MovieChat Forums > Untamed Heart (1993) Discussion > One of my favourite movies but unrealist...

One of my favourite movies but unrealistic


I can relate to Adam as I'm really shy and suffer from social anxiety myself. I wouldn't go so far to say I'm as bad off as him but I've still a pretty heavy cross to bare.

So this is a very special movie for me as I can relate to Adam a lot. There's not any other film that has the male lead being that shy (not counting comedic purposes). Needless to say I had a hard crush on Marisa Tomei and it was a never to be fulfilled dream to meet someone as caring and sensitive as her. And it's still my opinion that there's not a single girl on earth who would have given Adam the slightes of a chance.

In our society as evolved as it is the fact still holds true that the guy has to be the aggressive part in a blazing relationship. Girls being shy seem to be more natural and is forgiven pretty quick but a guy unable to approach a girl is almost bound to loneliness.

My stupid sister was actually making fun of Slater's acting and I'd never dare watching this movie with anyone again because laughing at Adam was like laughing at me. Having a bit of experience in being totally shy I know that there's not much of an acceptance for "us".

For me it's kind of a modern day fairy tale. Unlikely to ever happen.

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I had 3 open heart operations before I was 10 years old, I was painfully shy, and went to work at a hotel, and fell madly in love with a very pretty, hostess. Took me all summer to ask her out. She said yes. We spent a couple great years together but we kind of had different plans for our lives. I watched this movie and it blew me away. She emailed me after this move came out and said she cried because that could have been us. I didn't die of course and she was not attacked. Seriously if Marisa had blonde hair they would look allot a like. The other odd thing is my name is Michael Leonard, and Slater's real name according to IMDB is Christian Michael Leonard Hawkins.

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i agree that it's unrealistic but not for the same reasons. i think this film is a total female fantasy...to the extent that i knew what was coming next. i think every girl would love adam, but he isn't realistic. he's far too innocent to be a real person.

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i don't think hes too innocent to be a real person. i've met people who are as shy as that. as innocent as that. it's quite likely that if a guy did have heart surgery at that age and people avoided him then got used to it, it would happen. of course when i'm saying if a guy did, i mean hypothetically. coz i know people do have heart surgery at that age.

Bill: dude, this is a totally deep hole
Ted: yeah. now what?
Bill: i don't know.

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ok, it's possible that someone could be that innocent, but most of us can't hope to meet someone like that. oh dear...i sound sad....

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lol.
no, you don't sound sad...
it's true there are people out there like that ...but they're a minority

Bill: dude, this is a tolally deep hole
Ted: yeah. now what?
Bill: i don't know.

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honestly adam reminded me of george of the jungle with clothes and more civilized mannerisms. but it's that naturalness and innocence that was so incredibly attractive. like edward scissorhands haha. vulnerable men are sexy in their own way because you now there's the strength of a lionsheart beneath.

it's hot when they dont' think they are.

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smiley3456: What you said is all true. I totally agree.

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The irony there is that his heart wasn't strong at all.

It was a great movie, and tbo she was lucky to even meet someone like him. Looking at the jerk of a bloke that dumped her at the begining I'd suggest that she was destined for a typically mundane and loveless life.

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I hope things get much better for you Vincent. Really.

I honestly believe that if you are a decent person that you will find what you need. It just may not take the form that you might think.

Hang in there man.

Chris.

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I'm also like Adam as I am really shy with girls, I even have the same hair and boring job.

But I met a girl that like Caroline, was tired of jocks and *beep* (like most guys are). So she got to know me and fell in love with me. And she even reminds me of Caroline with the way she acts...one of the first thing she asked me was to cut my hair :S

So this movie is realistic as I am surely not the only one who's got the same story Adam has.

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Yes, it is unrealistic. Only in the movies can a shy, creepy looking loner sneak into a pretty girls bedroom just to watch her sleep, and win her heart!

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I just saw this movie again and I agree with you, Bill.

Although it's a sweet, romantic movie on the surface,
I, too, feel that it's unrealistic for someone to
creep into someone's bedroom-on the second floor,
no less, without ANYBODY in the neighborhood seeing him,
much less the household!

Were these people drugged or what?
They had to be not to see him climbing
up the side of house into Caroline's bedroom!

Then, how in the world did he get the
Christmas tree upstairs without
being detected?
Wouldn't the ornaments fall off
and break-thus waking the household?

I would the writers have written
that Adam brought
a small tree through the window.
(and that, in itself, is
eerily creepy!

Yet they had us believe that he
brought tree, ornaments and all
up the stairs undetected!

In real life, if the family didn't hear
Adam creeping around, some busybody
neighbor would have called the police.

