Torn Hearts (2022)
7/10
Country Music Horror Film
23 May 2022
"Torn Hearts" is a "country music horror film," and I believe it may be one of the first of its kind. The film deals with Jordan and Leigh, the titular "Torn Hearts" country duo (played by Abby Quinn and Alexxis Lemire, respectively). The film begins with them performing at a club where their manager Richie -- who is much older and also Leigh's boyfriend -- has brought them to meet country star Caleb, who is looking for an opening act. He and Jordan hook up, after which he tells her that they won't be the opening act because his record label wants an "all male" tour. Jordan is understandably bummed, but finds something more valuable -- that Caleb knows Harper Dutch (Katey Sagal), one of the legendary "Dutchess Sisters." She gets her address and suggests to Leigh that they go visit her and try to talk her into performing with them. Well, Leigh is the world's biggest Dutchess Sisters fan, and she can't possibly pass on the chance to meet her hero. So they travel off to Harper's house where they manage to convince Harper to let them in. After a little bit, Harper seems to be open to helping them, but things do not quite go the way they had anticipated...

"Torn Hearts" is a bit of a mixed bag, but mostly positive. The acting is really good, all three of our main leads are totally convincing. There's real, original country music which is a nice touch. In addition, there several really suspenseful scenes that are pretty unnerving. The main issue is some of the plot. Some things don't make sense -- for example, after Caleb tells Jordan flat out that his record company is not hiring a female act, she just doesn't tell anybody and instead let's people get mad at her. Harper's actions don't seem totally consistent throughout, and when the final "explanation" comes it's sort of underwhelming and not really logical. And man, the screenwriter clearly has some issues with the country music industry with special vitriol reserved for attractive women in country music!

But overall, a pretty solid film that's worth checking out.
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