The Heart Knows has a premise with real emotional and moral possibilities. A wealthy businessman receives a heart transplant, becomes curious about his donor and develops feelings for the man's widow. Concealing the connection should make the relationship complicated. The film too rarely explores that complexity.
Benjamín Vicuña's Juan Manuel changes from controlled and cold to emotionally awakened so quickly that I struggle to believe the transition. Julieta Díaz brings warmth to Valeria, but the writing leaves her closer to a sympathetic idea than a fully developed person.
The relationship progresses too easily and predictably. Significant looks and tentative intimacy stand in for convincing chemistry. Both actors make an effort, yet cannot overcome characters built from familiar melodramatic components.
The film briefly asks whether a new heart changes a person beyond the physical procedure. Rather than seriously examining that question, it relies on sentiment and recognisable romantic beats. I could see the destination long before the story arrived there.
The direction is professionally handled but cautious, with music pushing the emotions when subtler moments would help. The contrast between the rich recipient and his donor's background is another promising idea left largely undeveloped.
My rating is 1.5 out of 5 stars. There is a worthwhile starting point here, undermined by superficial people and a script too eager to produce feeling without earning it. Viewers content with familiar light romance may pass the evening pleasantly enough. I wanted the film its premise seemed to promise.