In this romantic comedy, a middle-aged postmistress from a small town goes to a post office convention in New York and promptly falls in love with a man who is engaged to another. His fiancee is a widow with a teenage son. The man really wants a family, but he also really wants the postmistress.Trouble ensues while he makes up his mind. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Review by All Movie Guide
All Movie Guide
lost interest.
Geraldine Page, whose film and stage career included an amazing variety of roles, is still not an actress whose name comes to mind when discussing romantic comedies. Nevertheless, she is excellent in Dear Heart, a sweet and charming little film that is ultimately too insubstantial and dated to rank as a great film. (It also veers uncomfortably off track near the end.) Page displays many of her familiar characteristics and mannerisms -- a certain hesitancy, a distinct vulnerability compounded with an iron determination, a flutteriness. She creates a detailed portrait of a lonely, sad woman who knows that admitting her sadness would destroy her.
Glenn Ford is a bit dull as her intended paramour, but a large part of this is due to the role rather than the actor.
Angela Lansbury is dependably bitchy, and
Alice Pearce,
Mary Wickes and
Richard Deacon offer fine support.
Delbert Mann's direction is fine but unexciting; visually the film is somewhat static and dull. The sleek
Henry Mancini score, especially the popular title tune, is a definite plus. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide