Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-17 13:30:53

Incredible Movie

This is one of the BEST movies I have ever seen. A MUST HAVE for any collection.

Lois Bennett 2012-05-16 22:52:52

A remarkable movie from start to finish.

I watched this movie because from the short synopsis on Sky's informationpage it sounded as though it would be a good one. Plus Sally Field andJohnMalkovich are two of my favourite actors.And it was a good one. Not once throughout the course of the film did Ifind myself glancing at the clock in boredom. It's a remarkable movie fromstart to finish, although I must admit - the end scene somewhat confusesme.The movie in short, a woman (Sally Field) is widowed and will be forced tosell her farm unless she can pay off the debts her husband left. The movieis set in 1935, and the woman takes the advice of a Negro traveller (playedby Danny Glover) and sows acres of cotton. She also takes in a blind man(John Malkovich) as a border to make a few extra dollars. The events whichfollow are extremely well written, and excellently played by the chosencast. Sally Field is the perfect choice for the role that she plays, as areDanny Glover and John Malkovich, who is ever so believable as a blindman.I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to others. If you enjoyheart-warming, touching stories, you'll definitely enjoy thisone.

Vincent Canby 2012-05-14 15:20:43

Out of the memories of his boyhood in Waxahachie, Tex., during the Great Depression, and within the unlikely tradition of the old-fashioned ''mortgage'' melodrama, Robert Benton has made one of the best films in years about growing up American.

James L. 2012-05-14 01:40:21

Sensitive and carefully staged story

The basic plot: A tough widow raises her two children through the depressionwith black man Moze and blind man Mr. Will, making attempts to growcotton.The praise:Beautifully and timelessly staged , it has a poignancy as itpainstakingly recalls a tornado ,cotton planting,Edna spanking Frank, acountry dance, and a death.The performances are great, especially in the cases of Sally Field, DannyGlover,John Malkovich,Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, and Lindsay Crouse.These makethe movie believable. It also has beautiful photography and a bizzarelyreverant ending.Recommended.

bkoganbing 2012-05-05 16:40:02

Our Own Blessed Assurance Of A Beautiful Garden Of Fellowship

When Robert Benton wrote and directed Places in the Heart he createdhis own Citizen Kane. Like Orson Welles he will spend the rest of hislife trying to better it and won't succeed.Places in the Heart takes place in Waxahachie, Texas in 1935 and ourdirector was born there in 1932. The film is a personal vision of hischildhood in that small Texas town. It bears a whole lot of resemblanceto To Kill a Mockingbird, except that the adult protagonist is not awidower lawyer, but the widowed wife of a sheriff left to fend forherself after her husband is killed.Benton creates his characters with a loving hand, but that does notmean he doesn't see the flaws in the people there, the racism, thesexism, the hypocrisy and the pettiness. Field's husband, Ray Baker, iskilled by a drunken black man accidentally. Killing a law enforcementofficial probably would have gotten him legally executed in any event,but the town administers its own brand of justice to the perpetrator.That being said, it still doesn't solve the problem of a woman who hasno education or training to support herself and her family. Sally getsthe idea to grow cotton on the few acres her husband left her and getsa pair of strange allies in John Malkovich and Danny Glover to helpher.Glover is an itinerant hobo who is the one who if he knows anythingknows cotton from his sharecropping background. He's who really holdsthe family together in the crisis. John Malkovich is a blind man whosebrother-in-law is unctuous town banker, Lane Smith, who essentiallydumps him on Field because he doesn't want to care for him. Malkovichwho was nominated for Best Supporting Actor proves to be a faithfulfriend.Lindsay Crouse was nominated for Best Supporting Actress as Field'ssister. There's a subplot in the film involving her and herphilandering husband Ed Harris.Robert Benton won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and wasnominated for Best Director and Sally Field won her second Oscar forPlaces in the Heart. Her character isn't as feisty as her first Oscarwinner, Norma Rae, but Edna Spalding certainly has the same grit.Period country and gospel music make up the soundtrack for Places inthe Heart. Old line Protestant hymns Blessed Assurance begins the filmand In The Garden is the theme for the surreal ending.I can't describe the ending except that it is one of the most beautifulin the history of cinema. It's a vision of what promise we have eitherin heaven or a utopia we make on earth where the things that dividehumankind are washed away and we are in fellowship with each other andour Maker.You have to have a heart of diamond if you are not moved by Places inthe Heart.

Zack Schulz 2012-05-05 08:57:41

Recommendable for a Few Remarkable Scenes

"Places in the Heart" is an enjoyable film that kept me entertainedthroughout the movie. The characters were convincing and believable,none of them were absolutely perfect. I mention this because manymovies give us a 'hero' that has positively no flaws in the personalityand everybody is supposed to love him. In this story we are lead tobelieve that Moze, an African-American cotton picker that helps themain character bring a steady income into her household, is our 'hero.'Yet at the beginning he tries to steal silverware.The story gives us a traditional formula that has been passed downthrough many generations. We are introduced to the Spaldings, a simplefamily going through the Great Depression. The father, Royce, is therespected town sheriff. His wife, Edna (Sally Field), is an independentwoman who wants to do the best for her children, Possum and Frank. On astandard call for a drunken child, Royce is accidentally shot andpasses away, leaving Edna all alone without financial support to helpher family.The town seems to show Edna a great amount of compassion, but thatimage is a lie. Her banker suggests that she sell her house, which isall she has. People pretend to comfort her, yet go off to party secondsafter. Normally this would work but I couldn't tell if this was thefilmmakers' intent. When Edna is down at her worst, an African-Americanstranger named Moze (Danny Glover) asks her for work. She is hesitantand awkward. She offers him breakfast but that's it. During thebreakfast Moze suggests to Edna that her land would be perfect forplanting cotton, and that he could show her how. She gives him a sternno, but the audience can sense that she is definitely thinking aboutit.She gives the idea to her banker, who is extremely reluctant. He givesher bills showing the dropping progress of other cotton-pickers. Shedecides that she is desperate enough to trust Moze and they startplanting the cotton. Meanwhile there is constant social problems goingon with her kids, but like the many other subplots in this film, we aresimply not interested in this trouble. Edna also takes in a blind mannamed Mr. Will (John Malkovich) to help pay the bills. Together theybecome a family; a strange, diverse family.So this all sounds like a good plot, and I was interested in this plot.Unfortunately that is not the only story we have to worry about. Thisfilm shares half its time with a plot between Edna's sister, MargaretLomax (Lindsey Crouse), and her cheating husband Wayne Lomax (EdHarris). The movie jumps in between these two stories, each giving themone scene after another. The problem is that we don't need this otherplot. In fact, we're just not interested in it. The other plot could bea whole movie for all I cared. This extra plot gives the movie arunning time of almost 2 hours. The main plot between Edna and her farmoften seems rushed and quickly played out, which could be avoided ifthis other plot were ceased to be. There is two scenes were theplantation is on the verge of destruction, yet the next scene it isdoing just fine, without any explanation of how the characters wereable to fix the fields.As I mentioned in my review title, this movie has some remarkablescenes, which give us a good movie. At the risk of giving too much of aspoiler, I will tell you that I have 3 favorite scenes in this movie,and one of those scenes is the last scene in the movie, which hasgotten mixed reviews from other people. Either they say that it wasvery well-done and emotional, or that it was confusing and random. Iloved the last scene because the camera-work and idea brought us intoanother world. A world that we wish we lived in now. A world notobstructed by racism. Where forgiveness is a common trait shared byall. It reminds us that we can all achieve this world, if we simplystopped hating others.Besides the second plot, my biggest problem with this movie was thatnothing was resolved. Again, I do not want to give anything away, butthe spectacular ending scene came too early. The second plot was moreresolved than the first, which ultimately gave me a sense ofdisappointment. Everything was perfect; well-built characters,audience-hooking plot, beautiful film-work, great acting, but noresolution.However, even with all its downfalls, the viewer will most likely putthis movie down as a classic, if not one that they certainlyremembered. I recommend you rent this one if possible.-Z. Schulz

