Everyday stories about everyday people, with actors who can portray them well, don't usually make for box office hits. The vast majority of us fall somewhere in that group. And, quite frankly, we're just not entertained by looking at pictures of ourselves going through the routine humdrum of life. So, its understandable that Hollywood wouldn't make such films, as a rule. The film-makers learned early in the days after sound came to motion pictures that people needed to be entertained. And considering the time – at the start of a worldwide depression, a dust bowl in the U.S. and looming global war, the people needed to have their spirits lifted. So, what we needed was comedy, and romance, and music, and mystery, and action, and adventure to lift us out of the doldrums and keep us in high spirits.
And, that's what we got for the most part. And, even when times are good, what we can expect most often. But once in a while, an "everyday" type of film will come along that's very good and that many people will enjoy. Usually, such films have to reach beyond the routine of drama. They do this most often with comedy or some lighter treatment of matters. Or, they may have some mystery, intrigue or tragedy – anything that will break out of the everyday.
That's what we have in "Lonely Hearts." A story about two lonely people who have only two things in common. They both are shy, and they want to meet and befriend a person of the opposite sex. Some people think of these characters as coming from dysfunctional families. But I have known such people as these. I've known people – men and women, who have sacrificed their personal lives to care for ill and aging parents, other family members, or friends. I have known shy people who are unconformable in company and who prefer to be alone much of the time. I doubt that shyness has ever been considered dysfunctional. It's just the way some people are wired. In time, many people adapt, change or open up to other people.
This is a fine story of two very shy people who are able finally to take a chance at meeting someone. It has the usual ups and downs, with some humor, warmth, suspicion, fear, and yes – lingering shyness. Far from being mundane, the film takes us along as the leads interact and take steps to change their lives. And in the end, we share in their happiness as they come out of their shells to begin a new chapter in their lives together.
