AllMovie

Geraldine Page, whose film and stage career included an amazing variety of roles, is still not an actress whose name comes to mind when discussing romantic comedies. Nevertheless, she is excellent in Dear Heart, a sweet and charming little film that is ultimately too insubstantial and dated to rank as a great film. (It also veers uncomfortably off track near the end.) Page displays many of her familiar characteristics and mannerisms -- a certain hesitancy, a distinct vulnerability compounded with an iron determination, a flutteriness. She creates a detailed portrait of a lonely, sad woman who knows that admitting her sadness would destroy her. Glenn Ford is a bit dull as her intended paramour, but a large part of this is due to the role rather than the actor. Angela Lansbury is dependably bitchy, and Alice Pearce, Mary Wickes and Richard Deacon offer fine support. Delbert Mann's direction is fine but unexciting; visually the film is somewhat static and dull. The sleek Henry Mancini score, especially the popular title tune, is a definite plus.