The film Heartland by Maura Anderson, seems to lack the type of emotional shock that it’d potentially receive in the United States, specifically the Southern U.S.

Perhaps Canadians are a little more understanding and tolerant than those in the south, but this story of a woman in rural Oklahoma getting close to her brother’s girlfriend seems to be more taboo than it would appear. Obviously, the title of Heartland presents a hint, but even so, the effect is muted slightly.

Thank goodness that Beth Grant (The Mindy Project and almost every southern-set movie comes along for the proceedings.) Grant’s presence elevates the film above a genre exercise. The role of Crystal is a mostly thankless one and yet Grant is able to rise above the sometimes soppy material. The main role is that of Carrie (played by Lauren Spencer of The Big Bang Theory) and she is alright and Velinda Godfrey as Laura, but we are left wanting to see more of Grant, as well as Steve Agee, who barely registers.

The film is maybe best appreciated by audience members with connections to the Heartland.

[star v=3]