Where the Heart Is (2000) Reviews

• A very good date movie.

  chrisbrown64532000-09-30

  Where the Heart Is is a special kind of movie. City of Angels, Message in a Bottle, and Where the Heart Is all have that special ingredient that just grabs the viewer and holds him or her until the very last tear flows from their eye. Natalie Portman is very well cast in her role as Novalee Nation, a 20 year old pregnant woman who decides to move to California with her boyfriend. The sad thing is, when her and her boyfriend stop at a Wal-Mart in the middle of Oklahoma, he leaves her behind, and moves on without her. The movie follows her life after she realizes that her boyfriend has left her stranded, and is not coming back. A very unique screenplay allows this movie to radiate a love for Novalee, and allows the viewers to develop a friendship with her. Lexie Coop (Ashley Judd) becomes Novalee's best friend when they meet in the hospital after Novalee has her baby. Where the Heart Is has everything it takes to be a great movie. The choice of actors is superb, and the direction is wonderful. Of course with every movie made, at least all that I have viewed, there was a few things wrong with the movie. For instance, Novalee's mother abandoned her when she was about 8 years old. Right after she gives birth to her baby, her mother shows up by her side, and quite frankly, nothing ever becomes of that scene. It's completely irrelevant. Also, there is the whole living in Wal-Mart for six weeks thing to consider. I mean can that really happen? At any rate, by no means should these `mistakes' thwart your intention of watching this movie, it a real tearjerker, and I believe the best date movie since For Love of the Game.

• Steady Beats.

  tfrizzell2005-08-15

  A young pregnant girl (Natalie Portman) gets left in a small Oklahoma town by her loser boyfriend (Dylan Bruno) on their way to California from Tennessee. Portman is literally stranded at the local Wal-Mart and then becomes a national celebrity when she gives birth late one night at the store. Local gardener Stockard Channing and her live-in lover (Richard Jones) take the youngster and her child in as Portman gets the opportunity to work for Wal-Mart. Immediately we are introduced to a whole host of vivid characters. There is nurse Ashley Judd who is rearing five young children of her own, department store photographer Keith David and shy librarian James Frain who is taking care of his alcoholic older sister (Margaret Ann Hoard). And we even get a short glimpse of Portman's trashy, money-hungry mother (an electrically-charged cameo for Sally Field). Time passes, and Portman experiences life, love, triumph, tragedy and everything in between as she makes the small Oklahoma town her own. Smart drama that never loses its way and stays interesting due to Portman's show-stopping performance. The rest of the cast is right on key as well as fellow "Heat" alum Judd does a deceptively deep and heartfelt job. The movie works due to a steady pace, strong direction and a totally under-appreciated script. 4 stars out of 5.

• Gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling.

  shalsw2001-07-14

  This is one of those movies where you feel "all is right with the world" when it's over. It is inspirational - in the midst of the violence and profanity that occurs in life, it reminds you that there are still good, honest and decent people. I admire the fact that a wonderful movie was created without nudity, very little violence or excess profanity (were there 4-letter words in the movie?). I admit, it's somewhat of a fantasy that good things happen only to good people and bad things to bad people - but it makes you feel good about the outcome all the same.

• Excellent film- even for a chick flick.

  bobbyf2000-12-27

  I have to admit having a bias towards sci-fi, action adventure, mystery, conspiracy films, etc. I have sat through "Steel Magnolias" and "Fried Green Tomatoes" with my wife, and while I can admit they are well-made movies, I have never been too keen on movies with an all-female or predominantly female cast. I have also never cared much for Sally Fields' movies. (Perhaps I always think of her from the "Bandit" movies...) My first impression from all the trailers was that "Where the Heart Is" was nothing more than another "chick-flick" that I would, no doubt, find well-produced, but forgettable. I was wrong. Natalie Portman registers a great performance as a meek and downtrodden pregnant teen who learns early in life that "our lives can change with every breath." Ashley Judd puts in an Oscar worthy performance in her supporting role as the older, married friend who has trouble finding the right man to be the father of her children. Stockard Channing plays the unforgettable "Sister Husband" who takes the young girl and her newborn child in, and Sally Fields makes a momentary appearance as the young girl's absentee mother, one of the highlights of the film. Fields has deepened my respect for her as an actress with her five minutes of film time like no other actor/actress ever has. Joan Cusack appears as a talent manager in the film's sub-plot and is phenomenal in her brief on-screen time as well. Yes, there are men in the film, veteran David Keith and James Frain among them, but for the most part, this film relies on the vision of the world through the eyes of its female leads. I loved this film- the comedy, the drama, the love story... I laughed, and although I hate to admit it, being a tough guy and all, I cried - several times - during this wonderful film about learning to be content with what we have and learning to appreciate how unique and special everyone and everything is.

• beautifully made and heart-warming

  michaelsibley4162004-09-05

  It is not that a movie such as "Where The Heart Is" comes along and makes an impression so huge that you don't want to see it end. This is exactly what happened to me when I sat down to watch "Where The Heart Is." Within the first few moments of the film, I knew it would be special; this reason is Natalie Portman. Portman has a unique look of innocence that cannot be pulled off by many actresses as she does with her character, Novalee Nation. I couldn't wait for the next scene she would be in because of the physical beauty she possesses and the beauty in the performance she gives. Complimenting the performance of Portman is that of Ashley Judd. As I was watching Judd and Portman, I could tell that these are two actresses who knew exactly what the other would say and do the moment before it was actually done. Ashley Judd lights up the screen every SINGLE time she arrives in a scene. It is a no wonder she is the best at what she does. Another reason I liked "Where The Heart Is" relates to the double story lines of Portman's character determined to raise her daughter by herself while trying to make a career in photography. The other storyline revolved around the ex-boyfriend trying to make a name for himself in country music. The cool thing is that these are hobbies of mine and whenever I saw a camera or heard country music it brought a smile to my face. Not only are these hobbies of mine but they are both testaments to what can be done if one works hard enough to attain a specific goal. The story is one that will take you on a journey through the depths of your heart, soul, and end up in your head relaying the message that "Where The Heart Is" is a phenomenal movie. "Where The Heart Is" is not only my favorite film but the best film of 2000. GO SEE THIS WONDERFUL WORK OF ART.