heartbreakers
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“Heartbreakers” is a romantic comedy film released in 2001. Directed by David Mirkin, the movie stars Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt as a mother-daughter duo involved in an elaborate conning scheme.

The film follows Max (Sigourney Weaver) and Page (Jennifer Love Hewitt), a pair of skilled con artists who specialize in marrying wealthy men and then divorcing them for hefty settlements. Max plays the seductive, alluring wife, while Page poses as her daughter and works to charm the unsuspecting victims. Their well-orchestrated scheme takes them from one luxurious location to another as they set their sights on new targets.

However, their plans take an unexpected turn when they target billionaire tobacco tycoon William B. Tensy (Gene Hackman). In the midst of executing their con, Page finds herself genuinely falling for a bartender named Jack (Jason Lee), leading to a series of complications and emotional conflicts within the team.

As the story unfolds, Max and Page must navigate their personal feelings and reconcile their criminal activities with the desires for a genuine connection and a chance at real love. The film blends elements of romance, comedy, and caper, providing a light-hearted and entertaining experience for viewers.

“Heartbreakers” received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the chemistry between the lead actresses and the film’s witty dialogue. The performances of Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and the supporting cast were highlighted as strengths, contributing to the film’s overall charm.

With its mix of humor, romance, and clever cons, “Heartbreakers” offers an entertaining ride as Max and Page navigate the intricate world of love and deception.

Cast

The main cast of “Heartbreakers” includes:

  1. Sigourney Weaver as Max Conners: Sigourney Weaver portrays Max, the experienced and cunning con artist who leads the mother-daughter duo. She is skilled in seduction and manipulation, using her charm to marry and scam wealthy men.
  2. Jennifer Love Hewitt as Page Conners: Jennifer Love Hewitt plays Page, Max’s daughter and partner in crime. She assists in the cons, posing as Max’s daughter and helping to execute their schemes. Page starts to question her lifestyle when she falls for a bartender named Jack.
  3. Gene Hackman as William B. Tensy: Gene Hackman portrays William B. Tensy, a billionaire tobacco tycoon who becomes the target of Max and Page’s con. He is unsuspecting and falls for Max’s charms, unaware of the ulterior motives behind their marriage.
  4. Jason Lee as Jack Withrowe: Jason Lee plays Jack, a kind-hearted bartender who catches Page’s attention and becomes involved in the con. He develops genuine feelings for Page, adding a romantic twist to the story.
  5. Ray Liotta as Dean Cumanno: Ray Liotta portrays Dean, an FBI agent who becomes suspicious of Max and Page’s activities. He investigates their cons and tries to uncover their true intentions.
  6. Anne Bancroft as Gloria Vogal: Anne Bancroft plays Gloria, a wealthy widow targeted by Max and Page in one of their cons. She falls for Max’s seduction but ultimately becomes a formidable opponent.

These are the main cast members who played significant roles in “Heartbreakers.” The film also features supporting actors such as Jeffrey Jones, Nora Dunn, and Ricky Jay, who contribute to the comedic and dramatic elements of the story.

Production

“Heartbreakers” is a romantic comedy film that was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and Davis Entertainment. Here are some details about the production:

  1. Director: The film was directed by David Mirkin, known for his work on movies like “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion” and TV series like “The Simpsons” and “Newhart.”
  2. Screenplay: The screenplay for “Heartbreakers” was written by Robert Dunn and Paul Guay. Guay is also known for co-writing the screenplay for the hit comedy film “Liar Liar.”
  3. Filming Locations: The movie was primarily filmed in various locations in California, including Los Angeles and Palm Springs. These locations were chosen to provide the glamorous and upscale settings that complemented the story of con artists targeting wealthy individuals.
  4. Release: “Heartbreakers” was released in theaters on March 23, 2001, in the United States. It had its premiere at the Mann Village Theater in Westwood, Los Angeles.
  5. Production Design: The film’s production design was led by James Bissell, who created the stylish and opulent sets that reflected the luxurious lifestyle of the characters.
  6. Music: The film’s music was composed by John Debney, known for his work on various films such as “The Princess Diaries” and “Elf.” The soundtrack included a mix of original score and popular songs, adding to the overall tone and atmosphere of the film.

“Heartbreakers” aimed to capture the essence of a romantic comedy while incorporating elements of caper and deception. The production team worked to create a visually appealing and engaging experience for audiences, blending humor, romance, and a touch of glamour.

