“Heartland” examines a darker side of the country music scene, following the main character as she returns to Nashville on a mission to find her missing niece. Writer/director Shana Feste has been here before, in 2010’s “Country Strong,” returning to her interest in the bleak side of fame, examining a reality for performers who seek attention and fortune, only to run right into the predators and problems of achieving such media prominence. However, “Country Strong” was a melodrama, while “Heartland” is more of a mystery thriller, with the material in detective mode as the central case is explored. Feste looks to fill the movie with plenty of shady people and red herrings, and she also provides character business to study, keeping star Jessica Chastain busy. The picture offers an acceptable premise and early roughness, but the offering quickly turns into a television-style viewing experience, with Feste attempting to pack a full season’s worth of personalities into a single film. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com
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