Texas Heart

A brilliant film! Great performances, great script, witty and moving. The story spans a number of different directions, following multiple characters and it's to the filmmakers credit that when the drama really comes knocking, you really give a damn. Again to make a film that takes you through such an array of different emotions is a real triumph. This independent production is worth the time!

A wonderful, character-driven story about a loveless mob lawyer on the lam who ends up in small town Texas hoping to reinvent himself (and stay clear of the pursuing mob). Terrific performances from relative newcomers Kam Dabrowski (as a mentally-challenged young man, Tiger), Erik Fellows (as Peter, the mob lawyer on the run), and Jared Abrahamson (playing the rebellious, volatile football star, Roy), along with truly memorable work by Johnny Dowers as the Sheriff, Susie McPhail as the 'Pie Lady', Blake Clark as the local barkeep/gun seller, Stid, and the incomparable Lin Shaye, of INSIDIOUS fame, (as Ms. Smith, the mob boss) and THE DEER HUNTER'S John Savage, as the alcoholic father--all this makes Texas Heart an emotionally involving ensemble film with committed actors directed by the energetic and amazing indie director, Mark David. A must-see!

Might be what you'd get if Bill Forsythe's Local Hero ventured into John Grisham territory about a city slicker lawyer who finds his true purpose and redemption in a small Texas town. Heartfelt, soulful, gripping and gut-wrenching, Texas Heart grabs you with a tense, rapid fire opening courtroom scene and never lets go. It works so well because, as other reviewers have said, the script, acting, editing and overall production values (other than a tad underpopulated final courtroom scene) are all first rate. The dialogue really crackles. Favorite line: "That's what you get for messin' with Texas!" Great to see John Savage in a meatier role than his cameo in Return to Twin Peaks. Lin Shaye is a terrific, take-no-prisoners villain. The movie has a wonderful feel for small town life and great affection for its denizens, even the losers. It's like sinking into a great novel. The denouement is pretty damn unlikely but undeniably satisfying. Hey, it's a movie that believes in fate. And its heart, its great big Texas heart, is always in the right place.

Texas Heart is an indie suspense film directed by Mark David. The plot concerns a man on the run who ends up in a small Texas town and ultimately finds an opportunity for personal redemption while he is there. I enjoy indie films like this that tell a unique story, this one about people in small town USA. There are a few recognizable actors, which is always fun, and some solid performances by others who I'm not as familiar with. If you're looking for an original indie film to watch tonight, maybe one with (Texas) heart, then I'd recommend checking out Texas Heart!

The reason I love indie movies is this: A story told without the budget to make a mediocre story look better with the glitzy tricks of post-production polishing. And this is a good example. A story. Some good characters. Some moments of good acting. Moments of laughter and touching moments. Yes, in all honesty mixed with some poor acting, some caricatures and some predictability. Which are all found in a series like Dynasty. At the end of the day, who really cares. You don't read James Joyce every day. Sometimes you just want a David Baldacci. This is not a brilliant movie by any stretch, but it is watchable and enjoyable.