First the bad news: The pace is a little slow and there's a little too much talk, simply for the sake of talking. Trimming would help. The film's 102 minutes could easily be brought down to 92 without sacrificing any of the storyline.
Now the good news: For those of us who are into old movie nostalgia, this charming evocation is written, directed and played with just the necessary light touch -- and that's s quality that's very difficult to bring off without going overboard on either slapstick or melodrama. This film has genuine charm, as well as attractive photography and music. Locations are especially well utilized.
All the players from Jeff Brides down to Marie Windsor are a real credit to the acting profession. Andy Griffith is superb. In fact, it's difficult to recognize him as the movie's unscrupulous extra.
A movie that can be enjoyed over and over, "Hearts of the West" has genuine charm, as well as superlative photography and a great music score. The production team has managed to bring off what "Nickelodeon" attempted on a much higher budget -- and yet failed!
Now the good news: For those of us who are into old movie nostalgia, this charming evocation is written, directed and played with just the necessary light touch -- and that's s quality that's very difficult to bring off without going overboard on either slapstick or melodrama. This film has genuine charm, as well as attractive photography and music. Locations are especially well utilized.
All the players from Jeff Brides down to Marie Windsor are a real credit to the acting profession. Andy Griffith is superb. In fact, it's difficult to recognize him as the movie's unscrupulous extra.
A movie that can be enjoyed over and over, "Hearts of the West" has genuine charm, as well as superlative photography and a great music score. The production team has managed to bring off what "Nickelodeon" attempted on a much higher budget -- and yet failed!