Goodnight for Justice: Queen of Hearts (2013)

Goodnight for Justice: Queen of Hearts Poster

John Goodnight crosses paths with a stagecoach under attack and comes to the rescue of its passengers, one of whom is a beautiful woman who may or may not have been a prisoner being transported by a detective who did not survive the attack. Their journey together takes them to a gambling riverboat, where Goodnight discovers her true identity.

Movie Summary
"Goodnight for Justice: Queen of Hearts" released in 2013 is the 3rd installment in Trademark's 'Goodnight for Justice' western film series. Starring Luke Perry, Kathryn Isabelle and Ricky Schroder, the movie focuses on Circuit Judge John Goodnight's (played by Luke Perry) experiences as he takes a trip through the Old West giving justice.

Plot
The story starts when Judge Goodnight crosses courses with a stagecoach under attack. Amongst the travelers, he saves a lovely woman named Lucy Truffaut, depicted by Katharine Isabelle. He is immediately smitten by her appeal and innocence, unaware that Lucy is, in fact, a notorious scam artist getting away from a ruthless gangster.

As the story advances, the audience discovers that Lucy Truffaut has a bounty on her head, owed to her dubious past. She is being pursued by the hazardous gangster, Cyril Knox, played by Ricky Schroder, who wishes to catch her at any expense. Unaware of her real identity and by the imminent risk, Goodnight finds himself increasingly drew in to the mystical Lucy.

Unwinding Truth
In the course of their journey together, her genuine identity is unintentionally revealed to Judge Goodnight. Goodnight, a devotee of justice and law, is now torn in between his growing sensations for Lucy and his commitment to legality. A substantial part of the film is committed to the internal battle of Goodnight, who grapples with his feelings for Lucy and his dedication to the law.

Conclusion and Resolution
When Cyril finally corners Lucy, a thrilling face-off takes place in between him, John Goodnight, and his trusted sheriff ally who has been supplying him help throughout the film. Goodnight's deep-rooted sense of justice moves him to safeguard Lucy despite the understanding of her criminal activities. The movie then reaches its climax in a significant gunfight.

The film ends with Goodnight acknowledging the 2 sides of Lucy - as a criminal and as the woman he loves. As a male of the law, he can not disregard her past and needs to respond properly. The film concludes with a bittersweet ending, adding depth and psychological complexity to the character of Judge Goodnight.

Overall Review
"Goodnight for Justice: Queen of Hearts" remarkably stabilizes the categories of romance, action, and drama. The film's screenplay gradually develops thriller while successfully portraying the internal disputes of the central characters. The efficiencies, especially by Luke Perry and Katharine Isabelle, add a layer of credibility to the story, enhancing its total impact.

This movie effectively keeps the spirit of traditional Westerns while offering a refreshing take on the genre. The romantic sub-plot lends the film emotional depth, making it not just a tale of excellent vs. wicked, but also an expedition of moral issues and the intricacies of human relationships.

Top Cast

  • Luke Perry (small)
    Luke Perry
    Judge John Goodnight
  • Katharine Isabelle (small)
    Katharine Isabelle
    Lucy Truffaut
  • Ricky Schroder (small)
    Ricky Schroder
    Col. Cyril Knox
  • Ryan Robbins (small)
    Ryan Robbins
    Pinkerton Man
  • Jerry Wasserman (small)
    Jerry Wasserman
    Sheriff
  • Ted Mann
    Captain
  • Kerry James (small)
    Kerry James
    Cassidy
  • Serge Houde (small)
    Serge Houde
    Banker
  • Adam Greydon Reid (small)
    Adam Greydon Reid
    Fat Cat
  • Duane Howard (small)
    Duane Howard
    Apache