Heartsounds

Last updated
Heartsounds
Based onHeartsounds: The Story of a Love and Loss
by Martha Weinman Lear
Written by Fay Kanin
Directed by Glenn Jordan
Starring
Composer Leonard Rosenman
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producer Norman Lear
Producers
Cinematography Richard Ciupka
Editor John Wright
Running time128 minutes
Production company Embassy Television
Original release
Network ABC
ReleaseSeptember 30, 1984 (1984-09-30)

Heartsounds is an American drama television film directed by Glenn Jordan and written by Fay Kanin, based on the book Heartsounds: The Story of a Love and Loss by Martha Weinman Lear. It stars Mary Tyler Moore and James Garner, with Sam Wanamaker, Wendy Crewson, David Gardner, and Carl Marotte in supporting roles. Produced by Embassy Television, the film premiered on ABC on September 30, 1984, as part of the anthology series ABC Theater .

Contents

Heartsounds received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations: Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special, Outstanding Lead Actor for Garner, and Outstanding Lead Actress for Moore. The film was honored with the Peabody Award to ABC Theater, while Garner was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his performance.

Plot

New York urologist Harold Lear gets a taste of his own medicine when he suffers a heart attack and is confronted with a medical institution which does not seem equipped to help. Wife Martha steps in to fight the system and get a measure of service and compassion. Ultimately the greatest battle is not waged against the medical profession, however, but against Lear's own failing body and his own mortal fears.

Cast

Production

Veteran television producer Norman Lear, who was Harold Lear's cousin, produced the film, initially offering the lead role to Paul Newman in anticipation of a theatrical release. Uneasy about the prospect of portraying an infirm and moribund character, Newman declined to participate. [1] Garner, however, had been in and out of hospitals from the age of five and had no reservations about accepting the role.

According to The Washington Post , author Martha Weinman Lear said: "I'm thrilled by the casting" and "I'm extremely lucky to have landed in the care of all these people… The screenplay is incredibly faithful to the spirit and substance of the book." [2]

Reception

Critical response

The New York Times ' television critic John J. O'Connor wrote that "the film packs something of the wallop of a powerful and unblinking documentary" and lauded the performances of Moore and Garner. [3] The Peabody Awards noted that "both Moore and Garner turn in captivating performances and take full advantage of a lean and emotionally powerful script." [4]

In the wake of his "frighteningly convincing" [3] performance, Garner was nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe.

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
1985 42nd Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film James Garner Nominated [5]
45th Peabody Awards ABC Won [4]
1st TCA Awards Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials HeartsoundsNominated
37th Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special Norman Lear
Fay Kanin
Fern Field
Nominated [6]
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special James Garner Nominated
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special Mary Tyler Moore Nominated
1st Artios Awards Outstanding Achievement in Mini-Series or Movie of the Week CastingEve BrandsteinNominated

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References

  1. "The Garnering of America The Hollywood Maverick Steps Out of Character For a Serious Drama". Washington Post. 2023-12-27. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  2. Hill, Michael E. (September 30, 1984). "HEARTSOUNDS'/A Loving Wife's Account of Her Husband's Dying". The Washington Post . Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  3. 1 2 O'Connor, John J. (September 30, 1984). "TV VIEW; 'HEARTSOUNDS' TAKES AN UNBLINKING LOOK AT DOCTORS". The New York Times . Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Heartsounds". The Peabody Awards . Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  5. "Heartsounds". Golden Globes . Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  6. "Heartsounds An ABC Theater Presentation". Television Academy . Retrieved January 9, 2023.