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The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

Play trailer Poster for The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter G Released Jul 31, 1968 2h 4m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In this adaptation of the Carson McCullers novel, John Singer (Alan Arkin), who is deaf and mute, tries to help the people around him. He rents a bedroom in a small Southern town to be closer to his friend, Spiros (Chuck McCann), who is also deaf. John attempts to strike up a friendship with Mick (Sondra Locke), the teenage daughter of his disabled landlord (Biff McGuire), and meets the town drunk (Stacy Keach Jr.). Later, he helps Dr. Copeland confront his failing health.
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The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

Critics Reviews

View All (9) Critics Reviews
Tom Milne Sight & Sound Not that Robert Ellis Miller is a John Huston, but his bald statement of the facts from The Heart is a Lonely Hunter does bludgeon its way to a quiet, touching outcry against the terrors of loneliness. Apr 1, 2020 Full Review Renata Adler New York Times Alan Arkin, as Singer, is extraordinary, deep and sound. May 9, 2005 Full Review Penelope Houston The Spectator Robert Ellis Miller directs it thought-fully and non-bruisingly. Jul 11, 2018 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Touching drama. Rated: B Apr 3, 2015 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Alan Arkin is amazing. Rated: 4/5 May 23, 2008 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Alan Arkin gives a distinguished, Oscar-nominated performance as a deaf-mute man in Robert Ellis Miller's adaptation of Carson McCullers' acclaimed novel Rated: B Feb 2, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Neil B Sorry but couldn't give this film any more than one star. Am I the only person who thought this was awful ? I've read the novel and wasn't impressed either. The cartoon characters are "distorted" and one-dimentional . The two deaf mute guys are ridiculous stereotypes as are every other speaking part in this movie clumsy safe over-acted over-simplified. Honestly one of the worst movies I've seen truly awful. Tried four times before I managed to trudge my way to the end . The exact same as the novel actually but much worse . Wot a lot of crxp sorry. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 11/10/24 Full Review CodyZamboni Wow, this movie was not what I expected. A hearfelt, down to earth tale of people facing adversity in life, and doing their best to cope and overcome them. And that sometimes things dont have a happy Hollywood ending, but they still try to live their lives with dignity and respect for others, And how Alan Arkin's character helps, in various ways, the people he meets, and how he makes a lasting impression in their lives, Movie, pushes all the right emotional buttons. The themes of hopes and dreams trying to overcome mental illness, physical handicaps, racism, poverty, unexpected illness, alcoholism, and injustice, are all handled with proper understatement. One of Alan Arkin's best roles, matched by strong cast, especially Sondra Locke in her best role. Effective cinematography by James Wong Howe, Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/31/23 Full Review Mark A Moving and sentimental. Alan Arkin is superb. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/03/23 Full Review Audience Member Alan Arkin's performance in this movie is simple, low-key, yet intriguing and powerful to watch. I like the movie. It is worth repeated viewings. I need to read the book as well when I have the opportunity. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review dave s The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, based on Carson McCullers' novel, tells the story of John Singer, a deaf-mute living in the south of America, who finds meaning in his isolated life by providing help to those in his narrow social circle. While simple in plot, it is a complex study of alienation – alienation, depending on the character, that stems from physical disability, mental disability, race, economic status, addiction, or illness. The performances are all understated but impactful, especially those of Alan Arkin and Sondra Locke. While the story is ultimately tragic, it is simultaneously uplifting and inspirational and is a movie that has sadly been overlooked over the years. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Heart-wrenching story of a mute man in the South who died great things for people and is left alone with one friend. a young teenage girl. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/14/21 Full Review Read all reviews
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this adaptation of the Carson McCullers novel, John Singer (Alan Arkin), who is deaf and mute, tries to help the people around him. He rents a bedroom in a small Southern town to be closer to his friend, Spiros (Chuck McCann), who is also deaf. John attempts to strike up a friendship with Mick (Sondra Locke), the teenage daughter of his disabled landlord (Biff McGuire), and meets the town drunk (Stacy Keach Jr.). Later, he helps Dr. Copeland confront his failing health.
Director
Robert Ellis Miller
Producer
Thomas C. Ryan, Marc Merson
Screenwriter
Thomas C. Ryan
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating
G
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 31, 1968, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Runtime
2h 4m
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