Hearts of Fire

I don't know how this movie was funded and let alone released on any medium. No, wait, I do, two words: Bob Dylan. This movie is awful and yet my friends and I can't stop watching it. First off, it stars a nobody (Fiona) who does not carry herself at all well. For her sake, I will blame her performance on lack of experience. Then there is the editing... lets just say that brevity was not a strong point. An example, about a minute and a half of Fiona yelling "screw you" back and forth to her boss. Doesn't one or two "screw you"s say enough - get on with it.

But neither of these items are half as bad as the script which makes no sense. Early on Billy Parker (Dylan) is asked why he is in town and answers with telling a story about how his parents met, then he says why he is in town. Or this piece of dialogue:

Dylan: When was the last time you wrote a song?

Everett: 2 years.

Dylan: And the last time you toured?

Everett: A year and a half.

(Pause)

Dylan: Got any Johnny Cash albums?

Everett: A few.

Dylan and Everett: (Uncontrollable laughter)

What? Huh? So many bad lines so little writing space.

And despite all this I enjoyed watching this film. It's like that wrecked car on the road, you've seen it before but have to watch it through. I must say I enjoyed watching Dylan, listening to the poor 80's music, Timmy Cappello on drums, and the various mullets (Rupert's was inspiring). Also, I enjoyed the worst (and funniest) punch in film history so much, that I replay it at least three times each time I watch the film.

This should be the classic of all the dramas which intends to lead by something more than a story.Music naturally seems to fit in it and the surroundings are pretty documentary and simple.The "sleepy"town and an "ordinary"girl with husky voice and not so handsome guy brightens. Personally I saw the girl as the symbolic of AMERICA,living to keep and show her passion,with a lion like hair and never try to hide it.

Ok, the story is cliche and basically not-so-good. What got me through the entire film was Fiona and Bob Dylan. Fiona's music was incredible! And I always love watching Dylan sing/play (if not act). And while Fiona's acting was passable, she is very telegenic; she looks quite good on screen.

I never heard of Fiona, but apparently she made several albums, then disappeared from the music scene. Her full name is Fiona Flanagan. I'd love to find some more of her music.

Actually, even as poor as the film was, I'd like to find a copy of the soundtrack. About half the tracks are suppose to be hers.

You have to really love the guy to watch this film. It's pretty bad, but, he looks great! The songs. . . well, I've heard better. And, who is Fiona????!!!

Some great cameos. . . and was that Mick Jagger in the audience at one of the concerts??? I think so.

When Hearts of Fire first came out on VHS, I rented it and my 13 year old daughter and I curled up with a big bowl of popcorn and watched. We groaned and we laughed and had a good time. I don't know what people were expecting when they saw this film. The preview photos provided a big clue of what was coming. It amazes me this film gets the bad rap that it does. It was my introduction to Rupert Everett, and I'm glad, because I've really enjoyed a lot of his films over the years. Dylan has held a place in my heart and record collection (beginning with records, then tapes, then CDs, now MP3) since his first album. And I enjoyed new-comer Fiona and was surprised she didn't have more of a career than she did. Although, I've discovered watching Dylan in film over the years, it helps if you view the film as if you're watching poetry in motion.

In the past year, I found a used VHS in excellent condition online, and am happy to have it in my film collection, although I'd prefer it on DVD. Films and rock music: how seriously can these things be taken?