mark worrell 2012-05-01 17:42:39

One of the best American films

POSSIBLE SPOILER This film is extraordinary simply because it isoutstandingly written, directed and acted. During the closing scene,which perplexes some, I literally gasped out loud the first time that Isaw it in a theater. At the time, I was writing reviews for anart/music magazine, and the experience was totally unexpected. I wentfive consecutive nights and took a different friend, parent, or familymember each night. We discussed those closing images for months.Every actor excels in accomplishment, even the minor ones, such as LaneSmith as the banker, Jay Patterson as Sheriff Royce Spaulding, andespecially Ray Baker as W.E. Simmons, the ever-righteous and arrogantKlan member. These people are as memorable as those we meet and get toknow in our own lives, and they stay with us through our lifetimes,just like Charles Foster kane, Elwood P. Dowd, and Scarlett O'Hara, andso many, many important others from the celluloid world. If they handedout Academy Awards for minor roles (why don't they; they give everyoneelse one?) all three of these actors would have won. Lindsay Crouse wasnominated for Best Supporting actress, Sally Fields won Best Actress,and Robert Benton took the prize for Best Screenplay. It was alsonominated for Best Costume Design, Best Director, and the Best Pictureof the Year.The scene of Edna Spaulding negotiating a price for her cotton withW.E. Simmons, the Klansman, who thinks he will bulldoze the poor widowfor some extra profit, is a treasure all in and of itself.The affair, also perplexing and out of place for many commentators, isessential; it truly cements in the viewers eye (and before the eye ofthe storm crashes in)how the pressure of small town life is closing inaround the throat of Amy Madigan's character, Viola Kelsey, a pressuremostly created by her own choices. Her lover, Wayne Lomax (Ed Harris),husband to Edna Spaulding's (Sally Fields) sister (Lindsay Crouse), isjust as frustrated, but far more self-destructing and willing to riskit all for what amounts to nothing, even as he dreams about it beingmore. The film shows the shedding of values and commitments for alittle hankypanky that is just as destructive realistically as thetornado or the Klan. Maybe more so, which I think was the point ofBenton's adding it as a subplot. Viola may blame the storm for herobsessive desire to get out of town, but the male characters and theaudience know better.Each character, such as John Malkovich's obsession with his preciousrecords, has a special something they prize and hold onto, buteventually find valueless in the process of surviving with those aroundthem. Danny Glover's Moze, though, is forced by the Klan to give up themost richly given gift in the movie; friendship and the comfort of ahome that he loves, because he has been spiritually loved there.The lethal tornado, outside of themselves and their decisions, is theonly real monster in the lives of these good and hardworking Americans.The Depression is just a condition they live with. The bank and thebanker (Lane Smith) make life tough while meaning to be helpful, butEdna Spaulding's determination is stronger than a vault of steel.Mother Nature provides the tornado, and the Klan provides the bad guy.Willy, the boy who shoots the sheriff, is actually his friend, or asmuch of one that a young black person could have been to a whitesheriff in 1935 Texas. When he reappears in the communion scene thatends the film, so much is implied by his presence, and that of thedeceased husband, that the true value of our lives and the things weshare becomes explicit without a single word being said about it. Myinitial gasp was genuine, audible, and shocking to myself. This film isan artistic achievement rarely matched, and is on a personal list ofthe top 20 American films ever made. As stated, like any great film,the characters remain with you just like real people you have actuallyknown. There isn't a weak moment of writing or acting in the entirefilm.

James Sanford 2012-05-01 07:17:41

quiet drama that settles into the memory like a story Grandma might tell

DixieDenise 2012-04-30 14:42:22

My all-time favorite movie!

This movie could not be better. Each character is so developed and eachactor fits the character to perfection. Do not miss stellar performancesbySally Field, John Malcovich, Danny Glover, Ed Harris, and all theothers.

2012-04-30 01:27:50

Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful!

This is one of my all-time favourites since I watched this movie more than 20 years ago. I recently found this movie DVD from a public library and was so excited that I can watch it again now! Even it is my second time to watch this movie, I am still deeply moved by it!The story of this movie took place in the rural Texas when racial discrimination was still a very serious social issue. Sally Fields is the widow Edna whose husband, a sheriff, was shot while on duty by a Black teenager. Her husband left nothing to her because of the Great Depression of the time. She all the sudden has to face the adversity of the real life - how to maintain her home and raise her two childs without any real financial supports.At this time, a Black guy Moses came to ask for a job but eventually becomes her saviour during this most difficult time of her life. There is a blind man, Mr. Will, was "dumped" to her home as a tenant in order to help getting some rental. During the movie, there are times when the Black guy Moses is so strong, and the blind man Mr. Will is so helpless (e.g. in the cotton field and during the storm). However, there are also other times when it is exactly the opposite (e.g. the KKK incident). All in all, without giving away the plot, I would say that every part of the plot of this movie is wonderfully and tightly knitted together. Every incident in this movie does not happen just for filling up the time but for a purpose - in fact, a very meaningful purpose. It shows that every individual as a human being is simply equal, regardless you are a Black person, a blind man, a widow, or a White man in a society such as this. It further dreams of an ultimate reconciliation - between the different races, social outcasts, and even the murdered and the murderer. The ending is particularly powerful. In fact, it is the most stunning ending I have ever seen. It is symbolic and it is deeply moving. However, in order to fully appreciate that, you will have to watch the movie from the start to the end without jumping so that you will get a glimpse of what the final reconciliation really means in this story. Also, when you watch this movie, pay special attention to the beginning. As another reviewer rightly pointed out, the beginning and the ending forms a wonderful contrast.I will give this movie a six-stars if possible! Not only for the beautiful story, but also for the wonderful performance of all the three lead roles and even the two kids. There are not too many other movies as moving and meaningful as this one.