Reviews

“Heartbreakers” received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. Here’s an overview of the critical reception:

  1. Positive Reviews: Many reviewers praised the performances of the lead actresses, Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt, as well as the chemistry between them. Critics commended Weaver’s comedic timing and Hewitt’s charm, noting that they elevated the material and made the film enjoyable to watch.
  2. Humor and Entertainment Value: The film’s comedic elements were generally well-received. Critics appreciated the witty dialogue, humorous situations, and lighthearted tone, noting that the movie succeeded in delivering laughs and providing an entertaining experience.
  3. Plot Execution and Direction: Some reviewers found the film’s caper storyline to be fun and engaging, praising the director David Mirkin for maintaining a good pace and incorporating twists and turns into the plot. The film’s mix of romance and comedy was seen as a strength.
  4. Lack of Depth and Predictability: However, some critics felt that the film fell short in terms of originality and depth. They found the story formulaic and predictable, with characters and plot developments that didn’t offer much surprise or complexity.
  5. Supporting Cast: While Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt received praise, some reviewers felt that the supporting cast, including Gene Hackman and Jason Lee, was underutilized or didn’t have enough depth to their characters.

Overall, “Heartbreakers” was generally seen as an enjoyable romantic comedy with strong performances from its lead actresses. While it didn’t necessarily break new ground in the genre, it provided humor and entertainment for those looking for a light-hearted and fun film experience. It’s worth noting that individual opinions may vary, and personal tastes play a significant role in how the film is perceived.

Where are they now?

Here’s an update on some of the main cast members of “Heartbreakers” and their recent projects as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021:

  1. Sigourney Weaver: Sigourney Weaver has continued to have a successful acting career. She has appeared in various films, including “Avatar,” “The Cabin in the Woods,” and “A Monster Calls.” She has also appeared in TV series such as “Political Animals” and “The Defenders.” Weaver remains an acclaimed and respected actress in the industry.
  2. Jennifer Love Hewitt: After “Heartbreakers,” Jennifer Love Hewitt has remained active in both television and film. She starred in the television series “Ghost Whisperer” and appeared in shows like “The Client List” and “9-1-1.” Hewitt has also released music albums and continued to pursue her singing career.
  3. Gene Hackman: Following “Heartbreakers,” Gene Hackman announced his retirement from acting in 2004. Since then, he has largely stayed away from the industry and focused on other interests, such as writing novels. Hackman’s last film appearance was in “Welcome to Mooseport” in 2004.
  4. Jason Lee: Jason Lee has had a successful career in both film and television. He appeared in the TV series “My Name Is Earl,” for which he received critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination. Lee has also starred in films such as “Almost Famous,” “Vanilla Sky,” and the “Alvin and the Chipmunks” series.
  5. Ray Liotta: Ray Liotta has continued to act in a variety of film and television projects. He has appeared in movies like “Goodfellas,” “Identity,” and “The Place Beyond the Pines.” Liotta has also had roles in TV series such as “Shades of Blue” and “Muppets Now.”

These updates reflect the actors’ activities up until September 2021, and it’s possible that there have been further developments or projects involving them since then.

Fun facts

Here are some fun facts about the film “Heartbreakers”:

  1. Originally Titled “Mona Lisa”: The film was initially titled “Mona Lisa” during its early development stages. However, the title was changed to “Heartbreakers” before its release.
  2. Casting Change: Originally, Meg Ryan was considered for the role of Page Conners, which eventually went to Jennifer Love Hewitt. However, Ryan dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.
  3. Real-Life Mother-Daughter Duo: Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt played a mother-daughter duo in the film, and interestingly, they share the same birth date, October 18, although they were born in different years.
  4. Homage to “To Catch a Thief”: The film pays homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film “To Catch a Thief” (1955). In “Heartbreakers,” Sigourney Weaver’s character, Max, watches the film on television and takes inspiration from Grace Kelly’s character.
  5. Cameo by Sarah Silverman: Comedian and actress Sarah Silverman makes a brief cameo appearance in “Heartbreakers.” She portrays a lawyer who helps Max and Page with their cons.
  6. Filming Locations: While the film is set in various upscale locations, including Palm Beach, Florida, the majority of the filming actually took place in California. The opulent interiors and exteriors were recreated in California to capture the luxurious settings of the story.

These fun facts provide some interesting behind-the-scenes tidbits about “Heartbreakers” and add to the trivia surrounding the film.

Box office

“Heartbreakers” had a successful box office run. Released on March 23, 2001, the film performed well commercially. Here are some details regarding its box office performance:

  1. Opening Weekend: During its opening weekend in the United States, “Heartbreakers” grossed approximately $11.8 million. This debut placed it at number two in the box office rankings for that weekend.
  2. Domestic Box Office: The film went on to accumulate a total domestic box office gross of around $40.3 million. It enjoyed a steady run in theaters, attracting audiences with its mix of romance and comedy.
  3. International Box Office: In addition to its domestic success, “Heartbreakers” also performed reasonably well internationally. The film garnered around $60.4 million from international markets, bringing its worldwide box office total to approximately $100.7 million.

Overall, “Heartbreakers” achieved commercial success, surpassing its production budget. Its box office performance demonstrated its appeal to audiences, combining the star power of its cast with a blend of romance, comedy, and caper elements.

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