Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is (1994) starring Robert Wagner, Stefanie Powers, Lionel Stander, Maureen O'Sullivan directed by Peter Roger Hunt Movie Review

Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is (1994)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers in Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is (1994)

Home With the Harts

Just as the wealthy and attractive Jonathan and Jennifer Hart are getting romantic in the hot tub they are disturbed by their dog Freeway and so after heading to the kitchen Jennifer receives a telegram informing her that her beloved mentor, Eleanor Biddlecomb (Maureen O'Sullivan), has died. On Jonathan's insistence they head to Kingsman's Ferry for the funeral where much to their surprise they not only learn that Eleanor owned the town but has left it to Jennifer in her will. But something makes Jonathan and Jennifer suspicious especially when it comes to Eleanor's death and as they start snooping they put themselves in danger from what happened to Eleanor.

If I was to be honest when I watched "Hart to Hart Returns" I was a little under whelmed and I wasn't entirely sure but after watching the second of the made for TV "Hart to Hart" movies I now know why. The trouble with "Hart to Hart Returns" it felt necessary to re-introduce us to everyone and so it lacked the fun and focus on the crime story. Fortunately when it comes to "Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is" it can jump straight in and is much better for doing so.

Alan Young in Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is (1994)

As such what we have in "Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is" is a simple tale of murder in a small town where are favourite fabulously wealthy and good looking couple find themselves drawn in to things. We meet a whole array of quirky characters from Charley the stereotypical town fool to a mysterious man in a suit to Capt. Jackson and of course we are supposed to wonder whether any of these are involved in the mystery or maybe they will end up as victims as Jonathan and Jennifer dodge traps such as falling anchors.

But as always the truth about "Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is" is less about the crime which is an enjoyable bit of fluff but more about the chemistry of Wagner and Powers. And the best example of this is the early scene which sees them in a hot tub and getting romantic with plenty of friendly but risque dialogue and facial expressions from Powers. The thing is that Powers and Wagner were so good together, so natural that you would swear they were an item in real life. As such whilst "Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is" also has enjoyable performances from Howard Keel, Alan Young and of course Lionel Stander as Max it is Powers and Wagner who keep you watching.

What this all boils down to is that "Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is" is a lot of fun, a pleasant nostalgic trip to when "Hart to Hart" and that specific brand of light entertainment murder mystery worked. It is easy to watch, lots of fun whilst also featuring Wagner and Powers on fine form.

Tags: TV Mystery Movie Crime Solvers


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