Review of Untamed Heart (1993) by J D — 27 Nov 2007

This is where my love affair of Marisa Tomei began. Saw this at the theater when it first came out and continue to love it. I've got more appreciation for Marisa's acting abilities in this one, too, as I've watched it in later years.

When I first saw it, I was living in Minnesota (where it's based), and just thought that her character of Caroline was cute and wouldn't it be wonderful if I could be her Christian Slater. Now, though, having moved out of state and having developed an ear for hearing the Minnesota accent, I realize what a great job she did in nailing that accent.

She sounded normal to me as a kid, and now I can appreciate why, because she picked up the "Yahs" and long "O"s of the accent, but without turning it into an exaggeration (like the wonderful "Fargo").

All the characters in this feel like real people, and it's funny, sad, and even frightening (the scene in the park is really intense). Oh, Marisa, you stole my (untamed) heart. Sorry.