PLAY us, PAUSE, OR STOP? review of Netflix’s new romance movie starring Sofia Carson.
Should you star in Netflix’s new romantic movie Purple Hearts? Here’s your rundown of new Netflix movies and why you should watch them.
Despite their many differences, Cassie, a struggling singer-songwriter, and Luke, a troubled Marine, agree to marry solely for military benefits. But when tragedy strikes, the line between real and pretend begins to blur.
Sofia Carson leads the cast as Cassie (Descendants, Feel The Beat) and Nicholas Galitzine stars as Luke (Cinderella, High Strung).
Ever since her days on Disney’s Descendants, Sofia Carson has been looking for things to build on her breakout. Over the past few years, Netflix has been trying to make that dream a reality.
In 2020, Netflix tapped her to star in Feel the Beat, a film about a small-town girl turned broadway dancer who has to move home after an unfortunate audition derails her career. He reluctantly teaches dance to a group of misfit kids and leads them to dance competition glory. While not completely successful, the film did not put Carson into the status of a leading role and show off her skills as a dancer and performer; But will Carson want to shed his Disney background even more by setting his sights on something more mature and dramatic?
Produced by Carson herself, she steps into the role of Cassie, a bartender/waitress struggling to get her singing career off the ground and struggling to control her medical problems. Sounds like the perfect mix to showcase Carson’s talents beyond acting and move him into more serious drama, right? While on paper that sentiment is true, in execution however, his performance shows why he has not received this type of opportunity until now. Like many characters she has portrayed over the years, Carson’s Cassie seems to lack emotional depth and bothers her more with anger & dour more than developing the range that would be warranted to handle the myriad of emotional fallouts that occur in this film. (And while I’m a humble movie critic, I can’t say too impressed with her chops as a singer either. You can put that breathy version of “Sweet Caroline” right in the trash.)
As for the movie itself, Purple Hearts does Carson little favors in terms of overwrought plot construction and tired dialogue that spends half the time coming directly from the 24 News Network teleprompter.
Purple Heart. (L to R) Ethan Estrada as Max, Sofia Carson as Cassie in Purple Hearts. Cr. Batu Hopper/Netflix © 2022.
In the first 15 minutes, we have to deal with the life balance of a struggling musician, the mansplaining of the weakness of liberal talking points, marriage appeals for health insurance, the affordability (or lack thereof) of medical treatment in the US. for gigs / hospitality workers, the perils of addiction and dealers therein, & a potential eviction. What fertile ground for romance to flourish!
Once the arrangements (illegal & potentially immoral) have been set for our lead to Wed, the film devolves into a ping pong of the multitude of issues they have brought to the table from the opening scene. Longtime TV director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum creates an atmosphere where romance is only derived from peril (diabetic shock, injuries sustained in war, potential prison) and peril is at every turn.
At one point in the film, we witness the results of the home invasion, medical episode, & street fight behind the scenes. When wartime is the lesser part of the drama, you know you have a tough movie to swallow.
Finally, we have an unearned romance for two spectacularly flawed people that ends in familiar territory for most TV movie dramas.
While this may be a dining pleasure for some, I hope fans of the genre will have a more discerning taste (in film…and music).
Watch Purple Hearts on Netflix if you like
Best Part of Purple Hearts on Netflix
Purple Heart. (L to R) Sofia Carson as Cassie, Nicholas Galitzine as Luke in Purple Hearts. Cr. Batu Hopper/Netflix © 2022.
Best Quote from Purple Hearts
In order to defend his wife, his family, & own dignity, a hobbling Luke beats the crap out of his former drug dealer / loan shark in the parking garage, including hitting him with his cane & amp; unload the gun like he’s Jason Bourne! Combat training has done him well!
“So we’re good enough to fight your ass, but not good enough to touch it?” – Armando This may interest you : New on Netflix: An Advertising-Supported Level.
Purple Hearts Trivia
Awwwww. That character is full of out-of-line / out-of-touch lines like that throughout the movie. This may interest you : Netflix feature exec Jason Spingarn-Koff is leaving.
MVP of the Movie
The four original songs for the film were written by Sofia Carson & Justin Tranter, songwriter behind hits for Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, & Selena Gomez. On the same subject : For Netflix, it’s a bad idea to release the ‘Knives Out’ sequel in theaters: here’s why.
Jacobs was cast (IT: Chapters 1 & 2, “Hawaii Five-O”) as Frankie.
Watch Purple Hearts on Netflix if you like
PLAY, PAUSE, OR STOP?
One of the only characters who doesn’t speak in the 24 news cycle talking points throughout the film, Frankie is a stand-up friend to both Cassie and Luke and a breath of fresh air in the early part of the film. While his character’s arc may not end optimally, his presence brings out the best in everyone else around him and does not play into toxic stereotypes.
I have no problem with romance or drama around the military (Top Gun: Maverick! Some Good Men! Officer and a Gentleman!), but this is not worth it.
