Where the Heart Is (1990)

Stewart McBain (Coleman) is a real-estate mogul who spends his living blowing up old buildings to make room to erect new buildings. All goes as planned for a new subdivision, until a group ... See full summary »

Director:

John Boorman

Writers:

John Boorman, Telsche Boorman

Stars:

Dabney Coleman, Uma Thurman, Joanna Cassidy

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dabney Coleman	...	Stewart McBain
Uma Thurman	...	Daphne McBain
Joanna Cassidy	...	Jean
Crispin Glover	...	Lionel
Suzy Amis	...	Chloe McBain
Christopher Plummer	...	Shitty
David Hewlett	...	Jimmy
Maury Chaykin	...	Harry
Dylan Walsh	...	Tom
Ken Pogue	...	Hamilton
Sheila Kelley	...	Sheryl
Michael Kirby	...	Lionel's Father
Dennis Strong	...	Marvin X
Timothy Stickney	...	Marcus
Emma Woollard	...	Olivia

Storyline

Stewart McBain (Coleman) is a real-estate mogul who spends his living blowing up old buildings to make room to erect new buildings. All goes as planned for a new subdivision, until a group of protesters object to the destruction of one lonely, ugly building, called the Dutch House. Typically, the media is sent to the scene of the protest, and McBain appears on TV in a bad way. His children - Daphne (Thurman), Chloe (Amis), and Jimmy (Hewlett) - ridicule him for appearing on TV, and as a reward for their remarks, he drops them off at the Dutch House with $750 apiece, and tells them they're on their own. They must find jobs if they expect to make money to stay warm. McBain and his wife, Jean watch from afar as their children adapt to their new lifestyle, meeting new friends, and inviting others into their new home, including a decrepit bum.

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Plot Keywords:

bare breasts | pretending to be gay | homelessness | nude model | male nudity | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 February 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ahol a szív lakik

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$1,106,475 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV, Where the Heart Is

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Stewart McBain: My Heart? Home is where the heart is, and I've lost my home.

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Soundtracks

"Blue Moon Revisited (Song For Elvis)"
Written by Margo Timmins and Michael Timmins, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
Performed by Cowboy Junkies

User Reviews

A heartwarming masterpiece.

Pity the poor reviewer who disliked / didn't understand this wonderful film. What a sad life he must lead!

This movie has more to say about life and relationships than most I've ever seen, yet it's not dark or preachy like the "ordinary people" type of film. It is mostly humorous, though not technically a comedy.

The whole thing feels a little like a fantasy, perhaps Shakespear's "Midsummer Nights' Dream." Beautiful, intelligent women abound, with wonderful cinematography and a non-insulting screenplay that doesn't miss a beat.

I look forward to seeing it every time this film is re-run on cable. It's like re-reading a favorite, treasured book.