User Reviews

This film is a bittersweet human-interest story with a side order of romance. The story has a country flavor, plenty of country music and a story that could serve as the film version of the typical lyrics of any country music CD. It is replete with bad decisions, bad luck and tragedies at every turn. It is sappy, corny, stereotypical, and unfortunately full of the types of things that really happen in rural America. Despite this seething despondency, it has an upbeat fatalism that suggests that at least for some of the people, the struggle against bad breaks and hard times pays off.

The story follows the life of Novalee Nation (Natalie Portman), poor young girl setting out to start a new life with her no account boyfriend. When Novalee makes a rest stop at a Wal-Mart in Oklahoma, he ditches her, literally leaving her there barefoot and pregnant. Having only five dollars to her name, she takes up residence in the Wal-Mart and ultimately has the baby there. She becomes a minor celebrity and she is adopted by the Welcome Wagon lady. The remainder of the film examines the various relationships and experiences she has in this small town over the next seven or eight years.

The story is charming and steeped in sentiment. The character development of Novalee is excellent, although Director Matt Williams could have spent more time on some of the supporting characters, especially Sister Husband (Stockard Channing). To his credit, the film was nicely shot, and the tornado scene was fabulous.

Natalie Portman's performance was her best to date. She played the part with a near helpless determination that made her a very attractive and lovable character. Her southern accent was terrible, but her portrayal of the rural southern attitude was on target. Though the part didn't have a lot of range, she was extremely effective with the emotional element, and elicited great sympathy and admiration for her response to her desperate situation.

Stockard Channing was wonderful as the eccentric Welcome Wagon lady. I would have liked to see this part expanded, just to see more of Channing. She was enchantingly warm and peculiar. James Frain was also very good as Forney. He made the character very interesting and affable. He continues to be a solid supporting actor who has shown himself to be extremely versatile (Hilary and Jackie, Reindeer Games, Titus). Ashley Judd added another fine performance to her resume, with a free spirited portrayal of Lexie.

This was a nice story with an agreeable and upbeat ending. I rated it a 7/10. Add a point if you are a woman or if you have ever lived in a mobile home. It will find its most enthusiastic audience with women due to its extreme sentimentality, but it is not so `female' that it can't be enjoyed by men, making it a good date movie.

A harmless little "chick flick"? Nothing more than an attempt by Natalie Portman to try anything before she's pigeon-holed in her Star Wars persona and can't get other roles because of it (a la Mark Hamill)? No, on both counts. Where the Heart Is will surely be labeled as a "chick flick", but the truth is that a good movie is a good movie, and a bad one a bad one, regardless of what its target demographic is. Where the Heart Is is nothing short of a very, very good film. The story is original and the acting and dialogue are outstanding. Natlie Portman may best be known as Queen Amidala, but she should be known as one of the best young actresses in the business. She simply shines in this movie. I recommend this film to everyone.

The journey that Natalie Portman's role makes in this film, from start to finish, is an inspiring one. The movie isn't a light comedy or a cheesy chick flick, but it also isn't too deep and dark either; it finds a middle ground. There's romance, the struggles of life, the deep issues of self worth, and people being there when you need them most. This film will leave you with a good feeling at the end!

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.

For the first 1:15 or so, I was really enjoying this sweet and funny movie about a young girl (Novalee, played by Natalie Portman) dealing with being pregnant and unmarried, who is abandoned by her boyfriend (Dylan Bruno) and takes up residence (unknown to anyone) in a local Wal-Mart. After giving birth to the baby in the store, she is swindled and abandoned by her mother (Sally Field) but survives and flourishes thanks to the kindness of some rather eccentric strangers.

So far, so good. Very enjoyable. But the last 45 minutes or so really unravelled rather quickly. I questioned the need to continually bring us back to Willie Jack's (the baby's father) attempts to get a singing career going. None of his scenes really served to advance the plot in any way, and quite frankly, the guy was a loser who abandoned his pregnant girlfriend. I didn't care what happened to him - even though some of what happened was poetic justice - and the movie could have been shortened by 20 or 30 minutes - without losing a thing - if all his scenes had been simply cut. I also felt that it was totally unnecessary to include (albeit - thankfully - only for a few minutes) a theme about child molestation. Where did that come from and why? It made a relatively enjoyable movie very heavy, and it was a heaviness that - for me at least - never really disappeared. The end of the movie (revolving around the relationship between Novalee and Forney (James Frain) was also telegraphed quite early on.

