2 Hearts (2020) [บรรยายไทย]

Not surprisingly, Jorge defies the odds, growing into an impossibly handsome, strapping man (Adan Canto, Designated Survivor, Narcos) whose only clues to his serious medical condition are the large scar on his chiseled torso and a nagging cough. A cough so nagging, in fact, that you begin to suspect he spent his childhood obsessively watching Greta Garbo in Camille. He also finds love, in the form of Grace (Radha Mitchell, Man on Fire, The Shack), a Pan Am airlines stewardess who thinks nothing of holding the terrified Jorge’s hand during a routine lift-off. (Before you send angry missives about the use of the archaic term “stewardess” instead of flight attendant, bear in mind that Jorge and Grace’s story takes place several decades before Chris and Sam’s. Perhaps the reference to Pan Am wasn’t enough of a clue?)

The dual love stories are depicted in alternating scenes rivaling each other for banality and predictability. Chris and Sam laugh a lot with each other, in that spunky, incredibly optimistic way that many adult viewers will only faintly remember from their own youthful romances. Meanwhile, Jorge and Grace enjoy the sort of whirlwind love affair, including spontaneous getaways to luxury beachside resorts, that only lots and lots of money can buy.

By the time Chris, who has a disconcerting habit of pretending to suddenly fall down in a heap, collapses for real and is diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, it’s easy to tell where the story is going. Actually, that’s not fair. It’s easy to tell where the story is going from the first few minutes. Suffice it to say that it’s no spoiler alert to point out that the main feeling you’re likely to take away from 2 Hearts is an urgent desire to check off that organ donation box on your driver’s license. (Speaking of which, can we call for a cessation of cinematic romances using body parts as a principal plot device? With this film coming so soon after the equally egregious Last Christmas, it’s beginning to feel like Hollywood is attempting to shift its business model to black market kidneys.)

There’s a powerfully moving true story at the center of 2 Hearts, and despite its formulaic manipulations the film’s last act will undoubtedly bring some viewers to tears. After all, who doesn’t think it’s a good idea to tell the people you love how you feel about them while they’re still here? Too often, that realization only comes when it’s too late. The good news is that if you skip this movie, you’ll have a couple extra hours to do it right now.