Laikals
The greatest movie ever made..!
Reptileenbu
Did you people see the same film I saw?
Peereddi
I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.
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HEARTBEAT is one of the most overt adult fairy tales that you'll come across, its storybook wedding at the end dropping any hint of realism. Such movies live or die by their charm or lack of such, and while I've little doubt that the French original was oozing with that quality, HEARTBEAT only sporadically compels a quiet smile on its audience's faces. Too much of it leaves us waiting for something to happen, and not much ever does.Ginger Rogers was certainly too old to play her character effectively (she was nearly twice Arlette's given age) and you can see her trying too hard to convey a girlish freshness and naivete with her performance (ironically, these are qualities that she specialized in during her dances with Fred Astaire). I originally thought Jean-Pierre Aumont's performance to be very dull, but a second viewing suggested that it was much more the writing than anything lacking in what Aumont was doing. Adolphe Menjou has little to do, and while Basil Rathbone brings energy and a sense of fun to proceedings that desperately needed these qualities, he disappears through the final 2/3 of the picture. A movie about his school for pickpockets would have been a lot easier to sit through than the plodding romance that we got.I was surprised to learn that HEARTBEAT, despite being a fairly high- budgeted project, earned a decent profit for RKO Studios. It's not terrible, but that's a bit more than it deserved.
wes-connors
Reform school knock-out Ginger Rogers (as Arlette Lafron) is trained as a Parisian pickpocket, upon release from the institution. Unfortunately, Ms. Rogers is almost immediately caught. During the running time, she receives admirable support from sexy Jean-Pierre Aumont, teacher Basil Rathbone, and ambassador Adolphe Menjou. Even in soft focus, the lovely Rogers is an unconvincing 18-year-old. Interestingly, she did, with script and charm, manage the girlishness in "The Major and the Minor" (1942). Perhaps, "Heartbeat" was hoped to be the same sort of success. Not quite, but the cast and crew do what they can.**** Heartbeat (5/10/46) Sam Wood ~ Ginger Rogers, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Basil Rathbone, Adolphe Menjou
paintmyballspink
OK, so we know Oscar won't be knocking at the door for this title, but it is a watchable and charming film. Despite being a bit older than the age of her character, Ginger Rogers plays the part well and does look young. In many scenes she pulls off the part well enough and looks quite stunning. Adolph Menjou is also quite entertaining, his character's appearance usually brings out a laugh or two. I do recommend this film. The story has enough to it to keep you in your chair, and you may find yourself wanting to see more of a certain actor or actress. It's not my film of choice but if it's available give it a chance. It wasn't great but this film has enough to it to keep the viewer interested.
Oriel
I stumbled upon this film in an early-morning, commercial-filled broadcast, but such was its charm that I not only stuck with it but sought out a copy of my own. Part of its appeal is an unusual--and unusually wistful--role for Rogers: as a reluctant pickpocket-in-training, she combines a poignant innocence with her trademark spunk. Basil Rathbone is, as always, elegantly nasty as her mentor/Svengali, and the good old-fashioned happy ending will satisfy the romantic in you. This may not be for those who prefer Ginger in dancing mode, but if you enjoyed the cheerful sentimentality of Kitty Foyle, you should check out Heartbeat.
