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Where the Heart Is

Where the Heart Is (2000)

April. 27,2000
|
6.7
|
PG-13
| Drama Comedy Romance

Novalee Nation is a 17-year-old Tennessee transient who has to grow up in a hurry when she's left pregnant and abandoned by her boyfriend on a roadside, and takes refuge in the friendly aisles of Wal-Mart. Eventually, some eccentric but kindly strangers 'adopt' Novalee and her infant daughter, helping them buck the odds and build a new life.

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Reviews

Plantiana
2000/04/27

Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

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Hayden Kane
2000/04/28

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

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Loui Blair
2000/04/29

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

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Gary
2000/04/30

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

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Ocean Girl
2000/05/01

I'm watching this on Lifetime right now and apparently the scenes with Joan Cusack have been totally cut from the movie. I love Joan Cusack and was looking forward to seeing her in this because otherwise this movie is total crap.

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tieman64
2000/05/02

"Home is the nicest word there is." - Laura Wilder The directorial debut of Matt Williams, and based on a novel by Billie Letts, "Where the Heart Is" stars Natalie Portman as Novalee, a pregnant 17 year old who is abandoned by her boyfriend at an Oklahoman Walmart.Part drama, part fairy tale, part farcical comedy, "Heart" watches as Novalee blossoms from a scatterbrained teenager to a successful photographer. Along the way she befriends Lexie Coop (Ashley Judd), a young nurse. Both women learn self-worth, to be wary of life's many dangers, and that even those with terrible backgrounds can create their own safe, surrogate families. In "Where the Heart is", "home" is a rehabilitation project that friends and loved ones embark upon together.Unashamedly a Hollywood crowd-pleaser, "Where the Heart Is" was panned by critics. Still, despite a hokey "tornado sequence", a corny "sex scene" and an overly glamorous (but nevertheless endearing) Natalie Portman, it's a fast and cute film. Always going unexpected places, Williams' script boats fine dialogue, and co-stars the lovable Joan Cusack. 8/10 - See "Frozen River".

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joneslorna
2000/05/03

Not going to say much except that if you love romantic, happy ending movies, this one is for you. Starts off kind of somber when the main character is left behind by her worthless boyfriend, is forced to live in a store, and is abandoned by her scheming mother. But then the story does an about turn. Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing, Joan Cusack and James Frain were excellent choices for this warm tale of finding one's place. Just leaves you smiling and feeling great! And Natalie Portman is a great actress. She authentically captures that whole laid back "Southern gal" thing. This movie will make you laugh, cry, sigh with happiness and root for the underdog. 2 Thumbs Way Up!

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Steve Pulaski
2000/05/04

Where the Heart Is is definitely one of the sadder movies I've seen and it's also one of the more "true to life stories". Emotionally effective teen girls, teen pregnancy, lost hope, and lack of parental support is sadly a part of today's society and this movie shows life isn't A-OK all the time. There are downsides, upsides, and even a zig-zagging path that comes along in life. This movie shows that something good can lead to something bad in a heartbeat, and while tragic, the movie sometimes eases up, but you can tell simultaneously really wants to have a good story and scenes that stay true to life's unpredictable set up.Natalie Portman is amazing in this. No other female actress could portray a role of gratitude, emotion, and bring life to the character in a way she did on screen in this. Her acting skills flow fluently throughout this movie and it makes you cringe at points when stuff goes unexpectedly. Its a sad movie. But it's a beautiful sad movie, not like a movie that is so miserable its unenjoyable. Where the Heart Is also doesn't establish a droning effect which most movies include now. Its fluent and highly realistic.Novalee Nation (Portman) is a pregnant 17 year old fleeing with her boyfriend from Tennessee to California. When Novalee stops at Wal-Mart, her boyfriend abandons her and leaves her stranded. Novalee makes Wal-Mart her shelter after being locked in after closing when going in the bathroom because of sickness due to her pregnancy. She lives undetected for an unbelievable six weeks. Novalee meets a young man named Forney (James Frain) who's life was in jeopardy because of his alcohol addiction and his choice to dropout of college.Novalee goes into labor and gives birth in the Wal-Mart and becomes a celebrity for her actions of sheltering in the store. Novalee wakes up in the hospital where she names her baby Americus showing she is a strong women of many talents. Much to her surprised, Novalee gets an unexpected visit from her mother (Sally Field) who agrees to hold to the $500 given to Novalee from the president of Wal-Mart and to have them both share an apartment. However after agreeing to pick her up the next day, the mother flees with the $500 leaving Novalee and Americus stranded.The events go on and on to the point that its hard to leave off on just one without spoiling something else. Its definitely a movie with twists and turns of the many, but the twists and turns never go the way you'd expect. For an underrated, solemn drama it has great potential which it lives up too. It also goes on the record for being one of the saddest movies I've seen next to Bicentennial Man and My Girl. Where the Heart Is has a heart and it's not afraid to use it at all in this film.Starring: Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing, Sally Field, and Joan Cusack.

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