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Movies / On DVD / America's Heart and Soul
America's Heart and Soul

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America's Heart and Soul (2004)

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Reviews Counted:63

Fresh:31

Rotten:32

Average Rating:5.8/10

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for mild thematic elements

Runtime: 88 mins

Genre: Education/General Interest

Theatrical Release:Jul 2, 2004 Limited

Box Office: $273,754

Synopsis: Documentary film AMERICA'S HEART AND SOUL is a series of shorts about people who live in the United States and who are--in a kooky, brave, inventive, or otherwise offbeat way--outstanding... Documentary film AMERICA'S HEART AND SOUL is a series of shorts about people who live in the United States and who are--in a kooky, brave, inventive, or otherwise offbeat way--outstanding Americans. The portraits are unrelated, but they are linked by a romantic patriotism, as if the film is rhetorically asking, aren't Americans something else? Director Louis Schwartzberg combines his own color-saturated aerial footage (taken in locations from the Continental Divide to the Vermont countryside) with wonderful vignettes about people who live extraordinary lives that add to the richness of our national identity. Take, for example, John "Yac" Yacobellis, a legendary bike messenger from New York, revered by his colleagues, who earns $200 a day narrowly avoiding car doors swinging into his path. Or the fledgling rock band Waltham, who work blue collar jobs in Massachusetts by day to support their hard-rocking nights. Patty Wagstaff, the three-time aerobatic flyer champion, describes the sensation of aerial loops, and tells how the dangers of her job keep her focused. Also featured in this long lineup of characters is Michael Bennett, who served time for armed robbery, turned his life around, and ended up on the Olympic boxing team. Even Ben Cohen (co-owner of the Ben & Jerry's ice cream enterprise) offers his two cents about growing a business from a small mom-and-pop shop a major brand. Schwartzberg's film, illustrated by inspirational sayings and uplifting majestic music, leaves one with the sensation of being cheered into a bubble of stalwart national pride. Schwartzberg formerly directed commercials, and his project has all the sparkle of a Coca-Cola ad. But audiences will nonetheless be struck by the film's essential truth: America is filled with complex, talented, and unusual folks--and that's something to feel good about. [More]

Director: Louis Schwartzberg

Director: Louis Schwartzberg
Producer: Louis Schwartzberg
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

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Release:

Feb 1, 2005

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • America's Heart & Soul
  • From sea to shining sea, from amber waves of grain to purple mountain majesties, it's not merely the land that makes America beautiful -- it's her people. Captured with stunning cinematography, AMERICA'S HEART & SOUL takes you on a journey that weaves across this great nation, revealing a rich tapestry of ordinary people living extraordinary lives as they follow their dreams with the freedom of spirit that's uniquely American. From the Vermont dairy farmer, to the blind mountain climber, to the father and son marathon runners, their inspiring stories are as different as can be -- passionate, colorful, courageous, funny, touching. Featuring an exclusive new song by John Mellencamp, "The World Don't Bother Me None," AMERICA'S HEART & SOUL is a gloriously joyous celebration of being an American.
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
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    Reviews for America's Heart and Soul

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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
    04/29/09
    Felix Vasquez Jr.
    Felix Vasquez Jr.
    Cinema Crazed

    Forget reality television. This is reality and it's all about people who don't need a head shot to validate their existence.

    Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
    09/01/06
    Lisa Ann Cockrel
    Lisa Ann Cockrel
    Christianity Today

    ... a whirlwind tour of the nation through the romantic, colorful, gravity-defying cinematography of director Louis Schwartzberg.

    Full Review Source: Looking Closer | comment Comment
    12/06/04
    Jeffrey Overstreet
    Jeffrey Overstreet
    Looking Closer
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
    11/11/04
    Peg Aloi
    Peg Aloi
    PopMatters

    a mixture of laughter, awe, admiration, and poignancy.

    Full Review Source: tonymedley.com | comment Comment
    09/24/04
    Tony Medley
    Tony Medley
    tonymedley.com

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: FilmJerk.com | comment Comment
    08/16/04
    Brian Orndorf
    Brian Orndorf
    FilmJerk.com

    Even if [Schwartzberg's] choices feel somewhat clichéd, there's no doubting the spirit of his subjects, who seem genuinely proud to share their thoughts and feelings for a few, too brief moments.

    Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
    08/13/04
    Elizabeth Weitzman
    Elizabeth Weitzman
    New York Daily News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    For an episodic film, America's Heart and Soul is fast-paced and often downright exciting.

    Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
    08/08/04
    Bruce Feld
    Bruce Feld
    Film Journal International

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News | comment Comment
    07/20/04
    Robert Denerstein
    Robert Denerstein
    Denver Rocky Mountain News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    An inspirational and emotionally effective feel-good film.

    Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment Comment
    07/12/04
    Richard Roeper
    Richard Roeper
    Ebert & Roeper
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    07/11/04
    Marrit Ingman
    Marrit Ingman
    Austin Chronicle

    In this film even homeless people have something positive to say about the country.

    Full Review Source: Boulder Weekly | comment Comment
    07/09/04
    Thomas Delapa
    Thomas Delapa
    Boulder Weekly

    Less evocative and honest in all its 88 minutes than, say, just one of the throwaway establishing shots of Angela Arenivar's dusty Texas-panhandle hometown in last year's Spellbound, a true American movie with a lot more heart and soul.

    Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
    07/07/04
    Gregory Kirschling
    Gregory Kirschling
    Entertainment Weekly
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    A place where nobody watches TV, criminals are rehabilitated, and everyone's life has meaning

    Full Review Source: Movie Habit | comment Comment
    07/07/04
    Marty Mapes
    Marty Mapes
    Movie Habit

    We watch movies every day that celebrate violence, sex, and crude humor. Now, here’s the chance to watch a movie that powerfully presents something worth celebrating: us.

    Full Review Source: FilmStew.com | comment Comment
    07/06/04
    Larry Carroll
    Larry Carroll
    FilmStew.com

    Singing a few rounds of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' is much more stirring, and doesn't take nearly as long.

    Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
    07/05/04
    Eric D. Snider
    Eric D. Snider
    EricDSnider.com

    A clip package of interesting snapshots of landscapes and people whirled by fast enough to look like something meaningful, but essentially no more interesting that a neighbor's vacation video.

    Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
    07/04/04
    Bridget Byrne
    Bridget Byrne
    Boxoffice Magazine
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
    07/03/04
    St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
    07/03/04
    Boston Phoenix
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
    07/03/04
    AV Club
     
     
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