Heart Beat (film)
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. 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.