalk and cheese characters in a seedy bar discussing life from two very different standpoints. This is what i was expecting. But for me it got much too busy. Too many inconsequential characters, uninteresting backstory for the Cox character, the hospital scenarios were hackneyed tropes repeated ad nauseam.

Despite the, at times laugh out loud humour, it was a dark depressing film, not helped by the bar interior, seedy yes, but this was Victorian workhouse bleak.

Left me feeling disappointed, that an opportunity had been missed. It wasn't the film I wanted to see, left me feeling sad tbh.

This is a must see movie - goes on my list all time favorites.

It is not a thriller but there is never a dull moment. It is no comedy either yet there were several occasions where I was laughing so hard that I was almost out of breath. It's difficult to classify.

The script has everything. Excellent plot, really fantastic dialogs, interesting characters, unexpected turns and a surprise ending... a great story and its well told.

The quality is excellent: filming, lighting, soundtrack, props, costumes ... everything.

Brian Cox is fantastic as the grumpy bar owner... Paul Dano is convincing as the homeless young man.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film.

Brilliantly dark and hilarious. Shot in a bar in Reicuvic, Iceland by the director of Noi Albinoi, and the two brilliant actors from the mesmerising L.I.E. With a brilliant performance from Brian Cox.

The director has the way of putting his own Icelandic feel to this movie with its very greenish feel in the artistic shots. which were shot in New York and a mocked-up bar in Reicuvic.

Totally brilliant humour throughout mixed with the serious moody Brian Cox and upbeat Paul Dano, merges together once again to give a good mix.

Definitely the best thing I have seen in the 2010 EIFF, and one I recommend for all to see.

The Good Heart is the perfect title for this gem. It lives up the name in every way.

It's an interesting character study about an old man who owns a dive bar in New York city, and the homeless youngster he takes under his wing. Add in the grizzly characters who frequent the bar, and a lone lady friend who's also an interesting case study. There's also a curious, entertaining pet that joins the scene at the bar. However, the film isn't contained to just the bar.

The movie is shot with a filter that gives it a semi black and white feel, which doesn't distract but adds to the ambience of the film.

The acting is solid and the script is well written. The plot and storyline flow seamlessly from beginning to end.

And the end- the end really brings it all home to a, well, heartfelt conclusion. I rated it a 7 because it really hits the humanistic side of the lives of the main characters.