moonspinner55 Review of Places in the Heart

Places in the Heart (1984)

'Tender' and redemptive; flawed, though reasonably well-acted

[6/10 · 22 March 2007]

There are a few scenes in writer-director Robert Benton's "Places in the Heart" where Sally Field bats her eyes and smiles one of those private little shy smiles of hers that faintly scream "Adorable!" and one wonders if the other actresses nominated for an Oscar that year even stood a chance. Field is full of feisty gumption and resilience in this rural weeper, one tinged with regret and spiritual redemption. Texas widow with two young 'uns is struggling to make ends meet during the Depression after her husband is accidentally killed by a drunk juvenile. She takes in a blind boarder and learns from a drifter about raising cotton on her land, something she must do to save her home from being taken by the bank. Benton said his story was autobiographical; perhaps, but it is also commercial-cute and cozy when need be. Ultimately, it's been designed to show off its leading lady, and Field is given ample room to bloom. Her Edna Spalding is woman who learns to let her guard down and trust people again (but no one has trouble trusting her, she's that adorable). She's initially skeptical of Danny Glover's drifter, wary of John Malkovich's handicapped boarder, and seemingly indifferent to her sister's marriage problems (her husband's a cheat); however, when the chips are down and cotton needs to be picked under the blazing hot sun, everyone turns up for Edna. Benton believes whole-heartedly in neighbor-helping-neighbor--and, as the film closes, forgiveness being the key to Life. Seven Oscar nominations with two wins: Field for Best Actress and Benton for his original screenplay. **1/2 from ****