Way back in July 2004, Disney released America's Heart and Soul without any fanfare. I reported about the release of the movie and indicated that I was eager to see it. While the film received virtually no screen time, it is now available on DVD. I finally viewed the movie tonight and I am perplexed as to why Disney did not put some promotion muscle behind this brilliant and inspiring picture!
America's Heart and Soul is a film by Louis Schwartzberg, a Hollywood veteran who is complete enchanted by the people and the land known as America. In a ninety-minute time span, Schwartzberg takes us on a spectacular sea-to-shining-sea voyage in which we meet dozens of Americans from just about every walk of life. From steel workers and gospel singers to a blind mountain climber and a Manhattan delivery boy, the documentary tells stories of real Americans sharing a piece of their heart and soul merely by doing what they do best.
Schwartzberg's eye for beauty is striking as the cinematography is breathtaking. Whether buzzing the brilliant autumn trees lining the hills of Vermont, the sandy beaches of California, the swamplike Everglades of Florida or the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky, the images are absolutely stunning, and they reveal what an incredibly diverse land we live in.
But more striking than the landscapes are the beautiful, humorous and inspiring stories of our neighbors all across the fruited plains. Every person has a story to tell and Schwartzberg has a way of making the focus of each vignette feel like family to the viewer.
We get to meet Patty Wagstaff, a three-time national aerobatic champion, as her plane cruises, dips, twists and dives through the air. Specially mounted cameras bring the voyage to life and we get to experience the passion that gives Patty life and meaning.
A trip to San Francisco takes us to Glide Memorial Methodist Church, where Reverand Cecil Williams has been ministering to the outcasts of society for forty years. Seeing him feeding the hungry, clothing the poor and loving the unlovable should be an inspiration to all who have a desire to make a difference.
Crossing the country to Boston introduces us to Rick and Dick Hoyt, a father/son team who have just finished their eighteenth Boston Marathon. The hitch? Rick is a quadriplegic with non-speaking cerebral palsy and is bound to a wheelchair, able to speak with the aid of a computer. The relationship between Rick and Dick lifts spirits and demonstrates how even the most severely handicapped individuals can strive to fly and do incredible things.
The film introduces us to Dan Klennert, a man who takes junk seriously, creating art from trash. We encounter steelworkers in Weirton, West Virginia, where a failing steel company has become owned by the employees who refuse to give us on an industry that has supported their families for generations. Music plays a large part of America's Heart and Soul, as a trip to Louisiana and cajun country introduces us to a people who come from a long line of musicians.
There are many more stories to tell. America's Heart and Soul barely touches the tip of the iceberg. After all, there are approximately 300,000,000 people in America. But Schwartzberg has succeeded in creating a timeless piece of Americana that I highly recommend to ALL Americans.
In a day and age where politics and things that divide us have dominated the news and water cooler discussion, it is refreshing to be reminded of the things that bind us together as Americans. Determination. Persistance. Faith. Family. Freedom.
Sick and tired of the anti-American blather constantly streaming from the mouths of TV's talking heads? Had enough with Michael Moore's attack on America? Go back to the basics and find out what makes us really great. Rent or buy a copy of America's Heart and Soul today. Click here to buy on sale at Amazon.com.
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November 9, 2004 07:41 AM
This is definitely a must-see film, which I definitely want to rent. However, I see that as usual you have to taint a perfectly good idea with complaints about Michael Moore and other facet of "the Bush haters" as you call them. Why not realize that Michael Moore and others who have questioned the system are only seeking to try to make America a better place, a place that more resembles the wonderful, unselfish acts depicted in this movie. That IS what maks America great, not the greedy Capitalism and war hungry, revenge seeking mentality that many had for the Middle East after 9/11. Can't you see that those who question the system may question ALL of the government and the way this country is headed - with more focus on money and power than self-sacrifice and reaching out to others. As I remembr, Michael Moore's first movie was about how greedy corporations put thousands of TRUE Americans out of work for teir own profit. If you don't think that the Bush admin. and ALL of government have its own interests ahead of the ideals of TRUE Americans, then I think you need to relook at the situation. True, Kerry would have been no better, but just because people question the giovernment does NOT make them un-American. I think we need to focus on values depicted in this Disney movie instead of worrying if the government is honest. The government will ALWAYS be CORRUPT. Only WE can make America a better place.
November 9, 2004 10:09 AM
Robert,
I agree that people are corrupt, even within the Republican side of the aisle. But the movie that Moore made was reprehensible, so full of lies and half-truths that many liberals even spotted them. Yet, it was passed off as truth to a gullible and willing public eager for red meat. This film was released around the same time and got no screen time. Why is that?
Anyhow, I'll be pleased to hear your comments once you view American's Heart and Soul. It is surprisingly apolitical. We even get a glimpse at the life of the extreme leftist Ben Cohen (from Ben & Jerrys' fame!)
Enjoy :-)
September 8, 2005 02:40 PM
Wow ! The movie represents everything America "is" and "should be" vs what we see so often in the media of what America "is" and "shouldn't be"! We are a diverse country of many peoples from many cultures. Rich, poor, white, black, proud of this country or feeling defeated by it - this is America. My country needs work - but - that's okay - so do I - and so do you unless you can walk on water! To find a proud spirit of self and country, to find a depth of personal character and faith in whatever deity you believe in if any - watch this movie. IF you can watch it and walk away angry, let down, or disgruntled - YOU - haven't bothered to do your homework - go out and FIND America ! It's all around you. Most of the peoples of the world aspire to come to America - if we are "all that bad" why on earth and how on earth could we be so diverse - our ancestors (yours and mine) obviously thought America was a great place or WE would not have been born here.