Torn Hearts

"Torn Hearts" is a "country music horror film," and I believe it may be one of the first of its kind. The film deals with Jordan and Leigh, the titular "Torn Hearts" country duo (played by Abby Quinn and Alexxis Lemire, respectively). The film begins with them performing at a club where their manager Richie -- who is much older and also Leigh's boyfriend -- has brought them to meet country star Caleb, who is looking for an opening act. He and Jordan hook up, after which he tells her that they won't be the opening act because his record label wants an "all male" tour. Jordan is understandably bummed, but finds something more valuable -- that Caleb knows Harper Dutch (Katey Sagal), one of the legendary "Dutchess Sisters." She gets her address and suggests to Leigh that they go visit her and try to talk her into performing with them. Well, Leigh is the world's biggest Dutchess Sisters fan, and she can't possibly pass on the chance to meet her hero. So they travel off to Harper's house where they manage to convince Harper to let them in. After a little bit, Harper seems to be open to helping them, but things do not quite go the way they had anticipated...

"Torn Hearts" is a bit of a mixed bag, but mostly positive. The acting is really good, all three of our main leads are totally convincing. There's real, original country music which is a nice touch. In addition, there several really suspenseful scenes that are pretty unnerving. The main issue is some of the plot. Some things don't make sense -- for example, after Caleb tells Jordan flat out that his record company is not hiring a female act, she just doesn't tell anybody and instead let's people get mad at her. Harper's actions don't seem totally consistent throughout, and when the final "explanation" comes it's sort of underwhelming and not really logical. And man, the screenwriter clearly has some issues with the country music industry with special vitriol reserved for attractive women in country music!

But overall, a pretty solid film that's worth checking out.

This was fun but as another reviewer remarked, mostly just watchable thanks to Katey Sagal. I think it needed to really let loose and have more fun with itself. There was a level of crazy that Katey Sagal seemed ready to unleash, but that the script and story hampered. There were a few pacing decisions I also thought were jarring, particularly in the last few minutes.

Which is not to say there wasn't plenty of pink and a warehouse of wigs hanging around.

All in all, a decent afternoon but not a classic.

Had a lot of potential to hit an indie flash cult classic status based on the synopsis, but hit a MASSIVE flat note.

Katey is believable, and by far the best thing about this film- but she even delivers a restrained performance in a crisp white cami. Why wasn't the direction pushing her past first base with such a whacked out character to play?!

The women playing the two performers are unfortunately forgettable, and seem to also suffer from the strange editing choices and bizarre camera set ups (and lack there of).

Pacing problems, thin character development and overall-repetitive. Missing the sizzle you'd expect from a Dolly Parton, Baby Jane, Grey Gardens mixed tape.

So a country music movie involving women, written by women, directed by women. Basically the plot boils down to Greed. Everyone is greedy. Which basically sums up the music business no matter what style.

Sagal is great as she usually is if she has the material to work with. The other two actresses were fine also. IT's a simple story, predictable, somewhat fun and also somewhat boring. Which really makes it pretty average.

Can only give it 5/10.

And IMDB has now made it so a review has to have 600 characters before it can be entered. I really don't expect that to last very long because people are sure to complain about it. But until that happens I guess we have to expect reviews to be long winded and sometimes about absolutely nothing to do with the show in question.

Perhaps other reviewers were expecting some teeny slasher movie, because I don't know why it has been rated so low.

The story is different and solidly written with well rounded characters brilliantly performed by all the cast.

The best thing to do is watch it and make your own mind up.