Harrison Ford and Kristin Scott Thomas in "Random Hearts."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, Jack gives this film a: Stars: Harrison Ford and Kristin Scott Thomas Director: Sydney Pollack Rated: R, with profanity, sex and violence Length: 131 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(Oct. 8, 1999) -- It's an understatement to say that Dutch Van Den Broeck (Harrison Ford) and Kay Chandler (Kristin Scott Thomas) don't meet under the best of circumstances.

They're brought together in the aftermath of a tragic plane crash in which their spouses are killed. Shockingly, they discover that the spouses were having an affair -- and the crash occurred en route to a Miami tryst.

Random Hearts is the latest romantic drama from director Sydney Pollack, whose films The Way We Were and Out of Africa have given him a reputation for exploring love stories between couples beset with obstacles. Here he's created an intriguing character study of lovers who are in over their heads emotionally.

Rugged Washington, D.C., cop Dutch and patrician New Hampshire congresswoman Kay have little in common beyond feelings of grief and anger, loss and betrayal. Kay's situation is complicated by her re-election campaign; Dutch is shocked and ashamed -- as a professional investigator, he should have known about the affair.

Obviously it's not an ideal time for them to develop a relationship, but that's what happens. However, what throws them together is just as likely to tear them apart.

The gorgeously photographed film features strong performances. British-born Thomas (The English Patient, The Horse Whisperer) effectively manages the American accent and carries herself with the assured confidence of a skillful, intelligent politician.

Ford projects a painful vulnerability and emotional confusion he hasn't previously explored on film. His portrait of Dutch is touching, even a little sad.

At 131 minutes, the solemnly paced Random Hearts starts with a long set-up: The central couple doesn't even meet for 45 minutes.

An attempt to enliven the film with Dutch's most recent police case brings a bit of extraneous cops-and-robbers into the story, though it does help define his character a little.

Still, Random Hearts is a classy, handsomely mounted look at two damaged individuals who look for answers -- and find each other instead.