Review of Playing by Heart (1998) by Rachel S — 12 Sep 2007

Best in Show: Ryan Phillippe.

One for the future: Ryan Phillippe.

Stand-out scene: Reveal at end.

Brainer or no-brainer: Brainer.

Stands up to one viewing or repeated?: Repeated.

DVD commentary any good?: n/a.

DVD.

An ensemble piece from the late nineties, this passed right under the radar as far as I was concerned but I belatedly stumbled across it as a follower of Dennis Quaid's work. With the likes of Angelina Jolie, Ryan Phillippe, Gillian Anderson, Sean Connery, Madeleine Stowe, Gena Rowlands, Anthony Edwards, Patricia Clarkson and Ellen Burstyn on the list of players this has potential quality written all over it. Living up to its potential, this episodic ensemble has a touch of the Altman or P.T. Anderson about it, the reveal at the end tying up the remaining loose ends. Eleven main characters work through their various affairs of the heart issues in Los Angeles, the snappy screenplay moving at a brisk enough pace to retain the viewer's interest.

Four different kinds of couples are followed in the plot; married, engaged, dating and cheating and you cannot fault any of the stellar cast for their impressive work here. Gillian Anderson and Angelina Jolie particularly excel themselves, Dennis Quaid another stand-out in an interesting role. A treat.