by RICHARD ALAN DUNKLE

Lonely Hearts opened to limited release
April 13, 2007.
Rated: R
Running Time: 1 hr 48 mins
Writer/Director: Todd Robinson
Producers: Boaz Davidson, Holly Wiersma
Cast: John Travolta, James Gandolfini, Jared Leto, Salma Hayek, Scott Caan, Laura Dern

The title of the film speaks volumes in this abrasive crime drama. The opening sequence depicts the meticulous preparation and culmination of one woman’s suicide, instantly setting up the haunted past of her husband Elmer C. Robinson, a burned-out detective brilliantly portrayed by John Travolta.

Robinson is a former decorated homicide investigator who now mans a desk and has become cannon fodder for the hushed ramblings of ambitious young cops like Detective Reilly (Scott Caan). Bridging the gap between Reilly and Robinson is Detective Charles Hildebrandt (James Gandolfini), Robinson’s best friend and partner, who is both unrestrained conscience to Robinson and ego-checking realist to Reilly. The banter between these three cops is pitch perfect genius. Gandolfini seamlessly transitions between sarcasm-spewing veteran cop and kindly hearted loyal friend.

When Hildebrandt and Reilly are called to the site of a suspicious suicide, Robinson—who was in Hildebrandt’s car at the time—finds a woman dead in her bathtub. This vision torments Robinson, reminding him of his own wife’s grisly suicide. A quick snapshot of the victim’s life reveals she is a “lonely heart,” a woman targeted by con artists for her money and desire to be loved. Robinson, impassioned to bring the man responsible to justice, leaves his desk job and begins an emotionally charged investigation into Ray, an amorous charmer behind the love letters our victim had been receiving for several months.

When we meet Ray Fernandez (Jared Leto), we learn quickly that he has been in the Lonely Hearts business for quite some time. And he’s good at it. Not a killer at first, Ray simply woos women out of their money with his bright smile, quick wit and promise of love. But when Ray meets Martha Beck (Salma Hayek), a con artist in her own right, the instant connection is palpable and a deadly union is formed.

Ray and Martha’s plan is perfect, or so they think. Ray pretends to fall in love with lonely women and travels across the country to live with them until they sign their money away while Martha tags along under the guise of Ray’s overly protective sister. Unfortunately, what Martha is truly protective of is Ray’s affection. A fit of jealousy forces the con artists to change plans when Martha blows out the brains of one of Ray’s lovers.

It is Martha’s control over Ray that ultimately proves the downfall for this ill-fated couple. As Robinson’s team tracks the trail of Ray’s letters, we see the gradual and inevitable devolution of Martha as she embeds her nails deeper into Ray’s heart. Salma Hayek is fantastic as the whimsical yet deranged enchantress who is at one point performing oral sex on a police officer while Ray watches in order to prevent the cop from running their plates, and at the next urging Ray to kill a woman he has impregnated during the course of the “job” because no one will ever love him like Martha does.

The seemingly fantastical actions of this murderous couple—including asking a young child “what’s wrong” right after killing her mother—seem almost unbelievable at moments, until you’re reminded that this film is based on the true Lonely Hearts Killers who murdered over a dozen innocent victims in the 1940s. In fact, writer/director Todd Robinson is the grandson of the real Elmer C. Robinson who investigated the murders, and has crafted a genuine story of heartache, betrayal and truth that showcases the brutality of these criminal psychotics, and the sick love that kept them together.

Jared Leto has come a long way since his B-drama days, skillfully portraying a man who knows he isn’t right in the head, but still wishes for a normal life. In the ultimate showdown between Martha’s desires and Ray’s conscience, the victor is not apparent until the last possible moment, and the outcome is shockingly heart wrenching. A lesser team of actors wouldn’t have been able to pull off the nuances of fear, love, anger, passion and, ultimately, resignation, that both Leto and Hayek master.

Ultimately, Lonely Hearts is a story of love in many forms. It is the story of the psychotic love between Martha and Ray, but also of Robinson’s suffering due to his wife’s suicide. It is about new love as Robinson attempts to move on with the help of a fellow cop (Laura Dern), and the love of family as Robinson attempts to shield his new relationship from his hurting son. And, finally, it is about the love of a grandfather, whom writer/director Todd Robinson honors with this well-envisioned, impassioned piece of cinematic craftsmanship that clearly showcases Robinson’s personal investment and dedication to telling his grandfather’s story the way it was meant to be told: with heart.