Some reviewer here said that Paul Cox wasn't a good storyteller, I'm not sure how he decided that, but Cox is a wonderful storyteller. Perhaps this person disliked the movie because it didn't have enough explosions or buxom women in bikinis.
Lonely Hearts is a movie about a middle-aged man, Peter, and a woman named Patricia in her twenties who is shy, a bit naive and unsophisticated in the ways of love. They both visit a dating agency, which introduces them to one another. Patricia is a lovely woman, played by the enchanting Wendy Hughes. Patricia's father is a stern man who treats his daughter as if she is still 12-years-old. Her mother hovers and frets over Patricia, while her father attempts to control her life. Peter's mother has just passed away and he lives now alone in the house he has inherited from her, he is played by the always competent Norman Kaye. Peter has never been married and lives a quiet life as a piano tuner. His sister is a nice person, though a bit domineering and talkative, ruling her somewhat dim husband, Bruce.
Patricia visits a therapist, where we discover that she is sexually inexperienced. When she and Peter are watching ducks on a pond, two of them begin to mate and Patricia interprets it as one duck bullying the other - she has no idea they are mating. Peter smiles knowingly, but says nothing. He is always kind and gentle towards Patricia, which is exactly what she needs. Their age difference works well for them, because Patricia needs an older man's patience, confidence and maturity. When Peter is asked to act in community theater play, he brings Patricia and the director asks her to act as well. This helps bring her out of her shell somewhat and gives them both something exciting to do together.
After they've been dating for a while, she is at Peter's home and they are drinking wine. Patricia teasingly asks if Peter is trying to get her drunk, and states that she will not be able to drive home if she is drunk. Peter replies that he will not be able to drive her if he is drunk. They then both agree to drink more and Peter then says he does not want her to go home. Patricia asks if she can trust him. Patricia then suggests that they go to bed together, but "don't do anything", to which Peter agrees.
Once in bed together they begin kissing and it appears Patricia is willing to go further. However, when Peter attempts to make love with her, Patricia panics, frightened and confused by what is happening. She begins crying, leaving abruptly and cuts off all contact with him. Patricia views Peter's actions as a betrayal, despite her therapist's suggestion that it may have simply been a miscommunication. Her fear of sex is powerful and she seems to view any sexual contact (other than hugging and kissing) as a betrayal. Patricia stands firm and refuses all contact with Peter. He tries to communicate with her at a play rehearsal, professing his love for her. Patricia rejects him saying she doesn't believe he loves her and leaves the rehearsal.
Distraught, Peter shoplifts a small amount of cheese and sliced ham, but is caught and taken to the police station, where he gives false information using Patricia's address. The police demand to take him home where a confused Patricia asks him what is going on, using his real name. The police realize he has given them false information and take him back to the station. Patricia interprets his actions as a response to her rejecting him and feels guilty, phones Peter's sister. Patricia's parents visit, hovering and dominating her life. The director shows up, asking Patricia to visit Peter who is depressed and despondent. Her father confronts the director, telling him that he doesn't want Patricia in any play, the director dismisses him glibly and Patricia leaves with him to go to Peter, finally asserting her independence.
The director drops Patricia off and she peers in the window at Peter softly playing the piano. Here Wendy Hughes does her best acting work, communicating volumes with her facial expressions, illustrating clearly that Patricia is in love with Peter. She knocks on the window and Peter is surprised and happy to see her. During a very moving, silent exchange through the window where Patricia sees Peter with his toupee off, Patricia mouths the words "I love you" and asks to come inside. Once in the apartment they reunite, with Patricia again proclaiming her love. When she asks if he "has any of that wine left" (referencing the last time they attempted to be together) it is clear now that she is ready and willing to be intimate with Peter.
This is not a film about the beautiful people, although Wendy Hughes is beautiful (despite the filmmaker's attempts to make her look plain). This is a film for those people on the fringes of human interaction — those people who lack the confidence or social skills required to allow them to function successfully in the arena of human interaction. It is a beautiful love story about imperfect human beings who find strength, purpose and meaning together. It operates at a wonderfully languid pace, finding humor in their clumsy, but moving attempts to escape their lonely lives. Paul Cox is a fantastic director who understands the human condition and is able to allow a story to unfold naturally before the lens, without any attempts at ridiculous characters or absurd situations. He finds meaning and humor in the quiet, realistic events that surely happen everyday throughout our world. This is a film for those people who feel just a bit out-of-place in this life. An encouraging message that love can find any one of us if we're only willing to put ourselves out there, just a little bit.
8 out of 9 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink