Places in the Heart (1984)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Robert Benton

Writer:

Robert Benton (written by)

Release Date:

21 September 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The story of a woman fighting for her children, for her land, for the greatest dream there is...the future.

Plot:

In 1930's Southern US, a widow and her family try to run their cotton farm with the help of a disparate group of friends.

Plot Keywords:

Farm | Blind | Sheriff | Texas | 1930s

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Sally Field	...	Edna Spalding
Lindsay Crouse	...	Margaret Lomax
Ed Harris	...	Wayne Lomax
Amy Madigan	...	Viola Kelsey
John Malkovich	...	Mr. Will
Danny Glover	...	Moze
Yankton Hatten	...	Frank Spalding
Gennie James	...	Possum Spalding
Lane Smith	...	Albert Denby
Terry O'Quinn	...	Buddy Kelsey
Bert Remsen	...	Tee Tot Hightower
Ray Baker	...	Sheriff Royce Spalding
Jay Patterson	...	W.E. Simmons
Toni Hudson	...	Ermine
De'voreaux White	...	Wylie (as Devoreaux White)

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Iceland:L | West Germany:12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

Ellis County, Texas, USA

Company:

Delphi II Productions

Trivia:

Sally Field's heartfelt Oscar acceptance speech for this film has often been misquoted over the years. Here it is verbatim: "This means so much more to me this time, I don't know why. I think the first time I hardly felt it because it was all too new. But I want to 'thank you' to you. I haven't had an orthodox career. And I've wanted more than anything to have your respect. The first time I didn't feel it. But this time I feel it. And I can't deny the fact that you like me... right now... you like me. Thank you."

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The guitar-player picker is using a C.F. Martin "Dreadnought" guitar that was not invented at the time of the film. The guitar is fitted with Gover Tuners, which were not marketed until the early 1960s.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Edna Spalding: [seeing her daughter's doll at the dinner table] Possum, put that up now.
Royce Spalding: Our Heavenly Father, bless this meal and all those who are about to receive it. Make us thankful for Your generous bounty, and Your unceasing love. Please remind us, in these hard times, to be grateful for what we have been given, and not to ask for what we can not have. And make us mindful of those less fortunate among us, as we sit at this table with all of Thy bounty. Amen.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing (2004)

Soundtrack:

In The Garden

If you are undergoing personal challenges this is a good film to watch.

At the time this film was released I was 20 years younger. I liked it but it did not stay in my memory of good movies to watch. I just saw it again today and could not leave my seat. Was it the story? Yes. Was it the acting? Yes. More than anything it was the situations that the characters faced. Art imitating life and doing a very good job of it.

What I liked most is that I did not think that the performances took away from the story. It's about how your life can change in a split second. Change in a way that challenges you to look at yourself deeply. It's about personal values. It is the type of story that moves me most these days. Stories about humans. It is a stunning film.