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Released on: November 24th, 2015
Released by: Olive Films
Director: David Mirkin
Cast: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sigourney Weaver, Ray Liotta, Gene Hackman, Jason Lee
Year: 2001
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The Movie
This film definitely isn't fare typically found here at R!S!P!, with Heartbreakers basically being a romantic comedy with some heist elements tossed in, but straight men of a certain age (such as yours truly), probably found their way to watching this one back in 2001, thanks to the beauty and physical charms of one Jennifer Love Hewitt.
This is probably the only reason anyone might remember this otherwise typically plotted flick, capably directed by T.V. man David Mirkin, and starring Hewitt alongside Sigourney Weaver as a mother and daughter duo who swindle men out of their money before moving on to the next couple of suckers. Hewitt was an up and comer at the time, and it must be said that the actress has never looked better on the screen than how she looks here in Mirkin's film, playing up the calculating seductress to the hilt while also retaining a good amount of comedic timing.
Weaver is a good foil to Hewitt, and the combo balance off vibes of being sexy and smart while also being likable, despite their initially dishonest means of making a living. Jason Lee plays the love interest to Hewitt's character, and while their chemistry is fine, the film really succeeds more when its focusing on the broad humor and antics of Weaver, Hewitt's co-star Gene Hackman, and especially Ray Liotta, who steals the show in his early scene with Hewitt.
Mirkin and his crew keep things pacey and relatively light hearted, with much of Heartbreakers breezing through, thanks to its interesting characters and resort location shooting in Florida. Also look for small performances by comedians like Sarah Silverman, Zach Galifinakis and Nora Dunn, who add to the overall feeling of fun. Actually, Heartbreakers is funnier than it has any right to be, honestly, which is probably why Olive remembered it well enough to slap it on Blu-Ray fifteen years later.
Video/Audio/Extras
The AVC encoded 1080p transfer here of Heartbreakers looks colorful and crisp, with no imperfections to be found. Color palettes and skin tones looks nice, while the English language DTS 2.0 Stereo track is equally fine in what is otherwise not an audiophile's kind of movie.
What's sad here is Olive's track record of bare bones releases. Heartbreakers was released on DVD back in the day with plenty of bonus material, including a "making of" documentary, deleted scenes and a commentary track by Mirkin. Sure, the demand for a rom-com audio track isn't the highest, but these features really should've been ported over for what is ultimately just a hi-def reboot for Hewitt fans.
The Final Word
Yep, this definitely is the Jennifer Love show. If you're a fan, then you'll be happy as a clam seeing her in HD here, but those who don't dig might not see what all the fuss is about. Still, Heartbreakers is as funny and enjoyable as this type of fare can get, thanks to a pair of beautiful, funny women and their equally capable male co-stars having some rompy fun in the sun.
Click on the images below for full sized Blu-ray screen caps!