Having made those criticisms, the real highlight of the movie for me was Natalie Portman as Novalee. I wasn't familiar with this young actress until now, but she was marvellously cast as the sweet, innocent, naive young Novalee, and then showed a wonderful capacity to show her character evolve into a mature and independent young woman. (I have to say that, while the movie seemed to be trying to say she was a great mother, she seemed to spend a lot of time away from little Americus, but that's a minor point.) Portman was excellent, and I will look forward to seeing her again.

This rates a 6/10. Would have been higher, except for the weak second half.

Pregnant Novalee Nation (Natalie Portman) leaves the trailer park headed for Bakersfield with her inconsiderate boyfriend Willie Jack. She has a fear of the unlucky number 5. He abandons her at a Wal-Mart in Sequoyah, Oklahoma with $5.55 in her pocket. She is mistaken by eccentric local Sister Husband (Stockard Channing) for somebody else. She is befriended by photographer Moses Whitecotton (Keith David) and Forney Hull (James Frain). She starts living in the Wal-Mart and her daughter Americus is born in the aisles. She becomes an instant celebrity and befriends her nurse Lexie Coop (Ashley Judd). Her mother Mama Lil (Sally Field) comes to steal her money and abandon her a second time. She finds shelter with Sister Husband and a job at Wal-Mart. Meanwhile Willie Jack is arrested with a minor and writes a hit song. He becomes a music sensation until it all crashes down.

Natalie Portman is adorable but this movie is overloaded with random quirky characters and wacky incidents. This movie needs a great deal of simplification and my first cut would be Willie Jack's story. There are some endearing moments. I love Lexie's story about her new boyfriend Ernie who gave up his 1967 Chevy Camaro to gain custody of his stepdaughter. It's a simple story that tells so much. This is one movie where a cold-hearted hand needed to take control of the novel's conversion onto the big screen. It's trying to squeeze too much into the movie.

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.

There are plenty of good actors and actresses here (mainly actresses) including Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing, and James Frain. The story gets complicated throughout, but the main plot includes Portman as a pregnant 17-year old who becomes famous as the "Wall-Mart baby" after having a baby in a wall-mart. Good cast, but the story is excrutiatingly screwy and there are points where it's hard to distinguish comedy from drama from melodrama. Mainly a chick movie, but look for Sally Field in a cameo as Portman's showy mother. C

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.

Clearly, this is a movie written for women and carries a message: stop having children with numerous men who will not marry you, support you, and in the end beat you up!

Natalie Portman plays a young homeless pregnant teenager who somehow can sleep in a closed Wal-Mart store and not get caught! Doubtful that this could happen in real life. She is befriended by Ashley Judd who has a number of children and ends up getting beat up by one of her "boyfriends." Ashley, you did a convincing job cowering in the corner with blood running down your face. Most believable.

As always, Stockard Channing steals the show with her strong performance as Thelma 'Sister' Husband! Without Stockard there would not have been a "GREASE" so popular as it is. Ms. Channing is so strong a performer that one wonders why she does not perform in more starring roles. You are a silent heartthrob for this writer of your generation.

Special praise for Ms. Sally Field. You played a heel of a mother by showing up at the hospital and absconding with your daughter's money during her time of need. Yes, we believe that you were a terrible Mama Lil. Cold-hearted. Well done. It's not everyday that a woman gets to play such a louse!

OK! Mothers will want to watch this movie with their teenage daughters and impress upon them how not to select bad men for paramours and baby makers. Fathers will want to impress upon their sons that it's not the mark of a real man to beat up women or father children and not take care of their responsibilities.

Natalie Portman is a cutie. Now lets see someone write her a role with some strong dramatic lines to speak. Acting is more than being just pretty.

If one wants to be a comedian then tell funny stories and jokes and act in light comedy roles. If you sing, dance, or play an instrument then perform in musicals. If you like drama than take on roles whereby the audience will remember your intensity and stage presence. Act strong, act dramatic and powerful. Of course, the writers have to supply you the story and the dialog!

This movie is an excellent example of Hollywood's plot to slowly seduce you into a state of self-induced vegetation, pushing biliously sweet doses of clichéd, formulaic, underwhelming mediocrity through the IV, seeping into your bloodstream until your brain is paralyzed into a state of liquefied comatose mush- not unlike the very movie that induced it. Meanwhile, they slip their poisonous fingertips into your back pocket, robbing you blind of your money and your self-respect before leaving you to rot in your movie seat. If ever there was an antithesis to creativity, depth of thought or the honesty of human emotion, this cheap, exploitative farce of a film certainly takes the cake. Yes, it really is that bad. 0/10 stars.

