Heartland

This movie was well acted and put together, and I enjoyed it.

However, it in no way matched the description, from my point of view and the whole thing was a little obvious.

I mean literally 10 minutes into the film, i knew more or less what was going to happen.

Ok this movies does not need to be taken very seriously and just enjoyed. Loved the 2 main characters and felt the chemistry between the same way great seen it multiple times Great job by the director in creating a Lovley movie.

I was surprised the IMDb rating wasn't higher. This is one where you should watch it and decide for yourself. I didn't expect a lot, but it far surpassed my expectations and went quite a way beyond. The portrayal of someone coping with the loss of a loved one to cancer was spot-on. They also nailed the confused and messy state of attraction and love. The portrayal of family life and a conservative community? Also apt. Thought the lead actress' performance was especially good. If you're looking for a cheap woman-on woman-movie (which, admittedly, can have its benefits at times), this is mostly not it (there was one notably passionate encounter). If you want a drama punctuated with a bit of humor that will leave you wanting a big glass of red wine, this is it.

There is a little disconnect in Heartland. The opening, the main story (once the brother and girlfriend arrive), and the end. The three are related but a bit disjointed.especially the ending which goes off in a rather unexpected and not totally well developed, even if somehow satisfying direction.

I found the depiction of small town events to be quite convincing for the most part in particular the picnic scene and the sales pitch for a multilevel marketing product was so spot on.

The main romance section was well done and convincing as was the eventual reveal even if the aftermath will leave one head scratching and a suffering bit of whiplash. Despite that it was the right ending.

All that said it was a good effort well paced and acted.

Heartland (2016) was directed by Maura Anderson. It stars Velinda Godfrey as Lauren, a young lesbian woman whose partner has just died. Lauren moves back to her family home in Guthrie, Oklahoma, to live with her mother, Crystal. (Played amazingly well by Beth Grant.) Crystal has been a widow for 15 years. She spends her time scrapbooking and going to church. She's unfailingly cheerful. She loves her daughter, but won't accept the fact that Lauren is a lesbian.

Enter Lauren's brother, Justin (Aaron Leddick), who knows how to pray when he has to pray, and how to earn money when there's money to be earned. His fiancé, Carrie (Laura Spencer) is from the Napa Valley, and she's out of place in Guthrie. When Justin has to leave on a business trip, it falls to Lauren to provide guidance for Carrie about the Guthrie culture. That's where the plot really begins.

I enjoyed this film, but it wasn't a movie I would recommend enthusiastically. It was interesting, but not ultimately satisfying.

We saw this film at the excellent Little Theatre in Rochester, as the opening movie of ImageOut, the outstanding LGBTQ film festival. This was Heartland's New York State Premiere.( Everyone assumes that any independent film that will open in NYS will open in New York City. Not always.)

Director Maura Anderson was present for Q&A after the film. What she saw as the strength of her film was what made me slightly uncomfortable. Nothing really was resolved at the end. That's the film she wanted, and that's the film she made. I'm impressed at the way she carried out her concept from the start to the finish, and I give her my compliments.

P.S. For some reason IMDb won't accept my vote for this movie. I would have given it an 8.

P.P.S. Although Guthrie is only about 20 mile outside of Oklahoma City, it really is a rural part of the state. The National Finals Steer Roping Rodeo is held in Guthrie.