secondtake The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1968) A Carson McCullers drama (she wrote the original book) with the usual array of gritty Southern types who are cast quite well. The director is the utterly unknown Robert Ellis Miller, and there are many times that I feel that the potential here, which is pretty deep, goes unexplored. The photography by James Wong Howe toward the end of his career is professional through and through, if somewhat routine for New Hollywood. Look for standout performances by Alan Arkin (as a lonely deaf-mute with a big heart) and Sondra Locke, later famous for many roles in Clint Eastwood films (with whom she was involved). An honesty of acting, and underacting, by these two (even by Locke, whose role is extroverted) hold the whole thing together, as undercurrents become the real meaning. This is more of a drama than a soap opera. I say this because there is a McCullers kind of interest in "characters" and "losers," people who are troubled and eccentric. But there is also an interpersonal drive to the subplots (as with Locke's character's family, a kind of caricatured struggling poor southern family with a father in a wheelchair) that has the potential to become interesting as soap. These two aspects are a bit at odds (they never jive), but a third aspect enters the plot and grows and grows, and it is the real reason to watch the movie and admire it: the intersection of black and white southern life. In a way that had become possible finally by the late 60s, Hollywood could deal with African-American life in an honest, believable way. The black doctor and his dilemma of appearing "uppity" if he treats a white man (a drunk) is only the beginning. Arkin's deaf-mute character is compelling. He's troubled, too, but has perception and persistence. He sees love more than feels it, it seems, but he has deep caring (which is a different kind of love). And that wins the movie. Look for great side performances by the doctor's daughter played by Cicely Tyson (who had many great roles after this, such as in "Sounder" and who was married to Miles Davis) and by the doctor, played by Percy Rodriguez. A moving drama that is a small, but important, cog in the breakdown of prejudice in the 1960s.

MissSimonetta The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is a good movie based on a great novel. As has been pointed out by literary purists, the movie is a smidge more sentimental than its source, though this is not what keeps it from masterpiece status. Its biggest problem is the disjointed nature of the screenplay: I honestly think Jake Blount's story should have been cut altogether (they barely do anything with him; Stacey Keach is just wasted) and that Mick's relationship with Harry should have been fleshed out more, making its ultimate dissolution more poignant. As it is, the movie jerks from episode to episode without much in the way of smooth transition.However, this film is not a failure by any stretch: James Wong Howe's lovely cinematography and great performances from everyone involved save it from the heap of forgettable cinematic adaptations of great literature. The acting especially so: Sondra Locke is the most convincing teenager played by a 20-something actor; she perfectly captures the angst, uncertainty, and awkwardness of being sixteen. Cicely Tyson has little screen-time, but she's harrowing as a woman estranged from a demanding father. Percy Rodrigues is an ideal Dr. Copeland, a tense ball of dignity and indignation. And then there's Alan Arkin as the lonely yet kind-hearted John Singer-- in a film filled with great performances, his is the best of the lot. Not just because he's a convincing deaf-mute, but because of how keenly he portrays this character's alienation. It's one of the great "lonely man" performances in all of movies.No, it isn't the book. No, it isn't a perfect movie on its own terms. But The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is certainly worth two hours.

wes-connors When his intellectually-challenged companion is committed to the state mental hospital, deaf mute silver engraver Alan Arkin (as John Singer) decides to move to a nearby Southern town. He rents a room, for $20 per week, from a family trying to make ends meet after an accident puts breadwinner Biff McGuire (as Robert Kelly) in a wheelchair. The room given to Mr. Arkin belonged to pretty blonde teenager Sondra Locke (as Margaret "Mick" Kelly). At first she resents Arkin renting her room, but Ms. Locke gets to know, and like, Arkin. His host family continues to struggle financially, and it appears Locke may have to quit school and help support the family...Arkin gets to know others in the small town, most notably physician Percy Rodrigues (as Benedict Copeland) and his daughter Cicely Tyson (as Portia). Arkin is able to convince Mr. Rodrigues to treat alcoholic Stacy Keach (as Jake Blount), although the black doctor usually refuses to treat white people. Rodrigues tells Akin the tragic secret he is concealing from his daughter...The combination of small screen (TV) director Robert Ellis Miller and veteran motion picture photographer James Wong Howe works magic on this story, based the best-selling novel by Carson McCullers and adapted by Thomas C. Ryan. The film should have been considered for one of those "ensemble" acting awards given in more recent years, which honor minor cast members...Arkin and Locke were considered for several 1968 awards. He won the lead "New York Film Critics" award and she was noted in as one of the year's best supporting actress. It should be noted, however, Locke is the lead actress in this film; arguably, Ms. Tyson should be considered the main supporting actress. In her first role, Locke impersonates a younger woman very well...Like real life, "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter" shows everyone as afflicted, or challenged, in some way. The characters in the story face physical, financial and mental challenges. Some are successfully managed. Some are not. There are lessons about drawing and giving strengths to each other. While the story is outstanding, one serious weakness stands out. This is the film's never showing us Arkin's companion Chuck McCann (as Spiros Antonapoulos) in a positive light. He is revealed as trouble-maker in each appearance. Some scenes showing the mentally challenged man's positive traits would have made Arkin's final decision even more powerful.********* The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (7/31/68) Robert Ellis Miller ~ Alan Arkin, Sondra Locke, Percy Rodrigues, Cicely Tyson

evening1 I have always been curious about this film but found myself disappointed by how much seemed to be left out of the story.Why did the Arkin character find it necessary to pretend he was a deaf-mute? I know he wanted to become Spiros's guardian, but this extreme tactic did not seem to follow. And how was it that this small-town jewelry fixer no longer had to earn a living? Nor was it clear what happened to the gluttonous Spiros. Had he died of a broken heart when Singer tossed the chocolates out of the car? And was that what triggered Singer's out-of-the-blue suicide? Arkin played Singer beautifully. What a handsome, understated performance. Yet I found myself angry at his character for killing himself in his rented room, leaving a vulnerable teenage girl to discover the carnage. Singer had shown the utmost in sensitivity and empathy elsewhere in the film and his violent demise shattered that for me.I also found the subplot about southern racism and a father-daughter rivalry to be tiresomely one-note. Too much time was given to all this, with very little payoff.This movie kept my interest, but it sure seems like one story best enjoyed in its book form.