American Heart (1992)
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88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
61% of users liked it
(1,464 ratings)
Following up on Streetwise, his powerful documentary on the homeless kids of Seattle, director Martin Bell returned to that city for a dramatic feature. Nick Kelson (Edward Furlong) is a troubled teenager whose mother has been dead for many years; he spends much of his time with other throwaway kids… More Following up on Streetwise, his powerful documentary on the homeless kids of Seattle, director Martin Bell returned to that city for a dramatic feature. Nick Kelson (Edward Furlong) is a troubled teenager whose mother has been dead for many years; he spends much of his time with other throwaway kids roaming the city. When Nick's father Jack (Jeff Bridges) is released from a long stretch in prison, the father and child reunion is a bumpy one. Jack senses an obligation to his son but is trying to focus on taking responsibility for his own life before he can extend himself. Nick is wary of his father's criminal background, but he also craves the stability of a real home life. Aware that a return to the city whose mean streets spawned his criminal career might pull him back into his old ways, Jack talks about moving to Alaska to make a fresh start, but it's not clear if Nick is part of his plan. The film's unsentimental look at its characters always on the verge of backsliding didn't endear it to ticket buyers, but it was lauded by many critics for its honesty and for Bridges' strong performance, which won an Independent Spirit award. ~ Tom Wiener, Rovi
- Directed By
- Martin Bell
- Genres
- Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1992 Wide
- On DVD
- Feb 18, 2003
- Studio
- Live Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The film begins as a gritty look at down-and-out lives in Seattle, but becomes a more conventional father-son melodrama, though the acting Jeff Bridges and Edward Furlong is good.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A gritty tale about a down-and-out father and son who inch toward a loving relationship
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jeff Bridges
as Jack Kelson
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Edward Furlong
as Nick Kelson
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Lucinda Jenney
as Charlotte
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Don Harvey
as Rainey
- Tracey Kapisky
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Maggie Welsh
as Freddie
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Loyd Catlett
as Vernon the Bartender
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Marcus Chong
as Terry Cosmos
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Barbara Irvin
as Nicole
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Todd Jamieson
as Suburban Father
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Cristine McMurdo-Wallis
as School Administrator
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Shareen J. Mitchell
as Diane
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Burke Pearson
as Jack's Bum
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John Boylan
as Janitor
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Kit McDonough
as Landlady
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Willie Williams
as The Gospel Fireballs
- Greg Sevigny
- Jayne Entwistle
- Melvyn Hayward
- Roosevelt Franklin
- Lacinda Jenney
