Heartland, 2026.
Written and Directed by Shana Feste.
Starring Jessica Chastain, Garrett Hedlund, Carter Faith, Ross Lynch, Jennifer Nettles, Hill Harper, Norbert Leo Butz, John Hawkes, and Ben Dickey.
SYNOPSIS:
Former country star Misty Jones leaves seclusion to search for her missing niece, an emerging musician, in Nashville. Her investigation exposes dark secrets and forces her to face her own past.
Writer/director Shana Feste has an axe to grind against the Nashville music scene with Heartland. The problem is that all that contempt is funneled through a clunky mystery thriller that offers cheap thrills rather than anything genuinely insightful or enlightening about the troubles of young fame in country music.
At the center of it all is Jessica Chastain going for broke as a former country star named Misty Jones, retired and now living on the fringe, tending to an outrageous number of rescue dogs until her brother beckons her to visit, stressed and explaining that his daughter, Charlie Heart (because this is the kind of film where the title has multiple corny meanings), a young country star played by the real deal in Faith Carter, has gone missing.
Charlie has been a rebellious soul for years and has caused many PR disasters, so it’s possible this is just another case of acting out, but her dad is certain this is different, especially since a parasocial fan had been serially harassing her. Nevertheless, he pleads with Misty to head to Nashville, a place that she has nothing but disdain for, to investigate. He can’t do this himself because, for starters, there wouldn’t be a movie, but also because his wife has cancer, which is something that never comes up again; it’s a bit of a tasteless plot device, as the filmmakers could have chosen quite literally any other reason to keep him at home, but that is the least of the problems here.
As Misty navigates old grudges between other once popular singers, the music scene (which includes everything from Charlie’s agent, played by Garrett Hedlund, to her singer boyfriend played by Ross Lynch) paying a visit to the stalker’s house, questionable police behavior, and the possibility that this might be a murder case, there is a clear push-pull and love-hate relationship toward the scene and fame from the filmmaker. Even before the secrets come to light (which, by the way, isn’t limited to Nashville or the industry, but also to Misty herself keeping one from the public), it is shown as a seedy place despite all the superstardom. However, the film still shows a love for the music itself, with multiple song performances, including one by Jessica Chastain herself. It’s also loaded with licensed country music.
What’s happening is dark, if not unfortunately uncommon in various entertainment industries, but the presentation and depiction all feel sanitized and without any edge, so as to keep the proceedings a mystery that moves and one that is never involving despite the specificity of its setting. There are also a handful of preposterous elements, especially when Charlie is properly introduced into the story. It’s a film you think will have something to say, but it mostly just plays out each scenario for, as mentioned, cheap excitement that Jessica Chastain tears through, as if a big performance is the only thing that might save this movie. Not even she can save Heartland.
It is also a plot-heavy movie built on doling out big reveals every 15 minutes or so, some of which include Misty’s past vices at the peak of her career, ranging from alcoholism and more while dating Clark (John Hawkes). Perhaps there is an interesting character to explore here, but it is mostly lost, relying on Jessica Chastain chewing the scenery in every scene, whether by cursing someone out, slashing a tire, or walking into obvious betrayals. The justifiable anger toward the Nashville music scene throughout is palpable without losing that love for the music, but all Heartland amounts to is a dopey derivative thriller.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★
Robert Kojder
