Where the Heart Is
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Movie Reviews of Where the Heart Is
Movie Review: Where the Good Movie Is....Here.
Summary: 5 Stars
Dont get this confused with another movie of the same title released in the early 90s', although it was in slightly the same catagory 2000's 'Where the Heart Is' stands alone. Who could've seen a movie like this coming?...well obviously the few powerhouse actors/actresses who gave small parts in this unique story. Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd and Stockard Channing take center stage among fresh faces like Dylan Bruno (Willie Jack Pickins) and James Frain (Forney Hull)..who took substantial co-staring roles. Without getting too in-depth about the film, the movie centers around two stories that seem to merge in meaning towards the end. On one stage, shy and sweet Novalee Nation (Portman) is a teenager who finds herself pregnant by a country-bumpkin troublemaker (Dylan Bruno) and left abandoned and alone to fend for herself before having the baby (an interesting twist giving her secret lodgings in a rural Wal-Mart where she works.) She is taken in by a religious and thoughtful middle-aged couple (Stockard Channing as 'Sister Husband'), and raises her baby girl while pursuing a love of photography. Now, on the other stage..Dylan Bruno is an aspiring country music singer with guitar-in-hand. Dirty and broke, he wanders into a small-time record producing company and is taken under the wing of producer Ruth Meyers (Call her Ruth Meyers)..a small part beautifully done by my favorite actress the lovely Joan Cusack. Bruno releases one song 'The Beat of a Heart', and falls harder to rock bottom than a heroin addict. The movie does a fantastic job of moving through 5 years in a few hours..with an upbeat and enlightening story, a dedicated cast and even a great country/contemporary soundtrack. 'Where the Heart Is' isn't a blind title, you'll see why it was used when the two stories of these heart-warming characters who've suffered losses and hard times, lost friends and found love collide (Well, not collide. This isn't an action movie.) I was raised among movies like 'Terminator', 'Predator', 'Bloodsport' and 'One Crazy Summer'...Joan Cusack as a cast member is what brought me to watch this romantic comedy, and if I can say that this is one of the best movies Ive ever seen, I think it should most definately work for a more devoted fan to romantic comedies. For Ashley Judd fans..yes, this is a big part for her. A little bit of something for everyone looking for laughs, happy endings and maybe a few tears. 'Where the Heart Is' is a perfect summer evening flick, by far one of the most well done movies of the genre I've seen yet. A sure sale for fans of 'Someone Like You' (Ashley Judd, Greg Kinear) and 'You've Got Mail' (Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan).Movie Review: Extremely well written, acted out, and filmed
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie, has Natalie Portman perhaps playing the role of her
career and of her life, considering the realism, feel and
presence she brings to the movie, and ... potential she brings to
the character, in terms of having the public believe she had a
lot better in store for her, than what she was brought up with,
in terms of the character.
There's the very realistic side, poverty, family obligations,
day-to-day pressures, the ups and downs, the challenge of
maintaining social relationships, and more.
There's also the comedic, parody of a certain type of woman of a
specific geographic location, and social class, breeding babies
like rabbits, in the USA. Obviously, not to be taken literally,
and seriously, in my view. For example, Ashley Judd's character
has 6 kids in the film.
There are also serious aspects brought into the open, such as
alcoholism, irresponsibility, financial ruin, pedophilia,
psychological disorders, age and death, birth, etc.
There's the softer side, as well, which depicts the social
interactions between people, which is not always valued or
underlined in a moview, vs. agression, violence, explosions in
action movies, for example. For this reason alone, the store can
be seen as a welcome change.
It also brings to the forefront, paternal responsibility for
fathering kids, the thesis of the movie being, is sorely lacking
in the USA.
Judd's character is done extremely well, and is perfect to not
overexpose her, in balance with Natalie Portman's persona, which
is the real focus, and protagonist, here. Again, Portman simply
does an incredible job, with her human presence, timid yet very
credible, such that the 90 minutes or so pass by without the
viewer barely noticing.
Some scenes could have been edited a bit better, as perhaps some
will fast forward them, due to momentary boredom.
In depicting a full, varied range of emotions, this movie is
extremely well written, acted out, and filmed.