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.

Well, among all the young actresses in Hollywood, Natalie really leads the pack, ahead of Angelina, Jessica. She has really this fragility and kindness that I crave. That's why the first half-hour of this movie is absolutely extraordinary: a pregnant young mother on her own in a supermarket has the stuff of the best fairy tale: With only a few words and a lot of expressions, Natalie told us her feelings in that hard time for her. This beginning has the same zen spirit as the future "Terminal" and it gave me the opportunity of having a glimpse of one of my dreams: i have always dreamed about getting stuck in a big supermarket and experience it all alone at night!

After the birth, the movie loses a bit of its charm: It turns into the life of simple people (rednecks?) in the country. The character of Natalie is mishandled because she doesn't act and have lines of a mother.

By luck, she met an extraordinary courteous knight. I didn't know this actor, James Fain, but he is really good and a bit similar to Tobey Maguire. In addition, his care about the single family is exactly what i lived not so long ago. Even as a friend, he is really attached to the child and is deep in love with the mother. The difference is that my story ends in another way because i never had the guts to ask the question as Fain did.

This film was a pleasant surprise. I know nothing about the author or the book, but the story is "cute" and it's told in a nice way. I'm sure there are many episodes that are great in the book but during the adaptation got a little messy (Ex. the guy and the train, the tornado, etc.)... Those parts could have been shot with more accuracy and another tone. Anyway, the film goes on, IMO the performances are very good, specially those of Portman, Judd and Cusack; and the music is fine too. I would recommend it for people who are not interested in digging too deep into the characters, but watching a nice melodrama with some sweet humorist brushes.

i love this movie so much. I thought it was gonna be a funny but stupid film. but it was totally opposite of it. The movie was very sweet and touching. people say that it's a fantasy movie or it's a really fake movie. but forget whole walmart and #5 thing. this movie is about relationship between people and people get what they deserve!

..the bloodhounds snapping at her rear end".

The above line was spoken by the great Thelma Ritter in "All About Eve" but she could have been talking about Novalee Nation in this movie.

It does not start out on an optimistic note for Novalee, as she is heavily pregnant but still abandoned by her loser boyfriend, and you never find out why he left. The movie would have you believe a kind librarian dove through a plate glass window at Wal Mart (where Novalee takes up residency after Mr. Wrong skips out...but for six weeks!!) in order to deliver her baby. Maybe George Lucas directed that sequence...because of the birth of her daughter on Aisle 4, Novalee becomes a celebrity and the darling of Wal Mart. Hard to swallow, no?

Anyway, after a very episodic start, which also includes Novalee's trashy Mother dumping on her too, the movie calms down a little and becomes somewhat bearable.

The subplot involving Mr. Wrong becoming a singer is hard to take, but it does introduce Joan Cusack to the movie, and she's like a breath of fresh air, even though she is seen very briefly.

Judd is very good as a woman who can't seem to stop having children, Stockard Channing is also good as a kind woman who befriends Novalee, and Keith David is a photographer who also becomes a friend.

The problem is not the acting, the problem is everything else.

What can really be said about a movie that can alter your world in just a few short hours? I went into this movie not exactly expecting much, mainly there because the amazing and beautiful Natalie Portman was starring in it. What I soon saw was a harmonious blend of love, sadness, hardship, and every human emotion I can even imagine. The only thing that eclipses the intense emotions you feel in this movie are the performances turned out by a perfectly assembled group of some of the finest actors out there. Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing, Joan Cusack, just to name a few. The only thing that should be keeping you from seeing this movie is...well, I can't even think of an excuse that should be keeping you from seeing this heart-warming and enchanting story. This movie has changed my life, as I am sure it will any others who are fortunate enough to view it.

My wife apologized profusely for insisting that we watch this. It was not a hard sell - we are both fans of Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd (perhaps me more so). I am no fan of Stockard Channing or Joan Cusack, but with two Oscar-nominated supporting actresses alongside Natalie and Ashley, I figured this really had to be all right. Right?

We assumed it would be hokey. The Wal-Mart thing pointed accurately to the intended demographic. The ad for the soundtrack before the feature began was an ominous sign. But I could never have expected these four women to involve themselves in something like this. I stayed silent about how awful it was for a while, afraid of ruining the film for my wife, whom I feared might be enjoying it. But when the wind picked up through the window while Novalee was sorting the wedding pictures, I could not refrain from yelling "twister!"

