Heartland

Heartland (USA, 2016; 98 minutes)

Director: Maura Anderson

Lauren’s life is in freefall. After her girlfriend passed away, Lauren (Velinda Godfrey) loses her job and is evicted. Although she’s welcome to return to her childhood home, she finds her mother (Beth Grant) is not very supportive.

To make things more complicated, her brother’s sophisticated girlfriend Carrie (Laura Spencer) also comes to stay at the family home while she is opening a local winery. As a California girl, Carrie tries to make sense of rural Oklahoma, while Lauren tries to make sense of Carrie — at first put off by her superior attitude. Soon the two discover they have more in common, and as unexpected feelings begin to surface, a reckless romance begins, turning their world upside-down.

With a sympathetic view of their dawning relationship and an even-handed depiction of rural life, Heartland explores the fluid nature of sexuality and the true meaning of family.