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Untamed Heart

  • 1993
  • PG-13
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
16K
YOUR RATING
Christian Slater and Marisa Tomei in Untamed Heart (1993)
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Play trailer2:00
1 Video
34 Photos
Feel-Good RomanceTragic RomanceDramaRomance

A waitress hardly notices a shy busboy who secretly loves her; until one night she's attacked and he comes to her rescue. From there a relationship sparks but one secret could mean disaster ... Read allA waitress hardly notices a shy busboy who secretly loves her; until one night she's attacked and he comes to her rescue. From there a relationship sparks but one secret could mean disaster for these fated lovers.A waitress hardly notices a shy busboy who secretly loves her; until one night she's attacked and he comes to her rescue. From there a relationship sparks but one secret could mean disaster for these fated lovers.

  • Director
    • Tony Bill
  • Writer
    • Tom Sierchio
  • Stars
    • Christian Slater
    • Marisa Tomei
    • Rosie Perez
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    16K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Tony Bill
    • Writer
      • Tom Sierchio
    • Stars
      • Christian Slater
      • Marisa Tomei
      • Rosie Perez
    • 107User reviews
    • 27Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Untamed Heart
    Trailer 2:00
    Untamed Heart

    Photos34

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    Top cast37

    Edit
    Christian Slater
    Christian Slater
    • Adam
    Marisa Tomei
    Marisa Tomei
    • Caroline
    Rosie Perez
    Rosie Perez
    • Cindy
    Kyle Secor
    Kyle Secor
    • Howard
    Willie Garson
    Willie Garson
    • Patsy
    James Cada
    • Bill #1
    Gary Groomes
    Gary Groomes
    • Bill #2
    Claudia Wilkens
    Claudia Wilkens
    • Mother Camilla
    Pat Clemons
    • Sister Helen
    Lotis Key
    Lotis Key
    • Nun
    Vanessa Hart
    • Nun
    Charley Bartlett
    • Young Adam
    Vincent Kartheiser
    Vincent Kartheiser
    • Orphan Boy
    Wendy Feder
    • Orphange Nurse
    Nancy Marvy
    • Caroline's Mom
    Paul Douglas Law
    • Steven
    Joshua Schaefer
    • Michael
    • (as Josh Schaefer)
    Marquetta Senters
    • Mary
    • Director
      • Tony Bill
    • Writer
      • Tom Sierchio
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews107

    6.816.3K
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    Featured reviews

    johnstingray01

    Why aren't there more movies like this?

    This movie is an hour and a half song of joy for romantics everywhere.

    Marisa Tomei as Caroline is a gentle romantic who falls in love completely and without pretense. She gradually brings out the shy and quiet Adam giving him the love and tenderness he so desperately needs.

    Two of my favorite scenes were seeing the joy on Caroline's face when she awakens and sees the Christmas tree Adam put in her room on Christmas morning. Also when they meet on opposing escalators and Adam gently touches her hand as they pass. Neither speak, their facial expressions make the scene work beautifully. This film is unashamedly tender, heartbreaking, romantic, soulful and life affirming. This little gem will pull your heartstrings much more than most big Hollywood movie "romances" could ever hope to.
    9doctor_dolittle

    Grab A Box Of Tissues

    "Untamed Heart" is an absolutely touching tear-jerker romance. Every once in a while, I just want to find a movie that allows me to let go and just cry. This is definitely one for the records. The chemistry between Christian Slater and Marisa Tomei is so strong that you just can't help but believe these two people actually care about one-another. Marisa Tomei as Caroline, a waitress that seems to work all hours of the night and Christian Slater as Adam, her quiet, secret admirer dishwasher with a heart problem. Throw in Rosie Perez as Caroline's smart-ass best friend and what more could you ask for? These characters have such depth that, even though the plot is a bit predictable, you feel so much for them and by the end, you will be reduced to tears. I still tear up every time I see this movie. The perfect film for any sap with a taste for sentiment. It will always have a special place in my heart. A romance to go down in movie history. 9/10!
    TODHOCKNEY

