Amazon.com: One from the prefab feel-good section, about the relationship between what's now called a child-care-giver (and used to be called a nanny) and the young boy she looks after. In this case, the nanny is a Jamaican named Clara, played with appropriate warmth and dialect by Whoopi Goldberg--and her charge is played by Neil Patrick Harris, who would go on to become Doogie Howser. This one is strictly for the bleeding-heart set, with Clara as the all-knowing source of wisdom in a crazy world, enabling the go-go life of her yuppie employers, while she opens their little boy's eyes to how the other half lives, even teaching him Jamaican patois. This film doesn't just tug at the heartstrings--it attempts to yank them clean out of the chest. --Marshall Fine
"A Powerful Force" This film is more than it wants to be. The critic and cynic in me would gleefully join Mr. Marshall Fine in enumerating the many ways this film tries to manipulate its audience. First on my list would be the score by Dave Grusin which acts as a musical leash to pull the audience where they probably would have gone anyway. But that is where I will stop, because although the film does everything in its power to convince us it's the cinematic equivalent of Prozac, it betrays this image by containing subtle, powerful insights that set it apart from its saccharine ilk. There IS something different here, you just have to know where to look. Its not so much about what Clara does for David, a lot of his problems remain after her departure... What is special about "Clara's Heart" is that its about the indestructible bond that unites two people. Clara was there for David when he needed her but she did not, could not, and would not clap her hands together and say something to the effect of: "my work is done." In so many other films like this things are "set right" because of a character's influence. Not so here. Clara does not embark upon a project she can finish. What she does is bring David to a point where he can continue on his own, though he does not feel that way at the time. The "powerful force" that Clara speaks of is not diminished by time or space. A movie that celebrates that kind of bond (which absolutely CAN exist) does not deserve to be dismissed as easily as the rest.
Deserving the DVD Treatment Fine performances from Goldberg and Harris, it's their movie, set against a nice panorama of Baltimore. Harris's tune lingers to this day. Quinlan conveys very well both the sympathetic and unsympathetic aspects of her character, with Onkean well cast as the (largely) upstaged father. Understated turn by Spalding Gray, as well.
Long overdue for a remastered, widescreen DVD edition.
Didn't Want It To End! "Clara's Heart" is a film that once again showcases the great talent of Whoopi Goldberg. She can make us laugh, she can make us cry. In this film, we fall in love with her "Clara" in the short span of little more then 100 minutes and hate to have to leave her when it's time. We want to spend just a few more minutes with this wonderful person.
A family is overcome by the grief at the loss of their baby, who died of crib death. The parents are so self-absorbed with their own feelings, they can't see what is really important. Their pre-teen son, David(a young Neil Patrick Harris), is becoming lost in the shuffle. Enter one Clara Mayfield(Whoopi), a Jamaican caregiver who has come to lend a hand. She and David form a strong friendship. She vows, she will be there for him, as long as he needs her. Clara, though, has some deep rooted problems of her own. But they give each other, a love they both are missing from their lives, and their story is touching and heartwarming.
Kathleen Quinlan and Michael Ontkean round out the cast nicely as the parents who can't see past their own sorrow. The music by Dave Grusin adds greatly(as always) to this emotional story. Directed by Robert Mulligan, it is a film that will stay with you for quite sometime after the view.
An emotional ride, that you probably will want to stay on for a while.Recommended for those that like a good drama, and have plenty of Kleenex on hand! Enjoy....Laurie
NOW HERE IS AN EXCELLENT WHOPPI GOLDBERG VEHICLE. THIS MOVIE IS A REAL TEAR JERKER.WHOPPI PLAYS A JAMACIAN CARE GIVER.SHE IS TO TAKE CARE OF A LITTLE BOY.SHE HAS TO TEACH HIM HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES.THIS MOVIE IS NOT ONLY A TEAR-JERKER,IT WILL MELT YOUR HEART.THE BOY IS NEIL PATRICK HAUSER,DOOGIE HOUSER THIS MOVIE IS VERY SPECIAL.THE REVIEW APPLIES TO THE VHS EDITION,IF YOU CAN FIND IT. !!!SAY HOW ABOUT THE DVD RELEASE!!! UPDATE 7/11/07. THERE IS A EUROPEAN RELEASE ON REGION 2 THAT IS OFFICIAL! AND IS WIDESCREEN! YES ON WARNER BROTHERS IN GERMANY 7 32192111834 GOOD LUCK THANK YOU!
Love Whoopie This is another wonderful movie with Whoopie in it. She is a A+ actress & she only does good stories. If you like her you will love this movie. It is one of her best. If you don't have this movie buy it. You won't be disappointed. Love you Whoopie.
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