Every so often, I see a movie that seems to have been a real enjoyable undertaking for the actors. Such is the case with "Dear Heart," especially for Geraldine Page, but also for Glenn Ford and the rest of the cast. Page plays Evie Jackson, a postmaster (was it postmistress back then?) from a small town attending an annual convention. This time it's in the Big Apple. She's not married, in her mid- to late-30s, and clearly looking for a husband. "Hoping" for a mate may be a more accurate description.
I read a couple of reviewers who saw loneliness in the main characters – Evie, Harry Mork and Phyllis. Ford plays Mork and Angela Lansbury plays Phyllis. I can see that. But in Evie's case, we also have a person who may have some problems with self- confidence and self-esteem. Why else would she have herself paged so frequently in the movie? She also sent phone messages to herself at her hotel, and sent flowers to herself. Her gregarious persona and overt friendliness with everyone is a nice touch and admirable quality in any person. But, that may mask the character's insecurity that needs to have recognition by her frequent paging, messages, etc. Clearly, Page brought much of this to the character, and she does a tremendous job. I can understand how her manner could become irritating after a while to some people. I would love to have heard an interview with the actress to understand how she interpreted the role. In any event, she clearly seems to be having a great deal of fun in the making of the film.
Glenn Ford's character, on the other hand, seems preoccupied at times. He's hankering to settle down himself, and met a widow (a "tomato in Altoona") whom he proposed to on the spur of the moment. So, how clear his thinking about settling down is suspect. Especially when he then tries to take out a "tomato" working at a hotel sales counter.
Other characters in the film add a little color. And, the film gives a picture of a convention with many middle-aged and older men who enjoy their time away from home with some heavy drinking and wandering eyes. I can't see the perfect romance that some reviewers apparently see in this film. It's a light romantic comedy at best, and that's OK. It's somewhat fun, and a very good acting job by Page. But it's nothing special.
I read a couple of reviewers who saw loneliness in the main characters – Evie, Harry Mork and Phyllis. Ford plays Mork and Angela Lansbury plays Phyllis. I can see that. But in Evie's case, we also have a person who may have some problems with self- confidence and self-esteem. Why else would she have herself paged so frequently in the movie? She also sent phone messages to herself at her hotel, and sent flowers to herself. Her gregarious persona and overt friendliness with everyone is a nice touch and admirable quality in any person. But, that may mask the character's insecurity that needs to have recognition by her frequent paging, messages, etc. Clearly, Page brought much of this to the character, and she does a tremendous job. I can understand how her manner could become irritating after a while to some people. I would love to have heard an interview with the actress to understand how she interpreted the role. In any event, she clearly seems to be having a great deal of fun in the making of the film.
Glenn Ford's character, on the other hand, seems preoccupied at times. He's hankering to settle down himself, and met a widow (a "tomato in Altoona") whom he proposed to on the spur of the moment. So, how clear his thinking about settling down is suspect. Especially when he then tries to take out a "tomato" working at a hotel sales counter.
Other characters in the film add a little color. And, the film gives a picture of a convention with many middle-aged and older men who enjoy their time away from home with some heavy drinking and wandering eyes. I can't see the perfect romance that some reviewers apparently see in this film. It's a light romantic comedy at best, and that's OK. It's somewhat fun, and a very good acting job by Page. But it's nothing special.