Three of Hearts

Three of Hearts is an incredibly comprehensive documentary (it was filmed over the course of nearly 10 years!) that follows three people in a committed relationship – with each other. The unusual alliance started with Sam and Steven, a gay couple looking to add a woman to the mix. They eventually find Samantha, whose natural curiosity draws her to the two men – but it’s not long before all three are falling in love with each other. Director Susan Kaplan doesn’t shy away from presenting the audience with some of the more awkward moments in the relationship, which includes the surprising decision by one of the participants to eventually walk away. Three of Hearts is mostly engaging, though there are a few sequences that seem to go on longer than necessary (a routine by the trio at a family reunion is a perfect example of this). Yet there’s no denying the effectiveness of the film, and it’s rare to find a documentary in which the viewer becomes so involved with the folks up on screen.

**1/2 out of ****