Hungry Hearts

It's hard to imagine what goes through people's heads dealing with mental illness but this dives head first into the empty pool & it's very realistic and nerve racking

I'll admit, I was only interested in seeing this initally because I'm a huge Adam Driver fan. I knew nothing about the plot going in but found myself hooked on what I found to be a really stunning film.

At times the film almost feels like theatre, with some scenes being filmed in such a way that you feel like you're in the room with them. In a way it makes Jude and Mina's relationship feel all the more real; from their unlikely romantic start right through it's eventual unravelling. There are times in the film where Mina's presence almost evokes a sense of horror in the film, carefully crafted by the film's score.

Hungry Hearts perhaps finds its best quality in it's tonal shift from beginning to end, as well as the outstanding performances by both Adam and Alba, who give such an honesty to the characters that it's hard to feel as if you don't know them personally. I think the film does a great deal to question the moral stance of the viewer: each of the main characters makes decisions throughout the film that are questionable at best, but when put into context are almost justified by their personal idea of what is best for the baby. Almost.

Coming out of the film, it's hard not to imagine what might have happened if Mina's mental illness had been treated, and how that might have affected the films trajectory. Either way, I know Hungry Hearts will sit with me for a while.

Hungry Hearts is a phrase play on words. It is a potent combination of words. The film showcases the blurred sense of what is conceived as normal in modern society. Normal as in interpersonal relationships, honesty, frankness, the depth of knowing one another, as well as in self awareness. The personal freedom, freedom of choices, what is considered to be an informed choice. How long can a partner respect the choices of the loved one? What is love and at what point does it start to turn into crippling obsession or mental illness. When the heart is hungry it clouds the senses. "Its a phase mum, it will pass." If you are in it you can't see the full spectrum of it. A spectator can. A wise grandmother whose heart is not hungry anymore, can feel the real responsibility of bringing up a child of a selfless point of you. It is not about you or your partner, it is about that new person that has been brought into this world hungry!

I have an impression that people disliking this movie just can't stand the harshness of real life or what it can be like. My life and my family life is warmth and mutual trust and understanding, however, I was on the verge of postnatal depression, so i can relate to this. I hate the way Mina reacts, though, but the actress's performance is amazing. I was so depressed when my first child was born - but I always blamed myself. it lasted just for a month or so and I was aware that I wasn't right - it was just mum's striving for perfection - but I can also relate to the fact that there are women who didn't have the support and who just have the wrong perception and this is what i liked about this movie - the reactions of all charters are so believable... Being a parent I felt this so deeply... Adam and Alba, and also Roberta were amazing in their parts. I like the way camera angle changes to show the state of mind of the characters.... The ending could have been just a little bit more elaborated....

Great acting, but for me it was difficult and painful to watch. The plot, combined with the way it was filmed, these weird angels, it was a bit too much.