IMDb > American Heart (1992)
American Heart
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American Heart (1992) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 2 NEW)
American Heart (1992) -- Jack is now out of jail and he meets Nick, his adolescent son. Their relationship will be complicated, because Jack has a problem with alcohol. But his love for Nick will help him to get over the past and reach his dreams.
American Heart (1992) -- A new study by the American Heart Association found that almost 25 percent of American women have high blood pressure. Dr. Jon LaPook reports.

Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   1,141 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 15% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Martin Bell
Writers (WGA):
Peter Silverman (story) &
Martin Bell (story) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for American Heart on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 May 1993 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama more
Tagline:
Jack's only hope was a dream... Nick's only hope was jack. more
Plot:
Jack is now out of jail and he meets Nick, his adolescent son. Their relationship will be complicated, because Jack has a problem with alcohol. But his love for Nick will help him to get over the past and reach his dreams. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(8 articles)
Melrose Place's Michael Rady On Heather Locklear and His Melrose Murder Fantasy
 (From Movieline. 13 October 2009, 2:00 PM, PDT)

Did you know that February is...
 (From FilmExperience. 24 February 2009, 8:50 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Great Unknown Film more (20 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
John Boylan ... Janitor

Jeff Bridges ... Jack Kelson

Edward Furlong ... Nick Kelson
Greg Sevigny ... Young Jack

Jayne Entwistle ... Monique
Willie Williams ... The Gospel Fireballs
Roosevelt Franklin ... The Gospel Fireballs
Melvyn Hayward ... Normandy

Don Harvey ... Rainey
Kit McDonough ... Landlady
Wren Walker ... Lisa
Cristine McMurdo-Wallis ... School Administrator
Lucinda Jenney ... Charlotte
Charlotte London ... Flo

Loyd Catlett ... Vernon the Bartender
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
113 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Finland:K-16 | USA:TV-MA (cable rating) | Iceland:L | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R
Filming Locations:
Seattle, Washington, USA

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Jeff Bridges' favorite film of his own. more
Quotes:
Jack Kelson: Keep my name outta your mouth. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Big City Dick: Richard Peterson's First Movie (2004) more
Soundtrack:
Jersey Girl more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
9 out of 10 people found the following comment useful.
Great Unknown Film, 29 July 2001
9/10
Author: raymond_chandler from Seattle, WA

I first heard about this movie when it was filming in Seattle, my home. Being a fan of Jeff Bridges, I had to see it when it was released. I now own it on video, and it is one of my favorites.

The Seattle locations are used well, but the basic story could happen anywhere. Ex-con Bridges tries to build a life for himself and his estranged son after his release from prison. There are subplots dealing with a pen-pal romance and Jack's ex-partner, but the focus is on the father-son relationship. What makes the film fascinating is the texture and depth of Bridges' performance. Jack is not too smart, a drunk, and flat broke. He is thrown into a harsh, uncompromising world at the very bottom rung, and somehow must find a way to survive AND stay straight. As he gradually takes responsibility for his son, Nick, he regains his self-esteem and humanity. Bridges shows us all this with humor, honesty, and zero sentimentality. He never shies away from exposing Jack's flaws, but also imbues him with a raw sort of nobility. Flashback sequences drawing a parallel between young Jack and Nick add a layer of poignancy.

There is level of verisimilitude and frankness in "American Heart" that contemporary, mainstream American movies rarely exhibit. In form it greatly resembles Dustin Hoffman's remarkable "Straight Time", but this film is about relationships, not crime. If all you want from a movie is escapism, stay away. Those who like to wander near the Edge will be rewarded.

"you keep me straight, I'll keep you straight"

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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for American Heart (1992)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
A little slow, but moving DoubleDeuce
Tracey Kapisky sinchri
**PlotSpoiler** I have a question about the ending... DoubleDeuce
great film !!! deedlebug32
love this movie jerikaljdkf
American heart video.. cuppckae
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