Customer Reviews

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

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4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
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Robert Ellis Miller's film version of "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" is decent and straightforward, but what makes it a classic is the performance of Alan Arkin as deaf-mute John Singer. Arkin's performance moved me to tears in 1968, and subsequent viewings confirm my conviction that Arkin gives here one of the greatest performances ever recorded on film. Why has Arkin's work in "Heart" been so thoroughly forgotten? When "Premiere" magazine a few years ago did an article on actors throughout screen history playing handicapped characters, it completely ignored Arkin, although his performance was Oscar-nominated. "Heart" also contains fine early performances by stars-in-the-making Stacy Keach and Cicely Tyson, as well as a performance (also Oscar-nominated) by Sondra Locke that far exceeded anything she did afterward. But it is Arkin who dominates this film, and those who see his performance will cherish it forever.

Try as he may, stranger John Singer (Alan Arkin) just can't fit in. Responding to a vacancy ad, he becomes a single-room boarder in the home of a financially challenged family. Despite his handicap, he is one of the most helpful and caring persons in this southern town he tries to call home. If others could only read hearts as well as he reads lips, his internal vacancy could be very easily filled. Nevertheless, his loneliness -- transparent to onlookers -- grows with unspoken words until it eventually becomes unbearable.

It is hard to believe that Arkin can deliver such a dramatic role without uttering a word. This is a testimony to true versatility as you compare him in WAIT UNTIL DARK. Obviously Arkin must be accompanied by a great supportive cast. And he is with Cicely Tyson delivering a powerful performance.

No, it's not the novel, which is a multi-plotted study of four characters whose lives are symmetrically developed and eventually tied together like the themes in a sonata, all of them linked by their attraction to a deaf-mute as an alternative to a profound sense of futility, despair and, above all, loneliness felt by each of the four. The ultimate irony is that the only character who affords the others a solace from their alienation is himself the most isolated and miserable character in the story, denied even an illusory companionship when his only friend dies.

The film omits much of the confused and failed political agendas of the black Southern doctor (Dr. Copeland) and the inarticulate Marx idealogist (Jake Blount) as well as the antisocial preoccupations of the novel's unlikely, voyeuristic hero, the restaurant owner, Biff Brannon. But by focusing on the struggles of the deaf-mute (Alan Arkin) and the idealistic young woman seeking to escape from oppressive social circumstances (Sondra Locke), it accomplishes more than many films. In fact, I can think of few movies that so effectively represent life in a small-minded, provincial Southern community: a form of American pastoral that is also a microcosm of life--from racial and social prejudice to economic hardship to dreams of personal freedom and achievement to the universality of the loneliness that paradoxically joins and separates the often dysfunctional family of humanity.

This is a film with a lot of heart, one moreover that's capable of gettihg under your skin and leaving a lasting impression much like McCullers' writing. Its strengths are more likely to be apparent to someone who sees the movie before reading the novel that inspired it. Most importantly, despite simplifying, sentimentalizing, and "sanitizing" the original novel considerably, this is not the kind of film present-day Hollywood would risk an investment on. It retains far too many of the themes, realistic portrayals and aesthetic elements of serious, non-escapist literary art to be seen as a viable property for a popular and commercially successful movie, or even as a candidate for a DVD transfer.

When I was very young, I saw this movie on an old projector at a school for the deaf. The lights were dim, the audience was very focused on the film because it was a rare story about deaf people and mutes. The story had many subplots and gripped our hearts and souls.... after the movie was over and the reel was clicking away, we turned up the lights.... to find that everyone had tears in their eyes, from the very young to the aged... we turned the lights back down... then slowly, after what seemed like an eternity, the lights went up and the audience began signing to each other - to their family members - to their friend..... Perhaps this also made the movie more endearing to me, but I have always believed it to be an excellent film - very poignant, and yet very often forgotten. Arkin became our hero, our lost soul, our friend.... forever and ever... When you watch this, invite friends over, or share with a friend, it is truly a memorable classic!

