The Hasty Heart (1949)

Touches You

Absolutely the worst movie.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Directed by Vincent Sherman, with a screenplay by Ranald MacDougall that was based on the play by John Patrick, this slightly above average drama features the Academy Award nominated Best Actor performance by Richard Todd (his only) and what has to be one of best performances ever given by actor Ronald Reagan as well. Patricia Neal, in only her third film (and second with Reagan), exhibits the talent that would later earn her a Best Actress Oscar (out of two such nominations).The rest of the cast is solid, if unrecognizable and forgettable except for Orlando Martins, whose role is unfortunately so necessarily one dimensional that it could be considered racist. Several nationalist prejudices (e.g. stereotypes) are discussed and/or exploited, though the fact that they ring true and/or make this story more genuine will be lost on those who tend to look for harm instead of accepting or learning from the very real cultural differences which exist.Todd plays a disagreeable Scot who was injured during the last days of World War II in Burma. Though he's been patched up, he's also dying from a pending kidney failure, a fact that's kept from him but shared with the other soldiers (like Yank, Reagan) in the recovery ward, and their compassionate nurse (Neal). The hospital's commanding officer (Anthony Nicholls as Lieutenant Colonel Dunn) and Sister Parker (Neal) ask these others to make friends with this misfit Corporal Lachlan MacLachlan (later nicknamed 'Lachie'; Todd) to make his last days as happy as possible. Howard Crawford plays Tommy, a Brit from London, Ralph Michael plays Kiwi (not Kini?), a bearded New Zealander, and John Sherman plays the Australian dubbed Digger; these non-PC nicknames were ostensibly given to them by the orderly (Alfred Bass), and accepted by the others (without protest, as these were less sensitive times). Martins plays a local native, called Blossom, the only English word Yank has taught him.Yank has an earned bias against persons from Scotland per his Scottish grandfather, but learned a technique of reciting the books of the Bible (Old Testament) to keep himself in control of his emotions. In fact, he is the one (other than the Sister) who ultimately leads the others to keep trying (e.g. to be more tolerant) to befriend Lachie who, from the very first, will accept no assistance from the others for not wanted to be in any man's debt. He refuses any kindness whatsoever, and gives none himself. Encouraged by the Sister, the others try to be friendly but are quickly frustrated in their efforts by the Scot's belligerent nature. They all but give up, including the Sister, until she learns that it's Lachie's birthday and the men each give him a piece of what adds up to be his first kilt (the inevitable question and mystery as to what a Scotsman wears under such garb is fodder for a couple humorous scenes). The gift brings tears to the Scot's eyes and prompts his transformation into someone who can't stop talking for more than a week with his newfound friends, even about politics (there are some surreal moments in this movie, when one considers that Reagan went on to become the 40th President of the United States!).But when talk of going home begins, Lachie finds the others are uncomfortable, and not as accepting of his invitations to come home with him for a visit. Pondering this one evening leads to an intimate moment with the Sister, she even kisses him (of her own free will); he later proposes and she accepts. However, Lt. Col. Dunn then offers him a plane ride home, which doesn't make sense to Lachie until he's told of his fatal condition, and the fact that the others knew of it. Lachie, who'd had a rough childhood as a foundling, returns to his distrusting self and lashes out at his former comrades. But, once again, Yank is responsible for leading the others, and Lachie, to a reconciliation of friends, with help from innocent Blossom. The Scot will not die friendless.

A poignant film dealing with relationships in crisis.Richard Todd gave an absolutely fabulous performance as the dying soldier who does not know his fate. Totally alone in the world with a terrible attitude, the film deals with his coming to realize that there is kindness in the world. Naturally, this is put to the test when he discovers that he is terminally ill.Ronald Reagan is excellent as the American soldier who works with the others in the Burma Hospital to bring happiness to the Scot. (Todd)Todd received a best actor nomination for his performance. He certainly gave winner Broderick Crawford ("All the King's Men") a run for his money.This is really an outstanding film dealing with human kindness during such adversity.Patricia Neals shows her mettle as the nurse who went the extra mile for the Scot.

"The Hasty Heart" (1949) was directed by Vincent Sherman. The cast included Ronald Reagan, Patricia Neal and Richard Todd. The supporting cast brought so much emotion to the movie. They were all mostly portraying patients in a jungle hospital during WWII. Orlando Martins was in a role where he had no lines. He had to use actions and expressions to get his point across. He succeeded wonderfully.Lachie MacLachlin (Todd) wasn't interested in friends. His goal was to leave the war behind. He'd return to Scotland...to his only friend...to his land. Otherwise he had nobody. Because Lachie had been in such pain it was discovered his wounds were worse than thought. He was dying. His bunkmates were encouraged, by their nurse (Neal), to not leave Lachie to die alone. It was difficult for any of them to care, but Yank (Reagan), finally, agreed to try.Not knowing his precarious position, Lachie was hard, standoffish, uncaring towards those who offer their friendships. Then, still not knowing, he softened. They've reached out and he started to reach back. Then everything fell apart. The secret blew up.What next? Buy stock in a tissue company before you find out.

"The Hasty Heart" is one of the most effective tearjerkers I know of. In a way, I guess, it could be called manipulative: Having a character we know from the start to be terminally ill is pretty much a sure thing. But this movie earns all its tears.Richard Todd gives a superb performance as the Scottish soldier who is afraid of intimacy. Why he didn't win an Academy Award is a mystery. His performance is as brave as he and the other characters in the movie are portrayed as being.Patricia Neal, too, is excellent. She is a great favorite of mine but that's irrelevant: had she never made another movie, her Sister Parker would be a knockout in American movie history. (Thankfully, she did make many more.) The supporting cast is superb. However, I don't care for Ronald Reagan in his important role. This has nothing to do with politics and he often could be very good. But he doesn't seem to me to fit in with the ensemble -- and this is very much an ensemble piece.Pat O'Brien would have been much better, but he was too old. William Holden would have been right too, but he was too young.Several things in the movie are outdated. The slight condescension toward the black character, Blossom, was of its time. It makes one cringe a little now. It's also sort of funny to see so many people in a hospital unit smoking cigarettes. Thankfully, that's behind us too, at least as a way for sick people to feel better.Vincent Sherman's directing is possibly his best. And he was a fine director. The story is simple, direct, and heartbreaking. And Todd is a marvel -- truly a marvel.