The Way It Was in ‘Hearts’

As an executive producer of “Cheatin’ Hearts,” I have got to defend not only this film but all other carefully made, low-budget independent films that are the hopes and dreams of their totally committed writer-directors (“ ‘Cheatin’ Hearts’: An Achy Breaky Story,” July 9). Defend them from reviewers that run amok over newsprint.

This particular film was labeled as “country cornball” by Peter Rainer, as if there were something more countrified about it than the location. Maybe if he had just said corny I wouldn’t be so upset. Country-Western does play on the local stations and in the water hole in this film.

I must admit that when Tri-Mark releasing executives chose to change the title from “Paper Hearts,” it was probably to include the current Western dance aficionados into their release audience. Not my taste in reasoning, but it doesn’t change the fact that this film was a very accurate and personal re-enactment of director Rod McCall’s relationship with his parents’ divorce while growing up in a New Mexico town of 180 people.

There were several hundred films submitted to the Sundance Film Festival this year, and McCall’s picture was one of 17 picked for first-time directors. I believe that we should all hold some respect for developing writer-filmmakers and their courage in the face of the seeming impossibility of getting a film done well and on a shoestring in today’s economy.

Women seem to love this gentle film. Is it possible a woman should have been allowed to write the review?

JAMES BROLIN

Jambrofilm Limited

Santa Monica