In this horror movie with a Southern twang, an aspiring country duo seek guidance from their unhinged icon.
With so many songs about burying cheating lovers, it’s a wonder the country music sphere isn’t regular horror movie fodder. “Torn Hearts,” which shows a hopeful Nashville duo beguiled by their deranged idol, tries to break that ground. The trappings, including Pepto Bismol-pink handguns, sequined white leather and gold records galore, are A-plus, even when the script could use a tuneup.
The film follows Jordan (Abby Quinn) and Leigh (Alexxis Lemire), who, as the act Torn Hearts, are looking for their big break. Jordan, though messy and antisocial, is the band’s creative powerhouse — providing songwriting as well as backup guitar and vocals — while Leigh is its charismatic frontwoman. The two pounce on a chance to meet their hero, the reclusive singer Harper Dutch (Katey Sagal), but soon discover that the artist has bigger plans for them than they’d bargained for.
The actor Brea Grant has recently shifted to writing and directing, and as a result has brought more messy female characters to the big screen. Now, she’s partnered with Blumhouse TV and Epix to bring to life “Torn Hearts,” from an original screenplay by Rachel Koller Croft. The performers and creative team have worked hard to give this story its due. The costume designer Eulyn Colette Hufkie and the production designer Ryan Martin Dwyer enshrine Harper in diamonds and decay. The music producer Alan Ett, aided by dazzling vocal performances from the three leads, dresses this flick up in some seriously catchy original tunes.
Unfortunately, the script is too disjointed to keep its own complex characters afloat. Little is revealed as the plot bounces from one climax to another, making any eventual bloodshed feel exhausting and unearned. When the credits roll, you might find yourself feeling vexed — but you might also end up whistling one of the film’s many earworms for days to come.
Torn Hearts
Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 33 minutes. Rent or buy on Google Play, Vudu and other streaming platforms and pay TV operators.
Source: Movies - nytimes.com