If I were Caroline, I would have
feel violated after Adam told me
that he watched me sleep.

I would have rather the writers
say the Adam watched her sleep
after they made love a time or
two at his place.

Basically, though this was a
sweet love story.
I did enjoy certain parts of it.

I love a shy man--but not a creepy one!

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[deleted]

I understand that it's just a movie.

I did enjoy the romance and love
that Adam had for Caroline and she,
eventually, for him.

Unsure if rich people would be concerned about
everyday lives.

Also, there are many more "everyday people"
in Los Angeles than rich celebrities.

Not to belabor the fact:

But there are people who live their lives vicariously
through movies.

There are people worldwide, not just Los Angeles,
who take movies to heart.

Can you imagine some guy who's fallen in love
with someone in his mind, creeps around
in her bedroom watching her sleep because
Caroline was so receptive to it by Adam?

Or if he were creeping in the house and moving
the Christmas tree upstairs to her room?

He may not receive the same receptive or reaction.

He may even find himself in jail or worse!

Anyway, although it was just a cute, romantic movie,
I felt a little creeped out when Adam said that
to Caroline.

Personally, if a man, no matter how much
I liked him, would've said that to me,
I would have felt flattered yet
a little unsettled about it.

As I said previously, I love a shy guy--
but not an eerie, creepy one!

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[deleted]

I could definately see how him sneaking into her room would be creepy but given the situation and the fact that at the time he told her she already had a real relationship with him and knew his behavior, I guess it was ok for her. She understood that it wasn't a stalker type thing with him. He cared for her and wanted to look after her. Like when he told her he always made sure she got home from work ok by following her home. I know people have a hard time accepting that something like this could happen in real life without it being stalkerish and yes there were some things that were questionable, like how he got the christmas tree up there without anyone hearing him, but and please don't think I'm trying to sound dramatic, in life, crazier things have happened. To me a relationship like this is far from being unrealistic. We all know how hard it is to make a real connection with someone and sometimes it doesn't happen for us in the conventional sense; in what most people would call a 'normal' way. This is just a look at two people who both are emotionally scarred and came together through extreme circumstances. I think it's a beautiful love story. My only problem with movies like this is so often when two characters love eachother as deeply as these two did and are soulmates so to speak, one of them if not both have to die. I know, I know, it adds to the drama, it just bothers me sometimes.

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i dunno-this story is more likely to happen in the east/east coast. the great mixing of people/cultures allows for a live and let live attitude (I know it takes place in MN, but it was really a NY type of film)

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I first watched the movie 2 years ago on cable during one late night that I felt so much on a personal level: I have been socially inept myself for almost all my life: I was very shy and had those social anxiety syndrome as well, and all through high school I studied hard, not even laying on a pretty girl in high school to go through college, but once in college, I didn't even get a chance to speak to girls and had so no luck in creating romantic sparks...probably it was due to the reason of studying behind those piles of books around the corner of my library with my heavy pair of glasses and unattractive apparel. I admit I didn't get along with crowds too well.
Then something transformed me after I graduated from college and went to study animation in a private school, I met a very attractive girl in my class. She was actually a korean girl studying abroad for 1 year and she was very amazingly artistic, but did not realize her potential until she came to my school to study film. We didn't even catch eyes at first, and it seemed she was very shy as well. I was shy but I decided wat the heck, I gotta be the one who’s aggressive…since I got nothing to loose…It wasn't until she needed help in buying some furnitures that I asked if I could help out with the car ride to the shop.
Things went magically smooth later on, as we gradually got to know each other...She was quick to judge things and went wild like a little kid in the big department, whereas I was calm and guided her through her adjustment to “cultural shock”. Nevertheless, I kinda rushed too much at one moment when I asked if she wanted to go to the movies with me. She hesitated and replied no...which totally broke my heart...and things cooled off for some moment b/w me and her until christmas break came...I mean didn't have much experience in chasing girls...all crazy thoughts rushed through my mind. I mean was she just using me to drive her around to buy things…why is love so hard to find and maintain…blah blah blah…and at that moment when I met her I thought she is the one for me. I took the courage to phone her again, trying to break her mold…because I was starting to see that she was holding something back…I was not going to give up that easily since we both knew we did make connection deep inside. Then on a fine beautiful day we went on a little trip to an amazing beach, where we really shared our intimate thoughts. Then she told me about her little secret: she had had trouble with her heart, taking medication all through high school.
So that kinda coincided with the character in the movie, except in reverse. She was very sensitive and afraid of letting people to know her inside and hence the real her… And she was blindly fooled by her former ex-bf...That’s where we shared our understanding and became romantically involved. I guess that’s what’s love is about: compassion and understanding, and courage and persistence…
Even though we went on several dates later on, we each knew that a relationship couldn’t be maintained since we had our own separate “destiny” to follow: she was an exchange student and I am pursuing my dream to become an animator. We both have to commit to our education (maybe too much education minded at stake) during our stay so we didn’t become too romantically involved…
Nevertheless, we remain good contact after graduation. In a way, it was still sweet since we had too much fun just being in the presence of each other…I mean who knows for the future lies for both of us…maybe I’ll relocate to Korean to find her…hehe…Anywayz, she taught me how to love a person with total honesty…what better ways to win a girl’s heart with sincerity. Too bad in the modern day era, it’s all about fast-food love (I dunno if there’s a term for it in English) and money being totally being the biggest factor...
I guess in every relationship there is a lesson to be learned: even though this movie presents sort of unrealistic love on several levels: normally people rarely make connection with each other, and as our society progresses into more of an IT based phenomenon, where computer trascends from a tool to a liability, might we become so trapped within our little space (maybe it’s cyber space) that we’ve lost the courage to pursue true love…ok…now I’m getting off-topic.
Anywayz, I consider this movie to be my one of favorite since I can relate to the character on many levels…good thing that in reality, I didn’t get stabbed and she didn’t cry out for me.
If you want to see more this rare honesty shy guy beating out ruthless bad boy to win a beautifully understanding girl movie…I highly recommend this recent 2005 Japanese movie, called Densha Otoko…I won’t give it away too much but it is similar to Untamed heart, except a happy ending. It is actually based on a true story about a nerdy good-hearted bachelor (year of living=year of no girlfriends) meets a young beautiful office lady on a train…and their turbulent romance. It is ideal if you want to bring some napkins since the ending is tear-inducing…If you love anime you’ll dig it for sure as well.

