A Hazard of Hearts

The strength of this film is the performance of Helena Bonham-Carter in an early role. The plot comes straight from a romance novel, and thus is only for those who enjoy tales of young women in desperate situations that they overcome through spunk and the unexpected love of a mysterious nobleman, but it's a fun and charming way to pass a couple of hours.

Years ago a friend introduced me to "A Hazard of Hearts" and I've been hooked ever since. Not only for Marcus Gilbert's beauty, though that doesn't hurt, but because it brings to life an era which seems more fantasy than the reality it once was. Never pass up the privilege of enjoying it's romance and mystique. If ever I'm fortunate enough to discover it again, I will be most pleased.

Helena Bonham-Carter is such a divinely eloquent actress, she shines above such veterans as Christopher Plummer, Diana Rigg, Edward Fox and Stewart Granger (the latter so very underused).

Plummer, Rigg and Fox are so horrifically over-the-top, you can only assume that the director was too intimidated by their previous credits to repress their cartoonish gleeful overacting.

Cartland works with a formula that makes this a very standard gothic romance, but it's saved, in parts, by the charm of the two leads, the extraordinary Bonham-Carter and the still little-seen Marcus Gilbert.

This also might not seem so infinitely cheesy if the predictable, derivative soundtrack didn't soar in so obviously.

Still, the film is a must for Bonham-Carter fans, if only to confirm what an excellent, expressive talent she is. And, as previous commentators have noted, this is ideal rainy Sunday afternoon fare.

Compulsive gambler Sir Giles(Christopher Plummer) has lost his money an estate playing against Lord Wrotham(Edward Fox) . He realises which he only has one thing , his gorgeous daughter Serena(Helena Bonham Carter). Giles stakes his daughter's hand in marriage to villain Lord. Sir Giles lost and he commits suicide himself. Then Lord Justin Vulcan(Marcus Gilbert) is witnessed the deeds and stakes Lord Wrotham to play dices. Justin wins and he now finding himself as owner of the Gilles's mansion and Serena.Lord Justin installs her as a guest at Mandrake palace with maid included(Anna Massey). Trouble is, he can not marry her, until she solves the secret issues contains the mansion.Unfortunately, she becomes a strange into the house and the ambitious Justin's mother , Lady Harriet Vulcan( a despicable Diana Rigg) has less than honorable intentions over Serena.

This is a romance-drama plenty of suspense, intrigue, dark secrets,passion and plot-twists. It's an amusing movie and regency romance fans will appreciate the attention to period detail. Based on the romance novel with similar title by Barbara Catland. In fact belongs to quatrain movies directed by John Hough, with similar scenarios and style; same producer(Albert Fennell, Sir Lew Grade), musician(Laurie Johnson) and author(Barbara Catland), these are : 'A ghost of Montecarlo'(Lysette Anthony,Sarah Miles, Marcus Gilbert), 'The lady and the highway man'(Hugh Grant, Lysette Anthony) and 'Duel of Hearts'(Alison Doody, Michael York).

The motion picture is professionally directed by John Hough. He has an eclectic and long filmmaker career , starting in TV movies(The protectors, Avengers), directing Hammer movies(Twins of evil), mediocre horror films(Howling IV, American Gothic), adventures(Island of treasure) and wholesome Disney family fare(Return and escape to witch mountain).Rating : Acceptable and passable, this television movie will like to romantic stories fans.

I have seen this movie more times than any other. My mother taped it off television and my sisters and I would watch it every day after school. I recently watched it again after not having seen it for several years, and despite my expectations of disappointment, I loved it just as much as ever. The old commercials are a kick too (pre-bunny Energizer commercials - TOO RIGHT THE EXTRAORDINARY ENERGIZER IT'LL SURPRISE YA!)

If you think, as I do, that Helena Bonham-Carter is one of the most charming faces and voices around, you will enjoy this young vision of her. And her eyebrows are more active here than anywhere else.