Coração Leal

I thought this was a pretty good adventure flick. Not for everyone, but it was an entertaining midday movie if nothing more.

This movie is definitely more for kids and families. Some of the elements verge on magical (which has got some of the commenters on this site up in arms but I think the point is to suspend your disbelief: it's an adventure flick for children), morality is the primary focus and the line between good and evil is clearly defined.

Basically it's the story of how 2 children, Bonnie and Sam, find their way to safety after their plane crashes in the wilderness helped by nature-loving wilderness-man Khonanesta and hindered by a group of greedy, selfish poachers with guns. The kids sort of find themselves in the middle of an existing battle over the bears.

There are a few moral issues raised, which is standard and I think appropriate for the target audience. The conservation of nature vs the greed of the poachers (who are clearly defined as "bad guys" from the get-go). Acceptance and looking beyond first impressions are major themes - the kids have to learn to trust Khonanesta who seems strange to them at first (they also have to trust the bear to a degree). There is also an ongoing moral sub-plot about how they can't let go of the memory of their dead father and have a strong resentment towards their stepfather which Khonanesta tries to help them resolve.

Kirsten Dunst is always good, and always seems to have a knack for action/adventure- which this movie is certainly equal parts of. The Home Improvement kid was pretty stilted, didn't seem to really make much of his character which made parts of the script drag. Their relationship could have been more convincing. The Khonanesta character was a bit clichéd, they could have done better here.

If you're looking for gritty realism you won't find it here, but if that's the case get outta the family section and grab something based on a true story. If you're after a story of hope and courage - family style - then you're on the right track with this one.

Kirsten was 15 when she starred in this and shows her acting chops at this tender age. Great Canadian scenery is the real "star' and makes one wonder how they hauled all the rigs thru those mountains! A feel-good story with a feel-good ending. So, why not just enjoy it with your claws withdrawn. The Native actor, Mister August Schellenberger (he's half Mohawk), has a resume as long as the Empire State building is tall....and just as impressive. R.I.P., sir! A well-spent 90-somethng minutess....entertaining, for that's what movies are s'posed to do = entertain, eh, wot?

Siblings Bonnie (Kirsten Dunst) and Sam (Zachery Ty Bryan) are flying to Vancouver on a small plane when it crashes. They survive and is found by Khonanesta, a native protector of the bears. He warns them of bad men, poachers out killing bears. He guides them to a nearby logging camp but are constantly hunted by the poachers.

The basic problem is that the poachers have no reason to kill or kidnap the kids at the beginning. The story has to be written better. Khonanesta might be better as a guardian spirit. It's that unreal and it would be more compelling. The poachers don't make sense. Then the cops and parents arrive. Nobody really makes much sense. They barely have a gun between them as they ride into the woods full of armed poachers. The guns always jam as the poachers get mauled by the bear. It's just a lot of bad writing.

I have actually to this date seen the last half hour of this movie. But let me tell you, the music was just awesome. I loved the voices, and the Indian music. I wish there was a score CD available. A great movie overall!! Kirsten Dunst is great, and pretty

The reason True Heart doesn't get a ten is because it does simplify certain situations, which lower the films believability. However, this does not ruin the film, if you are the type of person that doesn't expect life to always show up as black or white. Also, given that young children are a part of its target audience, it makes sense not to make the stories events too involved. Children are great at using their imaginations to fill in the blanks, or at just accepting something at face value. So don't get stuck on the few moments in the film where moments are oversimplified. Instead, let yourself get lost in the amazing, beautiful scenery, and the mystical and magical undertones that leave you feeling inspired and hopeful about life, and the world. Yes, the Native American is slightly stereotyped, but look past that to his modeling of how to embrace, be respectful, patient, compassionate, passionate, reverent, graceful, courageous, kind and caring. As for the children, perhaps the heart on her sleeve, leaping in, openly passionate girl's character is easier to connect with, but the boy's character, with his closely held emotions, quiet passion, cautious - but still open to the world around him - exploration might be more interesting, if you give him a chance. If nothing else, they are a nice complement to each other... a good reminder of how different, yet similar we are as human beings. Go on, watch this film using your child-mind. View it from a place of curiosity, innocence, and imagination. You won't be sorry.