Heart Beat is a 1980 American romantic drama film written and directed by John Byrum, based on the autobiography by Carolyn Cassady. The film is about seminal figures in the Beat Generation. The character of Ira, played by Ray Sharkey, is based on Allen Ginsberg. The film stars Nick Nolte, Sissy Spacek, and John Heard.
The movie received generally mixed reviews, although the soundtrack was met with critical acclaim. According to Box Office Mojo, its worldwide gross receipts were $954,046, making the movie a box office disappointment.
Plot
The film explores the love triangle of real-life characters Neal Cassady, Jack Kerouac, and Carolyn Cassady in the late 1950s and the 1960s. It chronicles Kerouac writing his seminal novel On the Road, and its effect on their lives.
Cast
Nick Nolte as Neal Cassady
Sissy Spacek as Carolyn Cassady
John Heard as Jack Kerouac
Ray Sharkey as Ira (based on Allen Ginsberg) Ann Dusenberry as Stevie Margaret Fairchild as Mrs. Kerouac John Larroquette as TV Talk Show Host David Lynch as Painter Tony Bill as Dick Don Brodie as Dispatcher
Production
It was one of the first movies from the newly formed Orion Productions.
Critical reception
Roger Ebert of The Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 2½ out of 4 stars and praised certain aspects of the film:
Musical score and soundtrack
The score was composed by Jack Nitzsche, and included the song "I Love Her, Too" co-written by Buffy Sainte-Marie and sung by Aaron Neville. The soundtrack prominently featured saxophonist Art Pepper and other West Coast jazz musicians, with the soundtrack album released on the Capitol label.
Track listing
All compositions by Jack Nitzsche except where noted. "On the Road" – 3:16 "Carolyn's Theme" – 1:53 "Adagio for Strings" – 1:58 "Three Americans" – 1:19 "Jack's Theme" – 1:39 "The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise" (Ernest Seitz, Gene Lockhart) – 2:10 "I Love Her Too" (Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Sainte-Marie, John Byrum) – 3:50 "Carolyn" – 3:18 "Jam" – 2:28 "Neal's Theme" – 1:55 "901" – 3:01 "Heart Beat" – 1:42
Personnel
Art Pepper – alto saxophone solos (tracks 1, 4, 5 & 9–11) Conte Candoli – trumpet Bud Shank – alto saxophone, flute Bob Cooper – tenor saxophone, oboe Pete Jolly – piano Max Bennett – bass Shelly Manne – drums Shorty Rogers – arranger Bob Enevoldsen – trombone Tommy Tedesco – guitar Frank Capp – drums Emil Richards – percussion Aaron Neville – vocals (track 7) Les Paul and Mary Ford – guitar and vocals (track 6) Unidentified Orchestra conducted by Alan Broadbent