Relationships as depicted in cinema are so "perfect". Well, reality is different, very different. The plot of this movie forces us to stretch our imagination. But stretch it we do, as we watch the characters "bang up" against each other. The unlikely relationship strokes our curiosity and keeps us tuned in. This is not a classic. But it is a very enjoyable low budget Romance-Comedy that is very typical of LMN. I have seen it three times and still enjoy it. That it telling.
10 Reviews
Schmaltzy, in a nice way.
Geowater7 November 2020
You can find lots of play-by-play reviews of this made-for-tv movie. You don't need another.
Basically, this is a sweet Hallmark Channel style movie. Albeit, an after-hours/late-night, adult Hallmark movie.
Still, it is a nice, sweet, hero-tale which shouldn't make the teeth ache. And has a few good smile causing scenes.
Sweet, Simple Love Story with Great Cast...
cariart11 November 2003
THE HIRED HEART is a sweet, inconsequential but enjoyable romantic comedy of a pretty Wyoming widow (Penelope Ann Miller), the town M.D., still carrying a torch for her lost bull-riding husband after two years. Her father-in-law (the wonderful Barry Corbin) determines to get her 'back in circulation' for the town's upcoming Centennial Celebration, and he starts sending a stream of 'available' bachelors (a truly SORRY lot!) to 'court' her. Not willing to 'heal' from her loss, she concocts a scheme; she'll hire a male escort to 'pretend' to be her boyfriend, and convince everybody she's 'taken'...until the Celebration is over.
Visiting a friend (Barbara Gates) in Denver who runs an escort service, Miller outlines the plan, then leaves it in her hands to send someone who's attractive, but "with a few wrinkles". Gates comes up with a brilliant idea; she'd send her brother (Brent Cullen), an aspiring composer who, despite being in a long-distance relationship, had yet to find true love, to play the role. Despite misgivings ("I hope she's not expecting sex..."), he agrees, and drives to Wyoming, to join his new 'girlfriend'.
While the film is predictable (Miller, kissing and platonically sleeping with Cullen, soon feels her long-suppressed passions re-emerge; Cullen, moved by her good heart, falls for her, and tries to get her to 'move on' with her life), in the hands of a first-rate cast, the story never grows tedious. The 'male bonding' scenes between the suspicious Corbin and the wry Cullen are comic highpoints, and while the climax, with Cullen riding the bull that had killed Miller's husband (to prove to her HE wouldn't die), seems contrived, the two leads have such terrific chemistry together that you KNOW things will end happily!
THE HIRED HEART is a likable 'feel good' movie that may not linger in your memory long after it ends, but will certainly bring a smile as you watch it!
Visiting a friend (Barbara Gates) in Denver who runs an escort service, Miller outlines the plan, then leaves it in her hands to send someone who's attractive, but "with a few wrinkles". Gates comes up with a brilliant idea; she'd send her brother (Brent Cullen), an aspiring composer who, despite being in a long-distance relationship, had yet to find true love, to play the role. Despite misgivings ("I hope she's not expecting sex..."), he agrees, and drives to Wyoming, to join his new 'girlfriend'.
While the film is predictable (Miller, kissing and platonically sleeping with Cullen, soon feels her long-suppressed passions re-emerge; Cullen, moved by her good heart, falls for her, and tries to get her to 'move on' with her life), in the hands of a first-rate cast, the story never grows tedious. The 'male bonding' scenes between the suspicious Corbin and the wry Cullen are comic highpoints, and while the climax, with Cullen riding the bull that had killed Miller's husband (to prove to her HE wouldn't die), seems contrived, the two leads have such terrific chemistry together that you KNOW things will end happily!
THE HIRED HEART is a likable 'feel good' movie that may not linger in your memory long after it ends, but will certainly bring a smile as you watch it!
A Delightful Movie
Marinelli6 April 2006
Penelope Ann Miller is excellent in the part of a small town country doctor. I just loved the storyline and also the guy who fell in love with her. They were so well matched. I particularly liked this movie because it did not contain violence. It was about love between two people and also the funny parts of their relationship. The movie held my interest to the very end. I don't want to say much more because I may give the story away, especially the ending, which I found very touching and heart warming. I cannot say enough about Penelope Ann Miller whom I consider a superb actress. She was absolutely delightful to watch in this movie which I thought was made just for her.
One of my favorite movies with Brett Cullen
timlucero18 May 2018
This is one of my favorite movies with Brett Cullen, especially when he stands his ground with Barry Corbin & Penelope Ann Miller, who I also like watching. My favorite see is when Brett rides the same BULL that killed Penelope's husband to prove a point about dying and surviving. I am glad to see this available on DVD. Meanwhile, this is a must have for those into romance movies and so forth.
