User Reviews

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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

WHERE THE HEART IS (2000) ** Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing, Joan Cusack, James Frain, Dylan Bruno, Keith David, Sally Field. Portman gives one of her finer performances as a naïve Oklahoman pregnant teen who is abandoned by her loser white trash boyfriend (Bruno) and after giving birth in a local Wal-Mart is welcomed by sweet yet loopy earth mother type Channing and sister by spirit, Judd, who is also a mother of unwed disposition in this trying comedy/drama.

Although the cast is game enough I disliked it's male bashing and painstaking screenplay by Babaloo Mandel & Lowell Ganz – who've done way better in their track record of yore – adapting the novel by Billie Letts. If I was a young woman I'd be highly offended in its confusing message of self-fulfillment/empowerment by suggesting women in the end must rely on men, be a victim, act slutty and surprised when they are abused and obviously are blind to the ones they're destined to be when they're right under their collective noses. (Dir: Matt Williams)

Great family film and beyond heartwarming! A nice story about having a baby in a unique location and accepting any support possible. A fair bit of romance, beautiful scenery, and supportiveness all around - not a bad one at all.

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.

This is my wife's favorite movie and it almost makes me physically ill to watch this celebration of victimhood. The "heroine" is a perfect example of a taker. She is oblivious to the wants and needs of those around her, while taking advantage of them for her own benefit. Her only positive quality seems to be that she is cute. You never see her giving of herself, either to those who have given to her or to those she meets who are in less fortunate circumstances. I know that some viewers will think that I'm being harsh, but if you feel this way, then I suggest that you rewatch the movie and make a note of each time she does a selfless thing or tries to pay someone back for what she has received from them. She basically wanders through the film in an airheaded daze..."Oh, was that guy doing all those things and taking care of my baby because he liked me? OK, I'll give him a mercy-f*** and then dump him. Oh, am I in trouble because I was screwing around with cute but irresponsible hunks? Yeah, think I'll start up the same thing with the guy I ran into at the service station." Very morally twisted.

Follow-up: My wife thinks I'm too harsh. But think about this...Who demonstrates the most care and concern for the daughter? "Sister" or you-know-who? What does she do when she saves a little money? How does she respond to those situations where everybody else picks her up at work, gives her clothes or personal items, gives her a place to live, or leaves her money? Is she truly remorseful about stealing from Wal-Mart?

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.

Why on earth would she not just call her friends after being stranded??

I would be so offended by this movie if I was a Southerner. This just hits every single bad stereotype of the south. The people are portrayed as ignorant, uninformed, fanatically religious, country music lovin', mullet-wearin', trailer livin' white trash hicks who just drop out of school and breed uncontrollably. How ignorant can these people be? Have these people never heard of birth control???? Planned Parenthood... hello?? Do these towns not have social services that could help a stranded single mother (well if it's in a republican area, maybe they don't).

I hated and despised every single character (well maybe not the librarian guy).

As if the offensive portrayals weren't enough, the constant references and portrayals of Walmart just made it one big product placement ad for the exploitative corporation.

This is the 1st time I am giving, "10 Stars," for a movie! I had this movie in the closet for some time thinking it was a bust of a, "want to be," Hallmark movie. It wasn't! Watching this movie today in this generation is truly remarkable to find a great movie with a wonderful storyline. Considering it was made in (2000), this movie has to be considered phenomenal now and days. This is a must watch for movie goers!

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.

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.

How I have fun watching this! Every five minutes, there's a cliche. A BAD cliche. When something seems to go well for poor little Natalie, hop : there's goes a bad vibe! Of course, there's an alcoolic, a tornado, the guy who wants to be famous in California, a baby named Americus (Gosh...) and it ends with a wedding. What else? So much! Every time, my girlfriend and I were laughing and shouting : No! No! Stop that! It's ridiculous! It reminds me of the Italian melodramas of the early 1950's, or the USA Z movies of the same 1950's. Reminds me a lot of these awful soap opera of the afternoon. And worse than everything : it is very very conservative. This is the new Dearest Momie.