Filmed in Spokane: Lonely Hearts / Home of the Brave

I recently learned that the film Lonely Hearts like Home of the Brave was partly filmed in Spokane, my hometown.

In the beginning of Lonely Hearts there are several scenes that are filmed in the beautifully remodeled Davenport Hotel. It is a film that was based on a true story about a couple (played by Jared Leto and Salma Hayek) called “The Lonely Hearts Killers” who preyed on lonely women through personal ads. John Travolta and James Gandolfini play the obsessed cops who finally chase them down and bring them to justice. I don’t think it was exceptional in any way, but it has a good cast and has all the set details right that add to the atmosphere of the piece. All in all, it’s an enjoyable crime story.

Home of the Brave was completely filmed in Spokane and I could recognize most of the set locations. Since this is the first Iraq story to be filmed expectations were high. Unfortunately they were not met in the film. I think the opening scenes set in Iraq were among the best in the film. The stories about the soldiers’ return to civilian life with mental and physical battle scars comes across as cliched, heavy handed, and melodramatic. It might have turned out alright if the writer showed some restraint in creating the specific problems of the soldiers. Some of their reactions seem very unbelievable and unlikely. Samuel Jackson plays a troubled doctor who turns to the bottle and trouble relating to his son and civilian life after returning. 50 Cent is a soldier whose girlfriend is estranged from him and who also acts out violently in his return to civilian life. It is interesting that there are so many black actors in this film, since Spokane is very white I heard that only 3% of the population is black. (50 Cent notoriously dissed Spokane as being a boring place with nothing to do). The storyline about the soldier played by Tommy Yates is the most effective and the least overdramatic one in the film, Jessica Biel’s story isn’t as overblown as the others, but clichéd nonetheless. I'd say wait for a better Iraq film to be made.

Comments

[Bonnie]

and 50 is correct!! see you thursday!!

[Eric]

I auditioned for THOTB. I was in the final running for the vice principal role. I was told by the director that they wanted somebody taller, more imposing. I guess I picked a bad week to stop taking steroids and wearing platform shoes.

[MC]

That's right I remember hearing about that audition. If you haven't seen it post production, perhaps it's better not to be associated with such a crappy film.

[Kraig]

I think Dad said Vince DeFelice was the Art Director for the Spokane scenes in the travolta movie

[MC]

That's right, I talked to him about this film already.