Playing by Heart

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Playing by Heart

R,

1999,

2h 1m,

Drama

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Watchlist

65%

46 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In this tale of how love binds 11 random people from Los Angeles, a married couple (Sean Connery, Gena Rowlands) prepare to renew vows; a widowed mother (Ellen Burstyn) cares for a dying son (Jay Mohr) ; a couple (Madeleine Stowe, Anthony Edwards) have an affair; a theater director (Gillian Anderson) strikes up a relationship with a stranger (Jon Stewart) ; an aspiring actress (Angelina Jolie) pursues a shy young man and a lone man (Dennis Quaid) talks of heartbreak to strangers.

Critics Consensus

It's overly talky, but Playing By Heart benefits from witty insights into modern relationships and strong performances from an esteemed cast.

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Lael Loewenstein

Variety

Mar 26, 2009

Carroll's characters spend so much time talking, albeit intelligently, that the connections they make seem peculiarly synthetic.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Jun 3, 2006

This charming romantic comedy with a Los Angeles setting cuts between seemingly unconnected miniplots the way some Robert Altman movies do.

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Derek Adams

Time Out

Jun 3, 2006

All of these characters are more interesting when things are going badly for them than when the tide has turned, and Carroll's determination to make the final reel an extended bout of audience tummy tickling is disappointingly conventional.

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Jun 3, 2006

2.5/4

A very slight and inoffensive movie. It's a lot like L.A. itself, all surface, soothing and warm.

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Ron Wells

Film Threat

Jun 3, 2006

3/5

The brightest spot belongs to Angelina Jolie, who is so compelling to watch she has chemistry with the furniture.

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Abraham M

Jan 3, 2019

1/3/2019 A much younger Angelina Jolie right before her career took off top bills this star-studded romantic comedy (and some little bit of drama). It is the story of four couples and their own little struggles with falling in (and out) of love. It is heartstrings-tugging for the most part, peppered with hilarity. Angelina and Ryan Phillippe are extremely gorgeous here by the way.

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George W

Jan 3, 2018

A great cast keep this relationship talkie ticking over. It plays out like a play and relies on the chemistry of the characters relationships. Another small role for Gillian Anderson as one of the sisters but a young Angelina Jolie rises above the ensemble cast as the unlucky in love sister.

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Hermione W

Apr 27, 2017

really liked this good family drama

Finn R

Oct 8, 2007

A very slight and inoffensive movie. It's a lot like L.A. itself, all surface, soothing and warm.

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Willard Carroll

Director

Gillian Anderson

Meredith

Angelina Jolie

Joan

Madeleine Stowe

Gracie

Anthony Edwards

Roger

Ryan Phillippe

Keenan

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Synopsis

In this tale of how love binds 11 random people from Los Angeles, a married couple (Sean Connery, Gena Rowlands) prepare to renew vows; a widowed mother (Ellen Burstyn) cares for a dying son (Jay Mohr) ; a couple (Madeleine Stowe, Anthony Edwards) have an affair; a theater director (Gillian Anderson) strikes up a relationship with a stranger (Jon Stewart) ; an aspiring actress (Angelina Jolie) pursues a shy young man and a lone man (Dennis Quaid) talks of heartbreak to strangers.

Director: Willard Carroll
Producer: Willard Carroll, Meg Liberman, Thomas L. Wilhite
Screenwriter: Willard Carroll
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 22, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 15, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.0M
Runtime: 2h 1m
Sound Mix: SDDS

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