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5.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Hearts of Humanity remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like movies that feel like a Sunday afternoon in the 1930s, you might get a kick out of this. It’s got that specific kind of heart-on-sleeve sentimentality that doesn't really exist anymore. But if you hate melodrama or kids being saintly for no reason, stay far, far away. This one will probably drive you nuts.
The whole thing starts with a punch to the gut—a guy loses his wife at sea and then gets shot in his own apartment building. It’s a lot to handle in the first ten minutes. But the movie quickly pivots into this cozy neighborhood vibe that feels strangely comforting, even when people are acting like total jerks.
Sol Bloom is the guy you want to watch. He’s running this antique shop that seems to be the center of the universe for everyone in the neighborhood. When he takes in little Shandy, the kid from Ireland, it’s not exactly subtle, but it’s sweet. You can tell the filmmakers really wanted you to cry here.
The plot about the bootleg gin disguised as furniture polish is just... classic. It’s the kind of misunderstanding that makes you wonder if anyone in this city ever actually talked to each other. Dave Haller, the guy with the fancy car and bad intentions, is such a cartoonish villain that he almost feels out of place.
I found myself staring at the background details more than the actual drama. The way people just wander in and out of that shop feels less like a movie set and more like a real place. It reminded me a bit of the social messiness you see in The Lawless Woman, though definitely with less edge.
It’s not perfect. The kid playing Shandy is trying really hard to be the most adorable human ever created, and sometimes he succeeds just a little too much. It gets a bit sugary, honestly. But then you see a shot of a street corner that looks like it’s been through a lot, and you remember why these old movies stick around.
This isn't high art. It's not trying to change the world. It’s just a snapshot of a time where you could leave your door unlocked and maybe regret it later. If you’ve seen enough of these, you know exactly where it’s going, but that doesn't mean the ride isn't worth taking. Just bring a handkerchief, and maybe don't drink any mystery furniture polish.
IMDb —
1919
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