Playing by Heart (1998) (2024)

Popular reviews

• Review by gal pacino ★★★ 2

  when i was created in a madwoman’s laboratory 22 years ago, i was endowed with a special gene that forces me to like anything starring angelina jolie as a grungy manic pixie dream girl, gillian anderson as a cynical theater director who accidentally married a gay man, and dennis quaid as an improv actor who seeks solace from a drag queen. it does not matter how thin the plot is or how contrived the script — i was specifically genetically engineered to enjoy this movie and no one can fault me for it

• Review by alexa🪼🫧🪩 ★★★

  ryan phillippe with that little blue hairstyle and his slutty little outfits🤭🤭

• Review by Elizaveta ★★★ 3

  3 stars for Angelina Jolie and Gillian Anderson.

• Review by angelica ★ 1

  This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

  so you’re telling me that they put angelina jolie and gillian anderson in the same film but decided to make them sisters instead of a lesbian power couple??? i’m sorry but who do i need to talk to

• Review by Dave ★★★★

  This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

  "Talking about love is like dancing about architecture."

  And so says Angelina Jolie, one of the dozen terrific actors we meet in Willard Carroll's sensitive, articulate ensemble movie about a group of lovestruck Los Angelenos whose lives fatefully intertwine. The cast includes Ryan Phillippe as Jolie's AIDS-infected lover, Gillian Anderson as her reclusive sister, Jon Stewart (hilarious here) as Anderson's new lover, and Sean Connery as the girls' father. This delightful dramedy also features Dennis Quaid, Anthony Edwards, Madeline Stowe, and Jay Mohr in strong roles.

  "Playing By Heart" is sweet and thoughtful, food for the lovesick soul.

• Review by Melody ★★★★★ 2

  "Don't be an anger ball."

  "Let me just jump ahead to the inevitable okay? We get together. You hurt me. It ends badly."
  "That's a really depressing way to look at a fledgling relationship."
  "Well there's nothing fledgling about it. And honestly that is the only viewpoint that I have."

  "You're overwrought!"
  "I'm perfectly wrought! Given the circumstances I'm even a bit under wrought!"

  "You can't treat people like you treat people and then say something adorable like that!"

  "…and I haven't cried in a very long time…"

  "You're a fucking optimist."
  "That's my job."

  "Talking about love is like dancing about architecture… but that ain't gonna stop me trying."

  "I thought you didn't cry."
  "And I thought you didn't…

• Review by Michelle Parsons ★★★ 3

  Anyone else start sweating when all these people say “I love you” after 3 dates?? Also, we all need more Madeleine Stowe and 90’s-era Jon Stewart in our lives.

• Review by Sam RJ Coley ★★★

  I went on a 2nd date with this guy & he invited me back to his place to "watch a movie" and it was this one and I was SO DRUNK on black vodka and then I ugly cried at the emotional climax and I had to run away and never see him again. So, thanks? I think?

• Review by ava

  disgustingly cried throughout at least half of gillian anderson's scenes while having a very unexpected but also very intense sexual awakening about jon stewart.
  all at nearly 4am. nice ❤

• Review by Corey Pierce ★★★½

  The Big Chill and Love Actually as seen through 90s Miramax sad bastard lens

• Review by jana ★★½

  - “what did i ever do to deserve you?”
  - “usually that line is screamed at me by somebody running out the door. not standing in front of me and staying. it makes for a nice change.”

  if i’m being honest, i would’ve liked this more if it was only about joan and keenan, but i’ll take it.

• Review by Hannah ★★½

  The Angelina Jolie breakup dividing up of furniture phone call is iconic.