The tornado actually stood as a perfect metaphor for this movie - the dialogue was as subtle and manufactured as a Warner Brothers F4; the plot "twists" and turns as predictable as that studio tornado that creeps through miles of open country, but somehow is gonna wind up tearin' the house down and killing at least a dog. The only thing that surprised me was that

Americus was not sucked out of the storm cellar. I was vindicated, however: I had already predicted the Sister Husband woman was dead.

I was unfortunately right again when I guessed that this was an Oprah Book Club pick. I admire Oprah, and my wife insisted it was too bad for her to select. But my hunch was that no writing this bad could have made it to the big screen without the Oprah propaganda machine. I find it sad that this "touched" so many people, because if I understand the message, it is this: "Women are victims. They will be dumped on and abused until some moment of dumb luck leads to an epiphany that will land them in the arms of the 'right' man."

With a half hour left in the movie, we agreed that Forney was the only one holding up under the weight of this script. That was, until he started speaking more, and succumbed to the dialogue.

I don't care for Wal-Mart and I do read the New Yorker, which clearly pegs me as a cultural elitist liberal snob. So be it. I had never anticipated coming here to post comments about a movie, but something about this movie made me connect to the Internet before the credits rolled. It was as bad as anything I have seen since `How to Make an American Quilt,' another movie I watched against better judgment to see an actress I like.

I won't even mention Sally Field's scene.

Ashley Judd and Natalie Portman are wonderful actresses. See Ruby in Paradise and Beautiful Girls.

Natalie Portman is superb here. If there is anything that this actress is brilliant at, it's giving thankless characters a lot of emotional depth. This film is intelligent and well made, that is often moving. It isn't the best movie I have ever seen, but there are a lot of things that I really liked about this movie. There was some detailed direction, but it is the performances from the likes of Stockard Channing, Ashley Judd, Joan Cusack and Sally Field, that take centre stage. The principal characters are well developed and meaningful, however I do have two complaints of this movie. One is that it is overlong, and sometimes drags with the subplots. Secondly, the uneven script disallows the more minor characters to fully develop as they should do. Still, it is a well performed and well intended film, that I will award a 8/10. Bethany Cox.

Where The Heart Is is a heart warming, sentimental, sappy, predictable film that turns out to be a really good film due to the performances of Ashley Judd and Natalie Portman. The film plot probably read a lot better in the book than it appeared on celluloid. The tragedies that occur in and to the rural Oklahoma town seem to happen one right after another giving the audience of a "what could go wrong next" feeling. Ultimately though what is lasting is the performance of Portman in her first starring role showing what full use of her acting ability can accomplish. Although for me, Beautiful Girls is her best role to date.

I just saw this movie last night and I have never been so bored.There are so many unnecessary twist and turns in this horrific movie that you get so confused.Too many flash forwards!!!Although we have very good actors in this rubbish,their talents are just buried by bad dialouge and a film that has no direction.What was most puzzling is that for awhile,the movie gets of track of it's main character and starts focusing on someone else!It was too distracting.Please, save yourself the pain from seeing this movie. Guys,if your girlfriend/wife want to see this movie,try to weasel your way out of it!Offer her money,take her to a fancy restrurant,or even go spend the day with her folks!Anything to avoid spending 8.00 bucks on that film! A bunch of melodramtic tripe.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm a guy who enjoys the occasional "Chick flick" and I saw this one voluntarily. I can usually get quite involved in movies, I even cry during some of my favorites on que... which is about the only time you'll catch me, btw. I really love anything that makes me care about some imaginary characters for an hour and a half.

I rented this a week ago after hearing that it was good and that Natalie Portman did a great job (had to see that for myself), and that Ashley Judd did a great job... and blah blah blah... I'm never trusting those liars again!

I tried to watch it twice... emphasis on tried. The second time through it still couldn't hold my attention.. it was painful.. literally, my head hurt from the awfulness. The only character that brought humor and cleverness to the script was killed somehow during a tornado. At least that's what I eventually figured out. I never did figure out who this story was about, or if anything that happened was supposed to mean something to the audience. I think maybe I'm supposed to learn that women do the stupidest things all the time... that some of them are bound to choose a mate based on sexuality and then wonder why they're being abused and that a few lucky gems get wonderful men (at least they're convinced of that) and then either kick the bucket or tell these men to get lost because they're feeling unworthy. That was all that was to be learned by this movie... horrible insight at best. This movie doesn't do women (or anybody for that matter) justice.