Lightweight but nice romantic movie set in Wyoming.
TxMike26 August 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I have always liked Penelope Ann Miller, she is very pretty and is a good actress. Here she is Garnet Hadley, a highly educated physician in a small town. Almost 2 years earlier her husband, the love of her life, died in an accident and she has not been able to let go and move on. Her father in law wants to get a suitor for her, but instead she approaches a friend to hire an escort for a week, someone to pretend he is her fiancée, to get all the others to leave her alone in her grief.
Brett Cullen is Bryan, the hired "lover." Garnet thinks he is a male prostitute, but he really is a musician and composer, and only takes the "job" as a favor to his sister.
Barry Corbin, of Northern Exposure fame, is father in law Mike Hadley. Another actor from that older TV series, Graham Greene plays Keith, the native American hand that works for Mike.
The production values are not very high, more like a TV series or a movie of the week. Plus, the DVD does not have very high quality video or sound. Still it is an enjoyable movie with pleasant actors.
SPOILERS. Bryan is supposed to be hired for a week, and as he and Garnet get to know each other, they begin to fall for each other. However one day he and Mike remove all her deceased husband's pictures, awards, and clothes, but Garnet is hurt by that. There is a brief falling out, especially when she finds that he had not told her the truth of who he was, but in the end she learns to love again.
Brett Cullen is Bryan, the hired "lover." Garnet thinks he is a male prostitute, but he really is a musician and composer, and only takes the "job" as a favor to his sister.
Barry Corbin, of Northern Exposure fame, is father in law Mike Hadley. Another actor from that older TV series, Graham Greene plays Keith, the native American hand that works for Mike.
The production values are not very high, more like a TV series or a movie of the week. Plus, the DVD does not have very high quality video or sound. Still it is an enjoyable movie with pleasant actors.
SPOILERS. Bryan is supposed to be hired for a week, and as he and Garnet get to know each other, they begin to fall for each other. However one day he and Mike remove all her deceased husband's pictures, awards, and clothes, but Garnet is hurt by that. There is a brief falling out, especially when she finds that he had not told her the truth of who he was, but in the end she learns to love again.
Could have been one of the greats.
jsejms3 June 2005
You should have seen this script before the director messed it up. It was originally under option at 20th Century Fox for a feature film. The director had no sense of humor and was completely oblivious to small town western life and it still turned out pretty good. Grahm Green's part as "Keith" was hysterical and much larger in the script. Most of his part got edited out by the director and that was after he agreed to do the part for much less money than he usually gets. If David Lestor, the original producer scheduled would have filmed the work, it would have been 1997's "Sleepless in Seattle". As it was, it did the best numbers Lifetime had seen for an original movie to that point. It could have been so much more with another director!
Brett is so good looking
v4aholm29 September 2001
I think Brett Cullen has so much going for him. He should be in more leading man roles. He was also great in Something Borrowed Something Blue. He has played in many great films, but I wish he had bigger parts. He could carry the lead with no problem. Romantic comedies are my favorite and he is so good at them.
A dramatic romance
Dietta7114 November 2021
I love this movie because of the story it tells. Many define it as a romantic comedy which it is probably for the first halfth, but i believe it's a drama about loss and love. The main characters are extraorodinarily charming, because they are so generous but unperfect, making mistakes trying to obtain a better life. There's a part - the bull riding part - i don't understand so much, although i can see its metaphorical worth and, just as the main character Garnet Hadley, I don't really watch. The cast is wonderful.
A charming leading man fixes all wrongs.
Pro Jury8 March 1999
Brett Cullen is perfect as a charming dream guy in this movie.
If ONLY THE LONELY is the perfect lonely guy movie, THE HIRED HEART is a great lonely gal movie.
I am kind of surprised watching the LIFETIME channel. OLDEST BRIDESMAID had a lady lawyer out of touch with her emotions, BITTER BLOOD had a child killing housewife, and THE HIRED HEART had a lady MD with weird psychological problems. Keith Carradine, Brian Wimmer, Brett Cullen... the leading man is kind and nice. It just seems odd that these are the stories selected for a women's network.
If ONLY THE LONELY is the perfect lonely guy movie, THE HIRED HEART is a great lonely gal movie.
I am kind of surprised watching the LIFETIME channel. OLDEST BRIDESMAID had a lady lawyer out of touch with her emotions, BITTER BLOOD had a child killing housewife, and THE HIRED HEART had a lady MD with weird psychological problems. Keith Carradine, Brian Wimmer, Brett Cullen... the leading man is kind and nice. It just seems odd that these are the stories selected for a women's network.
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