Maxine Connors (Sigourney Weaver) and daughter Paige (Jennifer Love Hewitt) are a successful con-artist double act. Scheming mom Maxine lures rich men to the altar only to set up a seduction via her daughter that guarantees a hefty divorce settlement a little time later. Some debts to clear, Maxine fixes well-intentioned billionaire William Tensy (Gene Hackman) in her sights, which Paige insists will be her last job. Complications ensue when Paige falls in love for real with a lowly bartender (Jason Lee) and washes her hands of the project, forcing Maxine to somehow deal with this sticky situation and come to terms with her daughter’s real emotional agenda. Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ray Liotta, Gene Hackman
Directed by: David Mirkin
Runtime: 123 minutes
Studio: MGM
Amazon USAmazon UKIMDBReview: Heartbreakers
I’ve always worried I’d be an easy victim of a hustler or con artist but when it comes to the leading ladies in Heartbreakers I should be safe as I’m neither rich and am also married. Max (Sigourney Weaver) and Page Connors (Jennifer Love Hewitt) are the mother and daughter team that specialise in finding rich men and taking a large chunk of their wealth away. Max works her charms to marry them within three months of meeting and manages to avoid consummating the union before catching them about to commit adultery with Page. A swift divorce follows and with it a massive pay out. The latest victim is Dean (Ray Liotta) who is left sexually frustrated on his wedding night and cannot resist his sexy secretary Wendy, who happens to be Page. Following this latest job Page wants to go it alone but when the IRS catch up with them both women are faced with a hefty tax bill and the need for one final big score before going their separate ways.
Following a lengthy debate they settle on rich widower William Tensy (Gene Hackman) but while Max is trying to woo the aging widower, Page becomes acquainted with bar owner Jack (Jason Lee). Page does her best to be dismissive of Jack’s advances but when she discovers he is sitting on a substantial profit she warms to him. While Max’s advances towards William have a few speed bumps and involve statues with large penises, Page finds herself falling for Jack, though she won’t admit it. Will her feelings for him ruin the con or will she be able to get William’s money and then leave with her mother? If that’s not a big enough problem the two women have to contend with Dean who is determined to find Max and rekindle their love affair.
I wasn’t sure what I’d make of Heartbreakers but it turned out to be really good. While there were not many laugh out loud moments, the story is well done, the script decent and even though the ending is somewhat predictable it’s still an apt denouement. If you’re looking for a decent date movie you’ll find this one worth your time.
Verdict: 4/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
About the Author:
I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.
David M. Brown – who has written 779 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.