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This is one of my fave films also, one of my fave Christian Slater films actually. Sure there are some unrealistic parts in this film, but I think that there are people out there who are just like Adam and Caroline maybe not exactly like them but probably close to it. As for your sister makeing fun of Slaters acting in this film don't let her put you off watching the film with someone else I personally think he did a brilliant job in this movie, I mean we all know his defiantely nothing like the character of Adam in real life so clearly he did a fantastic job with the portrayal of Adam, he was pretty believable to me anyway.

God sent us an angel from the heavens above and called him Wentworth Miller

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I did something similar to the Christmas thing and I never got caught or the police called on me and I lit a bunch of candles down the walkway. I don't know where you live but I live in San Diego. There aren't that many people walking around in the middle of the night.

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yeah you hear a lot of women say they love shy men in general, but then they get bent that you don't ask them out after the first encounter. Can't have it both ways ladies.

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this is one of my favorate movies. i can not stop crying every time i watch it.
the unrealistic but strong love of Adam touched me deeply.
and he is just my prince charming that i am looking forward.

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I think there are Caroline's out there and Adam's too. I'd say you're more likely to find a Caroline the older you get. Like if you're in high school, it's unlikely that even if you did find a Caroline she would be able to give into her own feelings without being peer pressured not to. I think a reason Untamed Heart works is because Caroline doesn't care what people think (and really she only felt peer pressure from her co-workers, which is not an entire high school class). I think you could find a Caroline in college easier since the atmosphere is so different, and even if there are some social quotas it's not as bad as in high school. Anyway believe it or not some girls are attracted to shy guys, and possibly the girl may be shy as well which is why you don't find her. Anyway I hope everyone finds their Adam's and Caroline's; I know I'm looking for my Adam.

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You're completely right. That's the reason why this movie worked for me. The fact that the girl didn't reacted as the classic one. Another girl from the majority of movies would have been scared, rejected him, gone out with the double dating guy, made out with him, and then just after many many many failures she would have gone with the guy. Her quick reaction in giving "them" a chance, their relationship just went smoothly.

And someone else mentioned his vulnerability is kind of like Edward Scissorhands and it's true!!! I luv shy guys....

NOTE: vulnerable BUT still brave enough to risk their lives for you... completely different than falling in love for a guy I would have to protect lol.

Sweet movie... yes i cried...

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just ordered the dvd from amazon.

first saw it when i was really young... I normally don't like romances but this one make exception.

yes, i do like shy guys too...

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what you say might be true.personally, i tend to notice the guy that never talks to the guy that's a total flirt. but that's just me. it is unrealistic but i love it. everytime i see this movie i cry my eyes out. it's just So sweet!but really, being painfully shy myself i may be into the shy guy but, i tend to respond better to one that starts the conversation. you're right though it's sad. i would love to have a romance like this except the attempted rape & the death

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