    forewarned

    You are hereby forewarned:if you are a tough guy (at least on the outside,like me)DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE with another human being! Except maybe, your wife or steady girlfriend, with proper discretion.The characters said things one to the other about their feelings of love for each other that were so deep and tender and with so much passion and detail, that the words felt like things I have felt and said to women I have loved and lost.They were haunting words and feelings, so strong and overwhelming that your heart feels it will explode if you don't say them and love so passionate, you feel as though you might faint if it weren't for the adrenelin in your blood!I had the same kind of life as the character Caroline, albeit, women who walked out or cheated, so it was personal too.Untamed Heart is a perfect example why many men hate these movies!They destroy all pretense to our toughness and macho if viewed with others,ie:("no I'm not crying,I just got something in my eyes").Not only that,we don't like to feel what this movie makes us feel,at least when it comes to the ending.I did not know how the movie ended before I saw it and had I known, I would not have watched it,for I'm really not the tough,hard nosed guy I portray myself to be.This is not a "they lived happily ever after" movie,which are the only love stories I like,but at least the character's relationship and love for each other remained intact.I want husbands and wives, girlfriend and boyfriend to love each other AND grow old together.Since I can't have that in real life,I want it in my movies.So....be forewarned,this movie "hurts so much here"(pointing to MY heart).
    inkblot11

    Tomei shines in touching romance about the working class

    Young, outgoing waitress Caroline (Marisa Tomei) still lives at home with her parents and younger brother. Although she has had her heart broken numerous times, she has not become cynical about love. Adam (Christian Slater) is a busboy at the same restaurant as Caroline; he is, however, a shy recluse who doesn't relate to people very well. Yet, when a crisis occurs, it is Adam who comes to Caroline's rescue. For the first time, she sees him in a different light and they begin a loving relationship. Caroline is finally experiencing the happiness she deserves and Adam is opening his life to someone else. Still, something from Adam's past comes forward to haunt them. Will they find a happy ending?

    This is an extremely touching and humorous love story about working-class people. The movie has many candid scenes about restaurant life and the people who work there. Also, Tomei gives a sweet, irresistible performance that warms the heart. Although one may need a kleenex or two before the film is over, its loving atmosphere will remain with the viewer for a long time. Recommended for everyone searching for a film to provide a feel-good-about-life day at the movies.
    8xredgarnetx

    A different love story

    UNTAMED HEART tells the story of the romance between a lovelorn diner waitress (Tomei) and shy busboy (Slater). It is a sad, sweet movie without the usual gloss and pretension that ruin so many filmed love stories. These are working class people living working class lives. Tomei is touching as a woman who has been hurt once too often but who still holds out hope. Slater gives one of his best performances as the virtually mute busboy with both social and health problems. A heart-tugging vignette at the very beginning, involving the busboy as child in a Catholic orphanage, foreshadows later events in the film. Slater underplays beautifully, and thankfully so as this is Tomei's film all the way. She never looked more beautiful than she does here. Watch for the Christmas morning scene. Tomei wakes up to a special magic thanks to her busboy pal, and magnificently conveys her sense of wonder. Beware, however: UNTAMED HEART (BOY WITH A BABOON HEART would have been a better title) is a two-box of Kleenex.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      To help her with her Minneapolis accent, Marisa Tomei asked that her driver be a native of the city. The first driver was sacked when she found out that he was from New Jersey, as was the second one when it transpired that he was originally from Texas.
    • Goofs
      When Caroline watches Adam put his sweater on he has nothing on underneath it. When she goes in to talk to him moments later, he has an undershirt sticking out from underneath the sweater, but as he was putting it on you could see he put both the sweater and undershirt on together.
    • Quotes

      Caroline: He doesn't make sense, I don't make sense, together we make sense.

    • Alternate versions
      A scene where Marisa Tomei took off her brassiere was re-shot at a different angle. The scene from the front showing her topless was only for broadcast on European television. However, the front topless has been viewed in the United States. So Comcast Cable must be running European versions even though USA version was supposed to be PG-13-rated. The March 2019 U.S. Blu-ray release and Vudu Streaming have the European version with the topless scene.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Untamed Heart/Strictly Ballroom/Groundhog Day/Love Field/Riff-Raff (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      This Time Of The Year
      Written by Cliff Owens and Jesse Hollis

      Performed by Brook Benton

      Courtesy of PolyGram Special Markets, a division of PolyGram Group Distribution, Inc.

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Untamed Heart?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 12, 1993 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • MGM
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Baboon Heart
    • Filming locations
      • Joe's Coffee Shop - 326 Central Ave SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA(Jim's coffee shop)
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $7,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $18,898,806
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,125,556
      • Feb 15, 1993
    • Gross worldwide
      • $18,898,806
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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