Hearts of the West

PG

1975

1 hr. 42 min.

Comedy

List

90%

10 Reviews

Tomatometer

41%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

During the 1930s, endearingly naïve Lewis Tater (Jeff Bridges) aspires to be the next great American Western writer. But when he travels to California, he's recruited by Bert Kessler (Alan Arkin), a Hollywood unit manager, to star in a series of low-rent Westerns. While on set, Lewis learns about the less glamorous aspects of the movie business while befriending an old stuntman, Howard Pike (Andy Griffith), and falling in love with a spirited young secretary, Miss Trout (Blythe Danner).

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KB B

It was pretty good. Watch it if you're in the mood for something light and there's nothing else on. It's so odd seeing Andy Griffith cast as a bad guy and using foul language.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/22/24

Full Review

Frances H

Light, warm-hearted comedy about a naive young man straight off an Iowa farm trying to break into writing and filling in as a movie extra to make ends meet. A very enjoyable film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/21/20

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Audience Member

there's no such thing as wasted time for a writer in Hollywood and thats what Lewis Tater is all about Jeff Bridges, Andy Griffith, and Alan Arkin are in the 1930's, Lewis wants to be a great writer for the industry but when he gets to California it's not what he expected he gets to work in a less glamorous way appearing in short Westerns Bert Kesslar, a unit manager hires him but expects more from his talent Lewis also falls for a young secretary meanwhile Lewis is also running from two hostile bandits he encountered at a hotel and it turns into a wacky chase I appreciate this being a tribute to b-western pictures of old. The movie is pretty derivative but there's a funny chase going throughout the whole thing. But it also opens up hidden corruption in the filmmaking business and how straining it is to just make it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Audience Member

For all its flaws, this is still a very entertaining film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

Fun Jeff Bridges movie

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I am not a fan of Westerns or Jeff Bridges, so this film is perhaps not for my taste. I do, however, appreciate the art direction and the ode to old Hollywood. Still I don't think it's really worth repeat viewings.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Howard Zieff

Director

Jeff Bridges

Lewis Tater aka Neddy Wales

Andy Griffith

Howard Pike aka Billy Pueblo

Donald Pleasence

A.J. Neitz

Blythe Danner

Miss Trout

Alan Arkin

Bert Kessler

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Pauline Kael

New Yorker

Hearts of the West doesn't sell anybody short.

Oct 11, 2023

Full Review

Richard Combs

Sight & Sound

For all that Zieff assembles these solid ingredients with a minimum of fuss, he does have a way of turning the simplest device to quietly expressive use.

Mar 17, 2020

Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

The jokes may not make you guffaw, but are carried out with a subtle, understated sense of timing and characterisation that will surely leave you with a quietly satisfied smile stretching from ear to ear.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Steve Warren

The Barb (Atlanta)

The film's really outstanding performance is that of Andy Griffith.

May 9, 2023

Full Review

Jacoba Atlas

Los Angeles Free Press

Like the best of Frank Capra's films... Hearts of the West unabashedly sides with the angels and makes no apologies for its lack of sophistication or cynicism.

Nov 22, 2019

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Generally affable yet completely forgettable...

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 2, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

During the 1930s, endearingly naïve Lewis Tater (Jeff Bridges) aspires to be the next great American Western writer. But when he travels to California, he's recruited by Bert Kessler (Alan Arkin), a Hollywood unit manager, to star in a series of low-rent Westerns. While on set, Lewis learns about the less glamorous aspects of the movie business while befriending an old stuntman, Howard Pike (Andy Griffith), and falling in love with a spirited young secretary, Miss Trout (Blythe Danner).

Director: Howard Zieff
Screenwriter: Robert C. Thompson
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009

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