Three of Hearts (1993)
-
56% of critics liked it
(16 reviews) -
31% of users liked it
(1,441 ratings)
A new '90s expressiveness regarding homosexuality in movies is gently mined for laughs in this 1993 comedy that predates the similar but much more raw Chasing Amy and slightly more humorous Threesome. With her straight greasy hair, semi-paranoid outlook, and leather jacket she wears like a shield,… More A new '90s expressiveness regarding homosexuality in movies is gently mined for laughs in this 1993 comedy that predates the similar but much more raw Chasing Amy and slightly more humorous Threesome. With her straight greasy hair, semi-paranoid outlook, and leather jacket she wears like a shield, Connie (Kelly Lynch) already seems a bit unhinged. Then her girlfriend, Ellen (Sherilyn Fenn), breaks up their relationship and Connie loses it. In her grief, she hits upon a bizarre plan: Why not hire male prostitute Joe (William Baldwin) to seduce Ellen, then break her heart? Wouldn't that make Ellen rush back into Connie's arms? Of course not. For one thing, Joe's life is complicated by his protective yet sinister pimp (Joe Pantoliano) and a thug who mistakenly believes Joe set him up for a prison sentence. And Joe and Ellen fall in love. Yet an odd, sibling-like friendship develops between Joe and Connie that steers them through the repercussions of Ellen's discovery of their deceit, the thug's attack on Joe, and Joe's desire to give up prostitution. By the story's end, they've lost Ellen, but they have one another, and have learned to step beyond the protective relationships they have lost. Three of Hearts solidified William Baldwin's ascent to leading-man status (along with brothers Stephen and Alec) after 1991's Backdraft. ~ Nick Sambides, Jr., Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- R, 1 hr. 42 min.
- Directed By
- Yurek Bogayevicz
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Apr 30, 1993 Wide
- On DVD
- May 4, 2004
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
-
Emanuel Levy, Variety
Though timely in subject, this romantic comedy, with William Baldwin at the center of a triangle, is shallow and contrived, but there's still some pleasure to be had.
-
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Innovative and interesting renderings of relationships are at a premium; it's obviously much easier to stick a few characters into stock situations and let the plot grind to a stopping point.
-
Joe Brown, Washington Post
A two-hour anticlimax, Three of Hearts manages to offend just about everyone -- women, men, lesbians, heterosexuals, prostitutes and, most of all, moviegoers.
-
, Time Out
Shallow and virtually compromised out of existence.
-
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
An engaging romantic comedy.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Cast
-
William Baldwinas Joe Casella -
Kelly Lynchas Connie -
Sherilyn Fennas Ellen
-
Joe Pantolianoas Mickey -
Gail Stricklandas Yvonne -
Cec Verrellas Allison
