A good heart these days is hard to find, especially when you’re a grumpy old man. Jacques (Brian Cox) is the original grumpy old man. If there were a Grumpy Town, he would be the mayor, but instead the’s foul mouthed bitter bartender and owner of The Oyster World. A old bastard with filthy habits who should maybe be worried about going straight to hell. Everyday is a battle of life for Jacques. Whilst recovering from his fifth heart attack he meets Lucas, (Paul Dano) a young man in the prime of life who thinks he has nothing to live for. The more time the two men share, they begin to see things in a different light and change their views of the world. The classic old couple, you say. The street kid on the green side of street wise and the grumpy old man who’s lived at least 8 of his 9 lives.
Jacques takes Lucas under his wing and begins to train him as a bartender at The Oyster Bar which like it’s owner, is opinionated, dirty, and leaves a bitter taste in the mouth – a place that would call a pint of cider and blackcurrant a cocktail, that doesn’t allow women or “walk-ins”, it’s just a bar for regulars – all six of them. Every hour is happy hour. And as the two become accustomed to each other, a loyal friendship begins and it’s absolutely believable, and even quite touching. That is until a stewardess named Alice arrives and Lucas takes her in. Sweet and simple.
But that’s the problem with The Good Heart – it is all a little bit too simple, once you realise the direction the film is heading, and that’s quite early on, there are no real surprises. Even during the final scenes you can’t help but feel that there should be something more than what actually happens. Emotionally it feels too simple and almost cold. But even with that fundamental flaw it does have beautiful moments and manages to be honest. There are no real surprises here, it’s all about the journey. And it’s quite the journey. Just be prepared and take a hat and gloves for the cold.
Showing @ Cineworld 23rd of June 18:00 and 24th of June 20:30