When I saw Helena Bonham Carter's name among the lead actors in "A Hazard of Hearts," I lulled me into a false sense of promise for this horrifyingly boring, poorly acted made-for-TV movie.This was one of HBC's very first roles, so perhaps she can be forgiven for taking whatever was offered her. Fortuately for her -- and the rest of us -- she went on to make far more artistically gripping work than this. As I understand it, even she shudders at the roles she took at first and the image it initially gave her. The constant music played throughout the film which, years ago, would have been nothing more that white noise to its viewers (I among them), now is cloying and annoying, often dominating many scenes and thus proving to be more than a bit distracting. The best work in the film comes from Christopher Plummer, whose portrayal of HBC's gambling addict father is so wonderful as to make you completely forget all the more regal characters he has more predominantly portrayed and even cause him to look physically different from his normal self. Well done! Diana Rigg's role as the devious mother is also carried off with great strength and polish so that even the camp reactions that might produce snickers from a less accomplished actress are nearly forgiven due to Ms. Rigg's talented work.
Review of A Hazard of Hearts
