Heartbeat (1993)

Adrian (Polly Draper) is a successful Los Angeles producer with an even more wealthy businessman for a husband. They are in love, even when Steven's temper erupts occasionally, for he always apologizes doesn't he? Meanwhile, Bill (John Ritter) is the director of a top-rated soap opera but unhappy in his personal life. This is because his ex-wife lives on the opposite coast and he doesn't get to see his two sons as often as he would like. One fateful day, Adrian's world is turned counter clockwise when she discovers she is pregnant. Husband Steven has made it clear that he doesn't not want children and it was agreed on before the marriage. But, once she is expecting, Adrian cannot go through with an abortion. Thus, Steven moves out, takes most of the furniture and begins divorce proceedings. What ever happened to love conquering all? But, as fate would have it, this opens the door for Bill and Adrian to meet and, after many weeks, start getting serious. Yet, Bill remains worried that Steven will return and change his mind. Will he? This heartfelt film is very sweet, tailor made for romance lovers. Based on a popular book by Danielle Steel, fans of the novel should be very pleased with this successful rendering. Ritter and Draper are truly great in roles that could have been somewhat one dimensional. The supporting actors are not noteworthy but that doesn't matter. Costumes, the sunny LA sets and the fine direction help make it a small winner. If you like romantic flicks, with a cup of hot chocolate and some popcorn on the side, then this one is for you.

The basic story is fine but this is definitely not the best adaptation of a Danielle Steel novel I've seen.The whole thing happened too fast and instead of finding Bill romantic and endearing, he actually came across a little 'stalkery' and desperate because the pace was way too quick. The female lead was pretty wooden and came across as both annoying an pathetic, making the story even more unbelievable because it was impossible to tell what Bill saw in her.It was obviously shot on a low budget, which wasn't really a problem, but some of the effects seemed very clunky.

I thought Polly Drapers (Adrian Towers) performance was average, but i found the hushed breathy way she spoke at times very irritating. I found Kevin Kilners performance as Adrians husband at best wooden and hammy. John Ritter gave a very natural performance as Bill, and i confess that it was only his role that caused me to watch it.Bill as is often the case in made for TV romantic films is almost too nice,a likable, lovable guy.This film is really exactly what it sets out to be; a romantic, inoffensive, made for TV movie.Something you would curl up on an afternoon to watch.It is the sort of film, if you take it for what it is, then it's an enjoyable movie.

Not a bad teleflick, but the Danielle Steel book is a lot better. John Ritter is fine, but Polly Draper is badly miscast (and her character Adrian is badly written in this script, she's a lot better in the book). Her voice squeaks so much, it drove me up the wall. It's an OK teleflick, but the TV movie adaptions of Steel's Once In A Lifetime and Jewels, for example, are a lot better. I'd just as rather reread the book Heartbeat again, but I digress.