The Good Heart Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grumpy bartender tries to teach a homeless guy how to be mean so he can inherit his bar, but a French woman ruins everything, leading to a heart transplant and questionable life choices on a tropical beach.

🍿 The Good Heart: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Gruff Bartender and a Homeless Man

Lucas, a young homeless man in New York City, attempts suicide and ends up in the hospital. There he meets Jacques, the cantankerous owner of a failing bar, recovering from yet another heart attack. Jacques, seeking a successor to his unique establishment, sees potential in Lucas, despite his gentle nature.

Learning the Ropes (and the Rules)

Jacques takes Lucas under his wing, teaching him the strict rules of the bar: no walk-ins, no women, and a generally unfriendly demeanor. Lucas, however, struggles to suppress his innate kindness, often offering help and conversation to the bar’s quirky regulars. This creates tension between the two men as Jacques tries to harden Lucas into his own image.

The Arrival of April

The dynamic shifts further when April, a young French woman afraid to fly, enters the bar. Lucas, unable to leave her out in the cold, takes her in, defying Jacques’ strict rules. This act of compassion creates a rift between Jacques and Lucas, forcing Lucas to choose between his mentor’s expectations and his own good heart.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lucas (Paul Dano): A kind-hearted, homeless young man taken in by a bar owner after a suicide attempt.
• Jacques (Brian Cox): A gruff, ailing bar owner who takes Lucas under his wing to teach him the trade.
• April (Stephanie Szostak): A French woman and former flight attendant who enters the bar and develops a relationship with Lucas.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lucas: “Never remove an empty glass. It is the customer’s history, a track record of his state of mind, an important documentation which should not be fixed nor falsified.” – Lucas explains his philosophy on bartending, emphasizing observation and respect for the customer’s experience.
• Jacques: “Life’s too short for lousy cars.” – Said while watching his old station wagon being crushed at the junkyard.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,800,000
• Domestic Gross: $20,930
• Worldwide Gross: $346,851

💥 The Good Heart Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed ‘The Good Heart’! Paul Dano’s portrayal of Lucas was so earnest and touching. The dynamic between him and Brian Cox was captivating. I was completely drawn into their strange mentorship. Some scenes, like when Lucas tries to be tough at the bar, were hilarious. The ending was unexpected and made me think about the complexities of life and second chances. Definitely a film I’ll remember.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of independent films”
  • “Viewers who appreciate character-driven stories”
  • “Those interested in themes of mentorship, redemption, and the meaning of kindness”
  • “Admirers of Brian Cox and Paul Dano’s acting”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Depiction of a suicide attempt”
  • “Adult themes”
  • “Brief disturbing image”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Brian Cox & Paul Dano elevate a simple story with their remarkable on-screen chemistry. The film’s script has everything: excellent plot, really fantastic dialogs, interesting characters, unexpected turns and a surprise ending… a great story and its well told.
• IMDB: “This film is about Brian Cox… Director Dagur Kari provides a stage. Paul Dano is great being a looking-glass. But Brian Cox’s Jacques is monumental, he literally carries the action from the first second he steps in. He energizes the viewer, no matter how one classifies his moral actions.
• IMDB: “Dagur Kari’s film The good heart was a good way to start a film festival in my eyes. I just got back from the screening, and although this film i heavily dramatic, i have to say the audience was laughing quite a bit, as was I. Its not a comedy though, just a film that some great comedic reliefs, and does a great job portraying a story of human interaction.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between Brian Cox and Paul Dano made the film incredibly engaging.: Viewers praised the strong performances of the lead actors and the film’s quirky, character-driven narrative.

The bittersweet ending left a lasting impression on many viewers.: Many audience members found the film thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, appreciating its exploration of human connection.

Overall Consensus: A character-driven drama with strong performances from Brian Cox and Paul Dano, offering a quirky and bittersweet exploration of human connection.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Tom Waits and Ryan Gosling were originally considered for the lead roles.”
• “The film spent five years in production, with exterior shots in New York and interior shots filmed in Iceland.”
• “The grainy film stock, washed-out colors, and natural lighting were intentionally used to give the film an honest, raw look.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Good Heart?

As of now, “The Good Heart” is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check these services for availability in your region, as offerings may vary. Unfortunately, it’s not currently available on major subscription-based streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Good Heart, you might like these similar films:

• L.I.E. (2001): Also starring Paul Dano and Brian Cox, this indie film explores complex relationships and coming-of-age themes.
• The Wrestler (2008): Features a character study of a broken individual seeking redemption and connection in a harsh world, mirroring the themes of loneliness and purpose found in ‘The Good Heart’.
• Barfly (1987): Explores the life of an alcoholic writer and his interactions within the bar scene, similar to ‘The Good Heart’s’ focus on bar culture and flawed characters.
• Manchester by the Sea (2016): A modern drama focusing on grief, isolation, and the struggle to connect with others, echoing the somber tone and character-driven narrative of ‘The Good Heart’.

🛒 The Good Heart Related Products

• The Good Heart [DVD]: Own the captivating film on DVD and experience the story of Jacques and Lucas whenever you want. Includes special features and behind-the-scenes content.
• Brian Cox: Putting the Rabbit in the Hat: Brian Cox’s autobiography -Putting the Rabbit in the Hat: A Memoir, reveals the life of Brian Cox. In this new memoir, Cox shares the story of his life with his trademark humor and candor. The Good Heart star shares stories from his difficult childhood in Scotland to his career on the stage and screen.
• New York City Street Photography Book: New York City is arguably the most photographed city on the planet and has been a magnet for photographers for more than a century. The city has undergone numerous transformations in its history and will continue to change with the inexorable march of time, which is part of its enduring appeal.
• The House of Oysters Retro Bar Sign: Own a piece of the House of Oysters and decorate your bar!

🎧 Soundtrack

The Good Heart features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Lullaby for Kitten” – performed by Paul Dano

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Smart autistic guy with a good heart😏😇 #movie #series

Want to see a feel-good moment from the show? This short clip perfectly captures the heart of the series, and honestly, it’s impossible not to smile watching it. I think you’ll love it!

This man has a good heart #film #movie

Ever wonder why everyone loves this film? Check out this emotional clip, and you’ll get a strong feel for the film’s message. See if you agree!

The little girl’s experience broke everyone’s heart!#movie #movieclips #story

This scene is seriously heartbreaking! It explores a tough but important storyline, I dare you to watch it and not feel something. Let me know what you think!

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