Hungry Hearts Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A couple meets in a bathroom, has a baby, and then things get *really* weird when the mom decides sunshine and meat are the enemy, leading to a family intervention involving deer hunting.

🍿 Hungry Hearts: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Unconventional Meeting

Jude, an American, and Mina, an Italian, have a peculiar meet-cute when they both find themselves trapped in a small, smelly bathroom of a Chinese restaurant in New York City. Despite the unglamorous circumstances, they connect and quickly begin a relationship. This scene sets the stage for the film’s exploration of intimacy and vulnerability in unexpected places.

Parenthood and Differing Ideologies

The couple’s relationship deepens quickly, leading to marriage and pregnancy. However, their differing ideologies regarding childbirth and child-rearing become a major point of contention. Mina embraces naturalistic and somewhat extreme approaches, influenced by new-age beliefs and a desire to shield her child from perceived impurities.

Growing Concerns and a Fight for Control

As the baby’s health deteriorates due to Mina’s restrictive diet and aversion to conventional medicine, Jude becomes increasingly alarmed. He finds himself caught between honoring Mina’s wishes and ensuring the well-being of their child. The conflict escalates as Jude begins to secretly supplement the baby’s diet and seek medical advice, leading to a battle for control over the child’s upbringing.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jude (Adam Driver): A loving husband and father who becomes increasingly concerned about his child’s well-being due to his wife’s extreme beliefs.
• Mina (Alba Rohrwacher): A new mother whose extreme beliefs and obsessions about purity put her child’s health at risk.
• Anne (Roberta Maxwell): Jude’s mother who is deeply concerned about her grandson’s health and safety.
• Dr. Bill (Jake Weber): The doctor who identifies the baby’s health issues.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mina: “What will we do with a child?” – Mina expresses her initial apprehension about the prospect of having a child.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $6,921
• Worldwide Gross: $549,823

💥 Hungry Hearts Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Hungry Hearts’ is a trip! I went in expecting something totally different, and boy, was I surprised. Adam Driver is amazing, as always, but it’s Alba Rohrwacher who really steals the show. The way the movie messes with your head, making you question everyone’s motives, is just brilliant. There’s this scene in the apartment, with the weird camera angles and the baby looking so fragile, that just stuck with me. It’s not a feel-good movie, that’s for sure, but it’s one you won’t forget anytime soon.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in films exploring the complexities of parenthood”
  • “Those who appreciate independent films with strong performances”
  • “Adam Driver fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Child endangerment”
  • “Mental illness”
  • “Marital conflict”
  • “Violence”
  • “Infant Malnutrition”
  • “Disturbing Imagery”

Professional Reviews

• MovieWeb: “A tense and unnerving indie movie that opens with a funny and mortifying meet-cute, then gets progressively darker as the couple turns into an unnerving pair. The tight shots and close-ups enhance the intimacy and illustrate the characters’ state of minds.
• Rollingstone.com: “Despite valiant efforts by the two leads, the script and direction are so far fetched and over the top that no amount of good acting could save this piece of schlock. Weird camera angles, an absurd wedding montage, a house filled with deer heads…the list could go on for pages.
• N/A: “What makes this one great is the fact that it starts on such a lovely sequence that made me have a big goofy grin on my face, making the build up and experience of the tragic anxiety that creeps into their lives more believable and unsettling.

Audience Reactions

The performances of Adam Driver and Alba Rohrwacher were captivating.: Viewers were gripped by the unsettling atmosphere and the exploration of mental health issues.

The film’s raw intimacy and psychological depth resonated with many.: Many felt the performances and intense storyline created a realistic and thought-provoking viewing experience.

Overall Consensus: A divisive psychological drama with strong performances, praised for its unsettling atmosphere and exploration of mental health, but criticized for its pacing and polarizing ending.

Awards

1. Venice Film Festival (Volpi Cup for Best Actor)- 2014
2. Venice Film Festival (Volpi Cup for Best Actress)- 2014

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Hungry Hearts is based on the novel ‘Il Bambino Indaco’ (The Indigo Child) by Marco Franzoso.”
• “The director, Saverio Costanzo, transposed the story to New York City because he felt it belonged there, despite the original book being set in Italy.”
• “Adam Driver and Alba Rohrwacher both won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor and Best Actress respectively at the Venice Film Festival for their performances in this film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Hungry Hearts?

As an independent film, ‘Hungry Hearts’ availability may vary. Check streaming services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu for rental or purchase options. Availability on subscription-based platforms like Netflix or Hulu is subject to change. Consider checking your local library or purchasing a physical copy for reliable access.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Hungry Hearts, you might like these similar films:

• Rosemary’s Baby (1968): Shares themes of paranoia, maternal anxiety, and external forces influencing pregnancy.
• We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011): Explores the complexities and anxieties of motherhood and a strained parent-child relationship, venturing into darker psychological territory.

🛒 Hungry Hearts Related Products

• Hungry Hearts [Blu-ray]: Own the critically acclaimed film on Blu-ray, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and director’s commentary. A must-have for fans of Adam Driver and psychological thrillers.
• Adam Driver Movie Poster Collection: A set of high-quality prints featuring Adam Driver, including ‘Hungry Hearts’. Perfect for decorating your home theater or office with iconic movie moments.
• Vegan Cookbook: Expand your cooking horizons with a vegan cookbook! With a wide variety of delicious meatless meals there is something for everyone!
• Mindfulness Meditation: Find mindfulness and stay present and practice self-care!

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Tu si’ ‘na cosa grande” – performed by Adam Driver
• “Flashdance” – performed by Irene Cara

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Baby Feeding | Adam Driver as Jude, Hungry Hearts, 2014

Ever wondered how Adam Driver handles a baby? Check out this intense scene from ‘Hungry Hearts’! It’s only a minute long, but you’ll be on the edge of your seat.

Adam Driver while preparing for his next musical piece “Tu si’ ‘na cosa grande pe’ mme”

Did you know Adam Driver’s character in ‘Hungry Hearts’ sings? Here’s a sneak peek at him prepping for a musical moment! It’s short and sweet, showcasing a softer side.

✨ Rate