"Williams Bonham Carter and Bettany all deliver beautifully shaded performances." Maitland McDonagh TV GUIDE'S MOVIE GUIDE "A class act through and through." Chris Wiegand BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE "A touching movie that makes an indelible impression." Steve Rhodes STEVE RHODES' INTERNET REVIEWS "Elegant -- a tang of Merchant-Ivory, but with a distinct taste of its own." Donald J Levit REELTALK MOVIE REVIEWS

What The Critics Say

"A civilized film about people who are as fascinating for their flaws as for their strengths." Rex Reed NEW YORK OBSERVER "An old-fashioned weepie buffed to a Masterpiece Theater gloss." Loren King CHICAGO TRIBUNE "A little, heartbreaking gem." Michael O'Sullivan WASHINGTON POST "There's much to admire in The Heart of Me, a handsomely mounted and finely acted period drama of adultery in the English upper classes before and after World War II." Tim Knight HOLLYWOODVIDEO.COM

At A Glance I'd like a dollar for every time someone has said to me, "how do you get a job like yours" or "I wish I had your job". The truth is, its not all that glamorous. At times it can be quite exhilerating, at times quite depressing, other times distressing and sometimes it actually feels like you really have thrown away two hours of your precious, short life here on planet earth, for nothing! Having the opportunity to see so many films is, indeed a privilege. I wasn't handed to me on a plate. But one thing I can say is this; "when it comes to the good ones, there's a real joy in seeing a diverse range of quality films. Many I would never had experienced seeing if it hadn't been for the job." Like this one, "The Heart Of Me". Filmed over seven weeks on location in London and the Isle of Man and at Shepperton Studios it's an attractively packaged love story involving two sisters who are both in love with the same man. By todays standards "The Heart Of Me" most probably sounds 'the norm' but it isn't, for "The Heart Of Me" is set in a period from 1934 through to 1946. Two women with one man would have set the tongues wagging in those days, but it gets worse. One of the sisters is married to this man. And the fact that the affair covers a little over a decade says something for stamina, doesn't it? But this is not a bawdy, sensual romp across the big screen. This is a film for those discerning viewers who love beautiful images, intriguing characters and a good yarn. But is it just a yarn? Well not quite. You see "The Heart Of Me" is based on the 1953 novel "The Echoing Grove," by Rosamond Lehmann. The best-seller is reported to be loosely based on Lehmann's illicit affair with the Poet Laureate, C Day Lewis. So what attracted everyone to the project? "I came across the book, "The Echoing Grove", when I was a student," says producer Martin Pope . "My mother had a first edition copy. I was reading all of Rosamond Lehmann’s books and I thought this one was particularly good. About ten years later when I was a script editor at the BBC and just starting to produce, I picked it up and read it again and felt it could work as a really good, intense drama. It’s a very strong three-hander." Screenwriter Lucinda Coxon admits she knew very little about Rosamond Lehmann, "although I had read her first novel, "The Dusty Answer". I was thrilled by "The Echoing Grove" from the moment I started it. I knew this was very special source material. I was fascinated by the generation among whom the book is set, this period in the 1930s when it was a commonplace that people would lose their parents in one war and their children in the next. There’s a moment in the book [and in the film] when Rickie leaves his wife and she tells him he’ll never see his son again. When Rickie points out that losing a father 'didn’t do much for him', she retorts that it’s inappropriate for him to compare himself 'with a casualty of war'. But of course, it’s not inappropriate, he’s fighting a different war, like everyone else in the story, trying to forge a new world after the death of the religious and social certainties with which they were brought up."
And what was it that attracted Thaddeus O’Sullivan to take up the directing role? "It was the love affair that attracted me to the story," he says. Explaining, "I think that everyone wants to believe in love as a great force and Rickie and Dinah’s love story is compelling; their affair has such an unstoppable momentum. Their great passion is underscored by several things. One is Rickie’s buried emotions which are suddenly and alarmingly exposed. Then there’s Dinah’s feelings about her sister which are complex, to say the least." And there is a complexity to not only the love affair but also the future concequences of all their actions? “Rickie and Dinah are so cruel in their betrayal of Madeleine that you feel there must be consequences of their great passion," O'Sullivan said . "It might sound odd but I saw it like an emotional thriller because I felt that the relationships should carry a terrific tension. I liked and disliked all three characters simultaneously." And what did the stars think? “When I started reading the script, I thought I knew what it was about but what you pray for, as an actor, is that there’s something unexpected. This is a very unexpected script," Olivia Williams says. "The development of the plot is surprising, well-written and convincing and although at first I was concerned that it could be described as a ‘period piece’, the writing and emotions seem so truthful and modern that I overcame my fears and decided it was the best script I’d read in a long time."