Finally, I did not recognize Stockard Channing until I read the
credits, as she looked quite a bit differently, in the other
film, SMOKE. Like all of the cast, great job.
Movie Review: The Heart's all there and more
Summary: 5 Stars
Hearing about the story initially, about the book being on Oprah andgetting good reviews, I thought that it would be decent, but alsoknowing that creative licenses would be used in making a movie adaptedfrom a book. When I saw the movie, it did exceed my expectations; thismovie contained characters that were very much real- they were humanand made mistakes in their lives, but with courage and strength theypressed on and ultimately succeeded; there were many funny moments inthe stor; for the first time movie director, Matt Williams did acommendable job (the production crew produced Tim Allen's HomeImprovement series); Natalie Portman was very good, Ashley Juddshined, and James Frain was good as Forney, albeit he looks a bit oldto be with young Portman; the Asian riding the bike across in thebackground at Forney's college when he is running after Natalie wasreally good...; all in all this was a decent movie; the DVD was nicelydone, quality was very good, extras were decent, with the music videofrom the Warren Brothers, trailers, etc. This was a good movie, go buyit! Now onto more tidbits about the college that Forney was at whichNatalie visited at the end of the movie.... Well, this was aninteresting experience to speak of. They filmed the 2nd to last sceneat my university back two summers ago, and I got the privilege ofbeing an extra and catching a glimpse of the whole movie productionscene. The hours were long but it was fun; I actually got to have ascene where Natalie was walking down one of our hallways and I walkedaway from the camera and walked right by her...; Anyways, it was veryinteresting to see a movie in the making; now go buy the DVD!Movie Review: Home is Where the Heart Is
Summary: 5 Stars
Where the Heart Is is a touching film about a young girl(Natalie Portman)who finds herself alone, and pregnant after her boyfriend abandons her at a Wal-Mart. With nowhere to go, and only five dollars to live off of, she has no choice but to make a home in the Wal-Mart. Hiding in the bathroom at closing time, and at opening, she spends the last few months of her pregnancy in the store, undetected. After she delivers "The Wal-Mart Baby" she has the help of her new friends to help her get back on her feet. During her journey she learns new things, forms many new friendships and finds out what true love really is. Along the way, she meets Thelma Husband,(Stockard Channing), a recovering alcoholic with a cheery spirit; Forney, the librarian; and Lexi Coop(Ashley Judd). This movie proves that, "Home is where your history begins, and where the heart is."This film is a very warm movie full of compassion, and is a great Comedy-Drama. This movie may sound like a "Chick Flick", but it really isn't. This movie teaches you a lot of lessons about life, and will indeed bring a smile to your face. Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd give a great performance, with brilliant acting. The plot of the movie is not grim and depressing, it is the exact opposite. The plot is also simple, but still gives out a lot of meaning. Love, laughter and some tears are shown through the plot, but still is smooth going and very easy to understand.
The DVD also has great special features. You can watch the "That's the Beat of a Heart" music video sung by the Warren Brothers featuring Sara Evans, and see the theatrical trailers and TV spots.
Movie Review: Life in Small Town America
Summary: 5 Stars
I had my doubts about this movie, I have to admit. I rented it before I bought it, but it only took me five minutes to realize this is a keeper. I thought Natalie Portman's portrayal of Novalee Nation was dead-on right; this girl has the gift of making us believe she really IS the character and not just an actor giving the part lip-service. I have to give very high marks to Ashley Judd, too, as her Lexie definitely has the right touch of independence and vulnerability that is rare in movies these days. But the real scene stealers are Stockard Channing and James Frain. Channing's Sister Husband is just so ... funny, so interesting, so loveable. I laughed every time she prayed for forgiveness! And James Frain ... the best friend any girl would want, the man so many of us look for throughout our lives ... you find yourself HOPING long before the end of the movie that he and Novalee get together.
The nicest thing about this movie is that the vulnerability is written into each character. It's there, just below the surface, but the underlying strength and determination of each of them to make a better life is the basis of the friendship. True to small town life, each of them knows what's going on in the others' lives and the friendships are real, solid, strong, and true. Yes, it's a feel-good movie ... a chick-flick, if you like. But the basic fact is that it isn't about flash, glitz, glammer or excitement. It's about people who care for one another, who want to be there for each other. It's about LIFE!