Lonely Hearts DVD Review

"Lonely Hearts" reviews

DVD

Lonely Hearts

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2007-10-26 14:50:33

Provider

DVD Review

The so-called Lonely Hearts killers of the '40s have been the subject of films before, but director Todd Robinson brings a very personal connection to this one. His grandfather Elmer C Robinson (played here by John Travolta) was the detective who tracked them down and saw them to their execution at Sing Sing. The killers, Raymond Fernandez (Jared Leto) and Martha Beck (Salma Hayek), specialised in conning war widows, who Fernandez would first woo, then murder.

The murder scenes are shot with a gruesome attention to detail, and could have been magnificently chilling in the hands of more convincing leads. Sadly, Leto and Hayek aren't suited to the roles, the latter appearing too likeable, while the former seems unwilling to throw himself wholeheartedly into the role of a sadistic killer.

Travolta is in good form as the dogged detective, but James Gandolfini is underused as his partner Charles Hildebrand - it's as if the director convinced himself the actor is such a charismatic presence dialogue and depth are unnecessary adjuncts. Despite these shortcomings, Lonely Hearts rattles by in entertaining fashion. The story intercuts between killers and pursuers, allowing a natural momentum to develop. A middling crime thriller with enough to keep you going if not to remember with any great affection.