Heartsounds Explained

Director:Glenn Jordan
Composer:Leonard Rosenman
Country:United States
Language:English
Executive Producer:Norman Lear
Cinematography:Richard Ciupka
Editor:John Wright
Runtime:128 minutes
Company:Embassy Television
Network:ABC

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.

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" performance, Garner was nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe.

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryRecipient(s)Result
198542nd Golden Globe AwardsBest Actor in a Miniseries or Television FilmJames Garner[5]
45th Peabody AwardsABC
1st TCA AwardsOutstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and SpecialsHeartsounds
37th Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Drama/Comedy SpecialNorman Lear
Fay Kanin
Fern Field
[6]
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a SpecialJames Garner
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a SpecialMary Tyler Moore
1st Artios AwardsOutstanding Achievement in Mini-Series or Movie of the Week CastingEve Brandstein

Notes and References

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