Torn Hearts

"Torn Hearts" is a "country music horror film," and I believe it may be one of the first of its kind. The film deals with Jordan and Leigh, the titular "Torn Hearts" country duo (played by Abby Quinn and Alexxis Lemire, respectively). The film begins with them performing at a club where their manager Richie -- who is much older and also Leigh's boyfriend -- has brought them to meet country star Caleb, who is looking for an opening act. He and Jordan hook up, after which he tells her that they won't be the opening act because his record label wants an "all male" tour. Jordan is understandably bummed, but finds something more valuable -- that Caleb knows Harper Dutch (Katey Sagal), one of the legendary "Dutchess Sisters." She gets her address and suggests to Leigh that they go visit her and try to talk her into performing with them. Well, Leigh is the world's biggest Dutchess Sisters fan, and she can't possibly pass on the chance to meet her hero. So they travel off to Harper's house where they manage to convince Harper to let them in. After a little bit, Harper seems to be open to helping them, but things do not quite go the way they had anticipated...

"Torn Hearts" is a bit of a mixed bag, but mostly positive. The acting is really good, all three of our main leads are totally convincing. There's real, original country music which is a nice touch. In addition, there several really suspenseful scenes that are pretty unnerving. The main issue is some of the plot. Some things don't make sense -- for example, after Caleb tells Jordan flat out that his record company is not hiring a female act, she just doesn't tell anybody and instead let's people get mad at her. Harper's actions don't seem totally consistent throughout, and when the final "explanation" comes it's sort of underwhelming and not really logical. And man, the screenwriter clearly has some issues with the country music industry with special vitriol reserved for attractive women in country music!

But overall, a pretty solid film that's worth checking out.

Sluggish beginning, but later redeems itself slowly and kept me interested. It was good and just the right amount. It could have gone a bit deeper on the creepy factor (there were several opportunities).

I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it much more when Katey Sagal's character appeared. The other actors played their roles authentically and true to character.

I felt the movie held up all the way until then end. I felt it was actually closer to being a true IRL thriller/horror. I think we are more accustomed to a different style - and there is something truly original and unique about this film, although, I can't quite place it.

I feel that it could have taken a next level darker, creepy, weird vs. TV safe. I feel there is definitely more to come from the creators and we will watch in awe as they further continue to excel at their craft. Well Done!

Perhaps other reviewers were expecting some teeny slasher movie, because I don't know why it has been rated so low.

The story is different and solidly written with well rounded characters brilliantly performed by all the cast.

The best thing to do is watch it and make your own mind up.

This was fun but as another reviewer remarked, mostly just watchable thanks to Katey Sagal. I think it needed to really let loose and have more fun with itself. There was a level of crazy that Katey Sagal seemed ready to unleash, but that the script and story hampered. There were a few pacing decisions I also thought were jarring, particularly in the last few minutes.

Which is not to say there wasn't plenty of pink and a warehouse of wigs hanging around.

All in all, a decent afternoon but not a classic.

Like another reviewer already stated, to watch Katey Sagal (fine performance) is the true star of Torn Hearts. Production and the rest of the cast are solid for a movie made on a not too big budget. Torn Hearts is one of those movies you watch once and then forget. The story simply does not offer anything new and on the scale of the horror-o-meter this is a rather weak entry: what you get is a psycho-thriller with a very few scenes what the mainstream may call horror. Not bad, but not really good either. Exact rate: 4 + 1 for Katey Sagal's performance only.