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The Heart Specialist

Original title: Ways of the Flesh
  • 2006
  • R
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
4.3/10
642
YOUR RATING
The Heart Specialist (2006)
ComedyDrama

Dr. Z(achary) is also a comedian. He gets his inspiration from staff and patients at the hospital. He and Donna befriend and affect his womanizing intern, Ray.Dr. Z(achary) is also a comedian. He gets his inspiration from staff and patients at the hospital. He and Donna befriend and affect his womanizing intern, Ray.Dr. Z(achary) is also a comedian. He gets his inspiration from staff and patients at the hospital. He and Donna befriend and affect his womanizing intern, Ray.

  • Director
    • Dennis Cooper
  • Writer
    • Dennis Cooper
  • Stars
    • Wood Harris
    • Zoe Saldaña
    • Thomas Miles
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.3/10
    642
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Dennis Cooper
    • Writer
      • Dennis Cooper
    • Stars
      • Wood Harris
      • Zoe Saldaña
      • Thomas Miles
    • 13User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos7

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    Top cast57

    Edit
    Wood Harris
    Wood Harris
    • Dr. Sidney Zachary
    Zoe Saldaña
    Zoe Saldaña
    • Donna
    • (as Zoe Saldana)
    Thomas Miles
    • Curtis Underwood
    • (as Thomas 'Nephew Tommy' Miles)
    Brian White
    Brian White
    • Dr. Ray Howard
    Mya
    Mya
    • Valerie
    Scott Paulin
    Scott Paulin
    • Dr. Graves
    James Chacko
    • Parking Lot Guard
    David S. Lee
    David S. Lee
    • Dr. Propper
    Kenneth Choi
    Kenneth Choi
    • Mitchell Kwan
    Fiona Hale
    • Dead Man's Sister
    Irene Tsu
    Irene Tsu
    • Mrs. Olson
    Richard Voigts
    • Dr. Manson
    Tony Perez
    Tony Perez
    • Dr. Gutierrez
    Brittany Ishibashi
    Brittany Ishibashi
    • Translator
    Brittany Marie Batchelder
    Brittany Marie Batchelder
    • Adrienne
    Kristi Kirk
    Kristi Kirk
    • Nuclear Med Tech
    Amrapali Ambegaokar
    Amrapali Ambegaokar
    • Pakistani Intern
    Jasmine Guy
    Jasmine Guy
    • Aunt Burnetta
    • Director
      • Dennis Cooper
    • Writer
      • Dennis Cooper
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews13

    4.3642
    1
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    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    ComPub

    Excellent! I Totally Agree.

    Tangie85 wrote: "I had to give this film a 10 simply because it did what so many films thrown at black audiences have FAILED MISERABLY to do. This film was void of all the video whore clichés, and it also skipped the gangsters, rappers, and foul language. It examined several relationships among physicians, African Americans, and African American male/female romantic relationships on a completely new and refreshing level." This is simply an EXCELLENT MOVIE, and as I watched it (before reading the above review), I was continually amazed at the intelligence manifested, without the ubiquitous African American stereotypes. Truly "a completely new and refreshing level" -- and first released 5 years ago in 2006! The director/writer (Dennis Cooper) & everyone involved deserves kudos. Thank you all for such a great movie. Special kudos to Zoe Saldana in 2006; we can see why you started getting top billings in blockbusters! So many movies are truly "blaxsploitation" movies, but as the other reviewer said, this is just a WHOLE NEW LEVEL. We were able to look at the real motives of the movie-maker, without being dragged and diverted into well-overdone stereotypes. My wife and I are now renting it for the second time! Again, thank you to all involved for this EXCELLENT PRODUCTION! A WONDERFUL film! By the way, I think Hollywood needs to take a fresh look at Mr. Cooper. Good viewing!
    10agmail-oc

    See the Movie !

    Great film... just saw this a week ago and enjoyed the whole experience. Good characters, clever plot line and fun to watch. I am not sure I understand the 3.5 star rating, I thought it was much better than that.

    I thought it intriguing it was targeted at black audiences. I think it works well on its own and speaks to relevant relationships between men and women as well as physicians in a tough setting.

    One other thought, this would make a great series and I hope the producers think about that... whether TV or sequels. I liked the characters, I liked the topics and would hope to see them develop over time.If there is a DVD, I will get it.
    9kathrynevans

    Cool, fun, reality.

    I worked in a hospital for several years and commend this film in its ability to realistically portray the life of an intern and resident at such an institution. I was also impressed with how well the characters were portrayed by the talented actors in the film. Zoe Saldana made her character so interesting and likable, that I could easily see her as someone cool to hang out with.

    Wood Harris and Brian White have great chemistry on the screen. Kenny Choi's character goes through an amazing progression. Mya surprises us all with an amazing performance and Scot Paulin along with David Lee play characters that you love to hate.

    It was good to see a film that promoted the concept of African Americans in professional positions - without the stereotypical implications of gangs and violence. The story was touching and inspirational for anyone in any circumstances to feel good about what they do and to believe in themselves.

    Hopefully, as this country and the world becomes more diverse, this film will not be disregarded and more films like this will gain exposure in all audiences across the board. I think it is very important that this film gets the recognition that it deserves.
    10tangie85

    This is an EXCELLENT film about two African American doctors.

    I had to give this film a 10 simply because it did what so many films thrown at black audiences have FAILED MISERABLY to do. This film was void of all the video whore clichés, and it also skipped the gangsters, rappers, and foul language. It examined several relationships among physicians, African Americans, and African American male/female romantic relationships on a completely new and refreshing level. I was highly impressed with the films careful mix of light headed humor with some pretty tough and heavy issues. The film will leave you feeling happy and sad all at the same time. I saw it at the Boston Film Festival as well. It premiered at AMC Loews Boston and I truly hope this film makes it to much larger audiences. Black People (and EVERYONE else) would LOVE a movie like this- if only the industry was SMART enough to put them out there!

    As an extra- if your a doctor, a resident, a medical student, a premedical student, married to a doctor, have a doctor sibling, have a doctor in the family, or know a great doctor period- they would love this film as well. It portrayed residency and the practice in a true-to-life way that was greatly appreciated by the doctors, residents, and medical students who viewed the film. Dennis Cooper completely his residency in internal medicine- so he definitely applied his knowledge/experience to the film and that is greatly apparent.
    9florencelw2000

    Entertaining & fun movie

    I saw the movie & I have to say that I enjoyed it tremendously. It was light & entertaining but it has a solid story line where anybody including myself can follow & relate to the story line. It portrays the daily things that could happen in life - happy/positive or sad/negative. Not only I was entertained by this movie, I also felt that I learned a thing or two about how people grow through life experiences. Each character plays a very distinct & interesting role. They are all fit into a great story & it has a great mix of characters. Love it! Love it! Love it! I definitely recommend this movie. I hope it will do well at the theaters. I definitely would like to see more of this kind of movie.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Nikea Gamby-Turner's debut.
    • Soundtracks
      Once Upon a Life
      Performed by Mona Lisa

      Written by Dennis Cooper

      Courtesy of Cooperfly Productions

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 14, 2011 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Кардиолог
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • One-Twenty Inc.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,103,037
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $473,062
      • Jan 16, 2011
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,103,037
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 39m(99 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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