Scanialara You won't be disappointed!

Voxitype Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Hayden Kane There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Lucia Ayala It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Sindre Kaspersen French-born Icelandic screenwriter and director Dagur Kári's third feature film which he wrote, premiered in the Special Presentations section at the 34th Toronto International Film Festival in 2009, was shot on locations in New York, USA and Iceland and is a France-Denmark-Iceland-USA-Germany co-production which was produced by Icelandic producers Skuli Fr. Malmquist and Thor S. Sigurjónsson. It tells the story about a cynical owner of a bar in New York who after having his fifth heart attack ends up at hospital where he meets a homeless man named Lucas who has been committed due to a suicide attempt. After Lucas is released from the hospital, Jacques picks him up from the streets, insists that he becomes his apprentice and let's him stay in a room at his bar.Finely and subtly directed by Icelandic filmmaker Dagur Kári Pétursson, this quietly paced fictional tale which is narrated from multiple viewpoints, draws a heartily portrayal of a friendship and somewhat father-son-like relationship between a middle-aged bartender with prospects and an altruistic vagrant. While notable for it's atmospheric milieu depictions, fine production design by Icelandic production designer and actor Hálfdan Pedersen and cinematography by Danish cinematographer Rasmus Videbæk, this humorous, somewhat surreal and existentialistic drama depicts two mindful studies of character and contains a cheerful score by the Icelandic band Slowblow.This multinational and multilingual independent film about a rare kinship between two men from different generations and lifestyles which is tested by the sudden arrival of a woman named April who shows up out of nowhere, is impelled and reinforced by it's cogent narrative structure, subtle character development and continuity, quick-witted dialog and the prominent, understated, engaging and commendable acting performances by American actor Brian Cox, American actor Paul Dano and French actress Isild Le Besco. An intimate, unsentimental and diverse character piece which gained, among other awards, the award for Best Director Dagur Kári at the Edda Awards in 2011.

Christian Andersson The film is something between a feel-good and melancholic thoughtful movie. Sometimes, the dialog is really good, and the bar owner is great in his role.However, the movie is a little bit too much predictable in many scenes. Sometimes, it's good when a film can't be put in a specific genre. But for this one, I wish it would have been more consequent in style. It feels like the director couldn't make up his mind.For some interesting dialogs, the nice atmosphere and the great bar owner role, I give this movie 5/10.*spoiler warning* For the lack of knowledge about what happened to the stewardess and for the 5-10 silent seconds before the end-music starts playing (sometimes, it add to the atmosphere to do like that, but here it was totally wrong) I can't give it more than 5.If you don't have anything else to do, this film is OK to watch. (It's actually much better than most of what's going on the cinemas nowadays...)

Gordon-11 This film is about a bitter bar owner who insults everyone he sees. He encounters a homeless young man with a good nature, and takes him as his apprentice in the bar."The Good Heart" is filmed artistically. The mostly dark colour scheme, and the old and bleak sets augment the film's dismal atmosphere. The story follows a predictable pattern, as two individuals with vastly different personalities collide, they change each other. Brian Cox puts on a great performance as a character who is bitter and cold. Paul Dano's character is very good natured to the point that he is vulnerable to exploitation. He has the good heart, which I did not imagine it to have a literal meaning. However, the slow pacing and the overly bleak atmosphere hurt the enjoyment factor. If this story was filmed as a light hearted comedy, it would have worked better.

frosti-sigurjonsson This is a must see movie - goes on my list all time favorites.It is not a thriller but there is never a dull moment. It is no comedy either yet there were several occasions where I was laughing so hard that I was almost out of breath. It's difficult to classify.The script has everything. Excellent plot, really fantastic dialogs, interesting characters, unexpected turns and a surprise ending... a great story and its well told.The quality is excellent: filming, lighting, soundtrack, props, costumes ... everything. Brian Cox is fantastic as the grumpy bar owner... Paul Dano is convincing as the homeless young man.I thoroughly enjoyed this film.