The star of "A Beautiful Mind", Paul Bettany agrees. "It’s one of the best scripts I’ve read in about four years. I like the kindness of the story; it’s nice to see a film where everybody is forgiven." Helena Bonham Carter feels "The Heart Of Me" is non-judgemental. "I think an audience will be able to sympathise with all of the characters at some stage. What attracted me to the project was that one might make a judgement about one of the characters and then find it entirely reversed. It’s morally grown up. It’s not black and white and clear-cut."
My own observation of "The Heart Of Me" is aligned to that of writer Lucinda Coxon who like me asks "what conclusion will people draw from this story? Who will they feel has been responsible for this chain of events? Has Rickie destroyed the sisters or have they, in fact, destroyed him? I wonder if an audience will finally feel unable, or unwilling, to apportion blame anywhere." That is the feeling I get. No-one will want to apportion blame to any party. The tragedy which befalls them is, I suppose, a burden each must bear.
"The Heart Of Me" was directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan ["Ordinary Decent Criminal", "Nothing Personal" and "December Bride"], produced by Martin Pope ["Lawless Heart", "The Turn Of The Screw", "Two Oranges and a Mango" and "Alive And Kicking"], written by Lucinda Coxon ["Don’t Call Me Mum", "The Dyke and the Dybbuk", "Lilly and the Secret Planting" and "Mother of Pearl"], edited by Alex Mackie ["Station Jim", "Judge Dredd", "The Young Americans" and "Thin Air"], original music by Nicholas Hooper ["The Tichborne Claimant", "Space Ark", "Travellers Tales" and "Network First"] while the haunting images were shot under the director of photography Gyula Pados ["Hotel Splendide" and the award winning short films "Dawn", "The Sin Eater" and "Angel Street"],
"The Heart Of Me" stars Helena Bonham Carter ["The Wings of the Dove", "Planet Of The Apes", "Howard’s End" and "A Room with a View"], Olivia Williams ["The Man From Elysian Fields", "Sixth Sense", "Dead Babies", "Rushmore" and "The Postman"], Paul Bettany ["A Knight’s Tale", "Dead Babies", "A Beautiful Mind" and "Master & Commander: Far Side Of The World"], Eleanor Bron ["Bedazzled", "House of Mirth", "Iris" and "Women In Love"], Luke Newberry ["Alone II"], Alison Reid [the TV Mini Series "NeverWhere"] and Tom Ward ["Lethal Justice", "Public Enemies" and "Quills"]. The Story London 1934. A time of mourning for Mrs Burkett and her two daughters Dinah and Madeleine. The loss of a husband and a father is hard to take. At the graveside Dinah openly weeps while Madeleine manages to contain any outward show of her grief. It is a time for all the family to support each other and so Dinah is invited to spend some time with Madeleine, her husband Rickie and son Anthony at their elegant home in Montagu Square. What most would see as a simple act of kindness to ones kin, will lead to over a decade of deception, and a love triangle involving both sisters. Rickie soon becomes attracted to Dinah, a free spirited woman so unlike her staid sister. He helps her find a flat, then visits her to ensure she is coping well. It is not long before he abandons the pretence and they become lovers. They spend idyllic afternoons together. Then Dinah announces she is pregnant. It will be the start of a tragic period for Dinah and Madeleine. It will tear the sisters apart. Then the war comes. It will lead to further loss. Yet through it all a bond remains. The sisters will meet again. The Verdict "Beautifully constructed story; and shot with a look of authenticity that reflects the period so well. All three lead actors are superb in their roles. The story is intensely driven by emotion, detail and sumtuous images. While there is a passionate love story in "The Heart Of Me", there is much tragedy, so bring the tissues if you're a weeper. A pleasurable experience that will touch the heart. Recommended for romantics and those who love period productions in the style of those classic Merchant Ivory films." The Cast

Helena Bonham Carter Olivia Williams Paul Bettany Eleanor Bron Luke Newberry Tom Ward Gillian Hanna Andrew Havill Alison Reid Kathryn Tennant-Maw Rebecca Charles John Rowe Shaughan Seymour Simon Day Jenny Howe Rosie Ede Rosie Bonham-Carter Paul Ridley

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Dinah Madeleine Rickie Mrs Burkett Anthony Jack Betty Charles Bridie Sylvia Miss Matthews Drysdale Jeweller Hospital Doctor Nurse Landlady Clarissa Policeman

The Crew Directed by Thaddeus O'Sullivan Screenplay by Lucinda Coxon From the novel "The Echoing Grove" by Rosamond Lehmann Produced by Martin Pope Original Music by Nicholas Hooper Cinematography by Gyula Pados Film Editing by Alex Mackie Casting by Kate Rhodes James Production Design by Michael Carlin Art Direction by Karen Wakefield Set Decoration by Rebecca Alleway Costume Design by Sheena Napier Rated MA15+ [AUST] Run Time 96 minutes Copyright ©2004 - ThinkFilm - All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2004 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved