A Cold War tiger rescue becomes the world's messiest couples therapy session.
After months of negotiations, U.S. and Russian forces join together to save the tiger. For Jeff Cox, big game animal trainer, it’s a dream come true, but for his long-time girlfriend, Barbara, it’s the end of a perfect fairytale. Jeff’s partner, David Mirschkov returns to the U.S. with unsettling news for Barbara. Jeff will be staying with the tiger project for an indefinite period. Feeling betrayed by Jeff’s unrelenting career, Barbara throws herself into a steamy affair with David. Barbara now has an insatiable desire for love and commitment, but her desperate need for traditional values contrasts with David’s inexhaustible search for utopian idealism. When lovers confront one another with opposing values, ‘Heartstrings’ get tangled in this racy, modern love story.
Production
Actual tiger footage elevates the absurdity.
Costume
Peak late-80s power suits and snow gear.
Acting
Philip English commits to 'utopian idealist' with straight face.
Director
Serge Georgeon
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Monty Cox was a real big cat trainer; this may be cinema's only case of accurate casting in a romantic lead role.
Released months before the Berlin Wall fell, making its earnest US-Soviet cooperation plot accidentally prophetic—and immediately dated.
US