2012-04-27 05:56:27

dvd

This review is from: Places in the Heart (DVD) This is an excellent movie. The actors/actresses in it are perfect. The movie stays with you long after it's finished.

2012-04-26 19:06:23

I love this movie.

Thank you for being so prompt sending this movie. I have a tour companyand we had a trip out west for 12 days. I showed this movie on the motorcoach which was appropriate for the old west review. Everybody lovedit.Southern Comfort Tours

Rich Cline 2012-04-26 00:29:24

moving and inventive

katzinoire 2012-04-25 14:25:10

Possum and Mr. Wills

My favorite relationship in the film is Possum and Mr. Wills. He's sobitter because he assumes everyone will treat him different because heis blind. Possum misses having a father figure in the house-you noteshe went to Mr. Wills excited and fearful for her brother's punishmentfor smoking. And Mr. Will's first concern when the tornado winds blewopen the window on the second floor was that Possum was OK. The momentwhen Mr. Wills nervously calls for Possum is frightening, as you assumeshe didn't make it, seeing the small, scared hand grasp Mr. Wills youbreathe a sigh of relief as he does and he finds himself in theposition of being the comforter, strength not being a weak blindman-and he actually allows Possum to lead him to the storm-not fightingsomeone offering help. Amazing to me, even now......

runamokprods 2012-04-23 09:21:49

Faded a bit from my memories of it's 1st release, but still a strong film

I was sad to find I didn't love this as much as I had remembered fromits release nearly 30 years ago. The acting is terrific, and the film looks great. But the main plot haselements of familiar melodramatic clichés that bugged me more now in away they didn't in 1984. The race to save the farm, and the 'we'll doit despite the odds!' dialogue felt a little too Hollywood this timearound, as did the 'perfect' gallery of downtrodden, oppressedoutsiders (the single mother, the African-American, the blind man). At the same time, the subplot of the romantic triangle between EdHarris, Lindsay Crouse and Amy Madigan, while wonderfully acted, reallyseemed to have very little at all to do with the rest of the film. That said, all the acting (Sally Field, Danny Glover, John Malcovich)is terrific, and the details of time and place are rich and vivid isslightly (intentionally) softened by the haze of the passing years(Benton grew up in the town where the story takes place). And that wonderful long last shot, which gives the whole film a largercontext, is still a powerful and brave way to end a story.

PO'D 2012-04-23 02:46:28

HEART WARMING

This fantastic movie centers around a woman whose husband is accidentally killed, and how she must figure out how to keep her house and her land. Sally Field won Best Actress as this woman, and, in fact, the entire cast is worthy of Oscars: John Malkovich as a fuss-budget blind mad who becomes a border in her home, and Ed Harris and Lindsay Crouse, as a troubled married couple. Full of terrific scenes and nail-biting suspense, too. This is one of the Greatest Films of All Time. You should just go ahead and add it to your DVD collection.

2012-04-20 17:45:53

I really like SALLY FIELD (oscar Speech)

This film is the touching story of Edna Spaulding fight to keep her home and children after her husband is killed by a drunk with a gun.A little story about the way i think.When there is something tuff in my life I think of this movie.And how you can do any thing if you have to do it.The most touching part of the movie is when Edna's picking cotton and how her hand's are cut from the thorn's of the cotton buds.And how she is crying from the memory of her husband it makes me cry just watching that scene.Also the acting by Lindsey Crouse is touching as Edna's younger sister.I just wish the DVD had extra with it.But i didnt buy it for the extra's.I bought it because I love this movie from the heat.Sally will always be special in my Heart.By the way i named My Pom puppy after her.SALLY PUMPKIN.

Roger Ebert 2012-04-20 10:40:26

[Benton's] memories provide the material for a wonderful movie, and he has made it, but unfortunately he hasn't stopped at that. He has gone on to include too much.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat 2012-04-20 13:09:34

Emotionally affecting film about struggling through adversity and living with hope in a small Texas town during the 1930s.

2012-04-19 23:43:28

Witness of Grief and Hope.

It is not easy to initiate a history from the side opposed to the hope, but this film exhibits of perfect way the fact that sometimes the defeat is necessary, in order to return to the life from ashes and to fortify the spirit. It is a clear example of a structured good history, which is divided clearly in stages that we could call "Grief and Hope", since from a principle everything seems dark for the protagonist. But thanks to their tenacity, it can leave ahead and improve a past that could project to the future. The good presentation of this audio-visual work to a great extent must to Sally Field and John Malkovich, that they take in its shoulders the thickness of history. Is totally recommendable allowing itself the privilege to see this movie. Only it has small errors in the script, but without getting to damage the narration.