Heartsounds is a 1984 American drama television film directed by Glenn Jordan and written by Fay Kanin, based on the book Heartsounds: The Story of a Love and Loss by Martha Weinman Lear. It stars Mary Tyler Moore and James Garner, with Sam Wanamaker, Wendy Crewson, David Gardner, and Carl Marotte in supporting roles. Produced by Embassy Television, the film premiered on ABC on September 30, 1984, as part of the anthology series ABC Theater.
Heartsounds received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations: Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special, Outstanding Lead Actor for Garner, and Outstanding Lead Actress for Moore. The film was honored with the Peabody Award to ABC Theater, while Garner was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his performance.
Plot
New York urologist Harold Lear gets a taste of his own medicine when he suffers a heart attack and is confronted with a medical institution which does not seem equipped to help. Wife Martha steps in to fight the system and get a measure of service and compassion. Ultimately the greatest battle is not waged against the medical profession, however, but against Lear's own failing body and his own mortal fears.
Cast
- Mary Tyler Moore as Martha Weinman Lear
- James Garner as Harold Lear
- Sam Wanamaker as Moe Silverman
- Wendy Crewson as Judy
- David Gardner as Barney Knapp
- Carl Marotte as Michael
- Wayne Best as Intern / Lover
- Anthony Bishop as Proprietor
- David Bolt as Psychoanalyst
- David Clement as Dr. Bell
- Beverly Cooper as Nurse Lark
- Eve Crawford as Ruth Nathanson
- Sandy Crawley as Chief Resident
- Marvin Goldhar as Mr. Weinman
- Lynne Gorman as Mrs. Bailey
- Patricia Hamilton as Flo
- Tom Harvey as Walter Simon
- Meg Hogarth as Estelle
- Cec Linder as Dr. Lorber
- Doris Petrie as Mrs. Weinman
- Steve Petrie as Chet
- Maida Rogerson as Annie
- Michael J. Reynolds as Dr. Roberts
- Françoise Vallée as The Neurologist
- Paul Vincent as Fred, The Doorman
- Jimmy Williams as Carl (credited as Jim Williams)
- George E. Zeeman as Dr. Gross (credited as George Zeeman)
Production
Veteran television producer Norman Lear, who was Harold Lear's cousin, produced the film, initially offering the lead role to Paul Newman in anticipation of a theatrical release. Uneasy about the prospect of portraying an infirm and moribund character, Newman declined to participate. Garner, however, had been in and out of hospitals from the age of five and had no reservations about accepting the role.
According to The Washington Post, author Martha Weinman Lear said: "I'm thrilled by the casting" and "I'm extremely lucky to have landed in the care of all these people… The screenplay is incredibly faithful to the spirit and substance of the book."
Reception
Critical response
The New York Times' television critic John J. O'Connor wrote that "the film packs something of the wallop of a powerful and unblinking documentary" and lauded the performances of Moore and Garner. The Peabody Awards noted that "both Moore and Garner turn in captivating performances and take full advantage of a lean and emotionally powerful script."
In the wake of his "frighteningly convincing" performance, Garner was nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award, with Moore also nominated for an Emmy.
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 42nd Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film | James Garner | Nominated | |
| 45th Peabody Awards | ABC | Won | |||
| 1st TCA Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials | Heartsounds | Nominated | ||
| 37th Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special | Norman Lear Fay Kanin Fern Field |
Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special | James Garner | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special | Mary Tyler Moore | Nominated | |||
| 1st Artios Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Mini-Series or Movie of the Week Casting | Eve Brandstein | Nominated |
