Heart of America (film)

Heart of America
Heart of America
	DVD release cover
Directed by	Uwe Boll
Written by	Robert Dean Klein
Story by	Uwe Boll
Produced by	Shawn Williamson ; Wolfgang Herold
Starring	Jürgen Prochnow ; María Conchita Alonso ; Clint Howard ; Miles Meadows ; Brendan Fletcher ; Lochlyn Munro ; Will Sanderson; Maeve Quinlan; Patrick Muldoon; Michael Pare
Edited by	David M. Richardson
Music by	Reinhard Besser
Release date	September 5, 2002 (Oldenburg International Film Festival);
Running time	87 minutes
Countries	Canada; Germany
Language	English

Heart of America (also released as Home Room) is a 2002 Canadian-German drama film written and directed by Uwe Boll about the events leading up to and revolving around a shooting on the final day of school. The film features an ensemble cast including Jürgen Prochnow, Michael Paré, Elisabeth Moss, Patrick Muldoon, Clint Howard, and Brendan Fletcher. The film also addresses the issue of school bullying.

Plot

The last day of school contains many problems for both teachers and students of Riverside High School, and there are multiple storylines about this.

The principal, Harold Lewis, must discipline English teacher William Pratt, who has let his professional frustrations get the better of him, while guidance counselor Vanessa Jones attempts to get through to student drug dealer Wex Presley, who is ruining her students.

Meanwhile, Principal Lewis' daughter, Karen, is having trouble with her boyfriend, Tommy Bruno, outcast Dara McDermott craves drugs, a pregnant girl named Robin Walters argues with her boyfriend, Kevin Rhodes about her future options; and bully Ricky Herman begins to recognize the consequences of his actions.

Unbeknownst to these people, two bullied students and best friends Daniel Lynne and Barry Shultz are about to shoot up the school as an act of revenge against their tormentors. Barry, however, is having second thoughts, while the seething Daniel prepares to unleash his rage. Daniel decides to attack his high school on the last day, insisting that he does not care if he lives or dies, tired of constant harshness and abuse from his uncaring father, Artie and from bullies at school; Ricky among them. On the last day, Daniel carries out his plan, aided by Dara who spontaneously joins him. Daniel confronts three of his past tormentors: Paul, Ricky, and Jeff and kills them. Kevin is shot and killed when he and Robin come into the line of fire, much to Daniel's regret while Robin is spared. Meanwhile, Dara walks into her English class and kills Mr. Pratt, and Karen, who had been a rival for the attentions of Tommy. Dara is then subdued by bully Donny Pritzee and is turned over to the police. Barry walks away from the school, having bailed out on the plan, believing there are other responses to the abuse he and Daniel suffered in the past. A lone gunshot then rings out as Daniel commits suicide.

As the film ends, a reporter informs the public of the school shooting, revealing that Daniel committed suicide, and the camera turns away from the TV to show Barry's and Daniel's shocked parents watching. At Daniel's home, the phone begins to ring, but Artie cannot bring himself to pick it up. The film then ends as a voice lists off major incidents of violence perpetrated by minors.

Cast

Jürgen Prochnow as Principal Harold Lewis
Michael Pare as William Pratt
Patrick Muldoon as Ryan Kirkland
Kett Turton as Daniel Lynne
Elisabeth Moss as Robin Walters
Maria Conchita Alonso as Vanessa Jones
Clint Howard as Arthur "Artie" Lynne
Brendan Fletcher as Ricky Herman
Lochlyn Munro as the reporter
Maeve Quinlan as Becky Schultz
Elisabeth Rosen as Dara McDermott
Will Sanderson as Frank Herman
G. Michael Gray as Wex Presley
Kevin Mundy as Tommy Bruno
Michael Belyea as Barry Shultz
Stephanie MacGillivray as Karen Lewis
Alejandro Rae as Paul
Matthew MacCaull as Donald "Donny" Pritzi
Steve Byers as Jeff
Miles Meadows as Kevin Rhodes
Christopher Marvrikos as Lenny
Chilton Crane as Helena Pratt
Spencer Achtymichuk as James Pratt
Lesley Ewen as Ms. Weinberg
Birgit Stein as Mrs. Hall
Lily Shavick as Paula
Michaela Mann as Slow White
Chris Jovick as Kenny
Justin Stillwell as Joe
Mike Savage as Dave
Benjamin Derrick as the mailman
Brad Loree as a man with a mask
Brent Connolly, Richard Kahan, and John Kralt as additional students
Nick Allen, David Ferguson, Gary Ferguson, and Dustin Brooks as "small students"