The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter is a 1968 American film adaptation of the Carson McCullers novel of the same name. It was directed by Robert Ellis Miller. It stars Alan Arkin and introduced Sondra Locke, both earning Academy Award nominations. The film updates the novels smalltown Southern setting from the Depression era to the thencontemporary 1960s.
Following a successful attempt to win Micks friendship by encouraging her love for classical music, Singer visits Antonapoulos, and although he takes his friend out for the day, Singer is more lonely than ever when he returns home. Meanwhile, Portia and her husband are attacked and he is jailed for defending himself. Portia gets upset at Copeland for not perjuring himself to help bring out the truth about what happened in the fight. Copeland and Portias relationship gets even more strained after her husband has his leg amputated after being placed in irons for trying to escape jail. Singer gets the two to reconcile after Portia learns from Singer of Copelands illness.Mick willfully loses her virginity to the sensitive older brother of one of her classmates after she realizes that her fathers injury has permanently disabled him and she will have to leave school and go to work in order to help support the family. Disturbed by her sexual initiation, she ignores Singers request for some company. A short time later, Singer goes to visit Antonapoulos and learns that he has been dead for several weeks. After visiting his friends grave and saying goodbye in sign language, Singer returns to his room and commits suicide. ........
Source: Wikipedia