I'm sorry to say I did not read the book. I am familiar with the work of Carson McCullers, and her narratives are thoroughly character-driven. However, she does center her material on one character (as in "The Member of the Wedding"). In this case, it's an incredible man named John Singer, masterfully portrayed by the great Alan Arkin. Certainly, most books need to be "abbreviated" in their transfer to the screen. ("Tom Jones" comes to mind, a huge sprawling Henry Fielding novel, concisely brought to the screen). I have read ALL the previous reviews, and pitiably lament that I hadn't read Ms. McCuller's novel. Still, I feel that John Singer's integrity, loneliness and pain, not to mention his frustration, was so brilliantly conveyed by Arkin. Sondra Locke was nominated for an Oscar for this, critics comparing her to Julie Harris in "Member of the Wedding". It's an auspicious debut, but it is Cecily Tyson who deserved that nomination. Outstanding performances from Chuck McCann, Percy Rodriguez and Stacy Keach were wonderful and complete; having not read the book, I knew everything I needed to know about these characters, as a viewer. This simple film from 1968 could certainly benefit from a "re-telling" as a mini-series or HBO film. Perhaps, the lovers of the book would be sated (and maybe not). Until then, I'm happy to know that this story is captured on film, as well as Arkin's great performance. (Arkin lost the Oscar to Cliff Robertson in "Charly", another disabled character).I'm thinking Warner Brothers would do themselves proud to issue a DVD, since Arkin's still around, as well as Locke, Tyson and a few others. I'm also sorry to say that I'm not familiar with the work of director Robert Ellis Miller, but he's made a film that touched me profoundly, with every imaginable portrayal of prejudice and mistrust, all portrayed by "good, righteous" people. I admire this film very much. Please, Warner Brothers...where's the DVD? UPDATE: I'm thrilled that the DVD is coming out in January, '08. Can't wait. UPDATE: I have the DVD and it's fine, but no extras. Some interviews with Arkin or Locke would've been interesting, since it's an important film in their list of career achievements. I still haven't read the book, but the elements of that book that are here create a fine film by itself. I forgot how good Laurinda Barrett was as the mother, as was the boy who played Mick's brother. He was a real natural.

I saw this film in an "art" theater thirty-eight years ago when I was 15. I have never forgotten it. I fell in love with the character John Singer and the actor who played him, Alan Arkin. He was one of my favorites from that day forward. His loneliness and compassion came through though no words were spoken from his mouth. It was in his eyes. The movie moved me in a way that I can still feel to this day. It was my awakening to the sad fact that humans do not always take the time to really see into the heart of another. I'm hoping it comes out on DVD soon.

This 1968 film is based on the book by Carson McCullers. The basic story is still there, which is that of a deaf mute who helps people but somehow cannot help himself. But a lot is missing. Alan Arkin, then 34 years old, plays the deaf mute and does a masterful job. Sondra Locke plays a teenage girl whose family rents a room to Arkin, Stacy Keach plays a drunk. And Cecily Tyson plays the angry grown daughter of the Afro-American physician played by Percy Rodriguez. All are excellent in their roles.

The film is about loneliness in all its forms and is sometimes too sentimental and slow. I understand that the story lines had to be changed in order to fit it all into a screenplay, but the result is an over-simplification of the complex novel. Without the richness of language and depth of characterization of the book, the film is a mere shadow of what I would have liked it to be. But the acting is so good and the theme of prejudice of various kinds against each of the flawed characters is done so well, even winning couple of Academy Award nominations, that it certainly has some things going for it. I might have liked it more if I had not just read the book, which seems as fresh today as when it was written. The screenwriter made a noble attempt, but he's just not Carson McCullers.

I have wondered why this touching and very compelling film adaptation of Carson McCullers' The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter has not yet appeared in DVD. I believe that issuing it in DVD would give new life to this moving story of friendship and family relationships. Even though it was made in the late 60s, it has a universality that reaches into the present and has a strong message for us.

How wonderful this will finally become available on DVD! I loved this movie, Alan Arkin's wonderful performance as Alan Singer, the deaf man who changes everyone's life in a small town. Lovely Sondra Locke in her debut film performance is unforgetable, one that garnered this undervalued actress an Academy Award nomination. I understand those who admire Carson McCuller's novel and feel the film oversimplifies the story. That may be true, but I feel this film can be appreciated on its own.

Without giving too much away, I just want to say that this is a great moving for anyone out there who appreciates Literature. This is the kind of movie they show you in high school English class. It is an excellent example of Literature brought to the big screen. As a movie, it's a bit more accessible than as a book. If you saw this movie as a kid, you may have found it boring, and a bit slow, because it's a story about some very real characters, without a lot of action. But it's extremely well acted, by a very talented cast. There are a few other movies that are in the same genre as this one - stories with genuine characters and very good actors.

Some others: "Journey to Bountiful" with Geraldine Page, "Fried Green Tomatoes" "Walkabout" (not American) etc. These are not quite Art Films, but they are not quite mainstream Hollywood either. They are movies with substance. This is one of the best.

Andrew Rein