Where the Heart Is (2000)

A pregnant 17-year-old rebuilds her life after being abandoned by her boyfriend at a Wal-Mart in Sequoyah, Oklahoma.

Director:

Matt Williams

Writers:

Lowell Ganz (screenplay), Babaloo Mandel (screenplay),

Stars:

Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Natalie Portman	...	Novalee Nation
Ashley Judd	...	Lexie Coop
Stockard Channing	...	Sister Husband
Joan Cusack	...	Ruth Meyers
James Frain	...	Forney Hull
Dylan Bruno	...	Willy Jack Pickens
Sue McCormick	...	Cake Supplier
Keith David	...	Moses Whitecotten
Ray Prewitt	...	Tim
Laura House	...	Nicki
Karey Green	...	Rhonda
Mary Ashleigh Green	...	Girl in Bathroom
Kinna McInroe	...	Wal-Mart Clerk
Laura Auldridge	...	Wal-Mart Assistant Manager
Alicia Godwin	...	Jolene

Storyline

Novalee Nation is a pregnant 17-year-old from Tennessee heading to California with her boyfriend Willie Jack, but is abandoned by him at a Wal-Mart store in Sequoyah, Oklahoma. Novalee has no job, no skills and only $5.55 in her pocket, so she secretly lives in the Wal-Mart until her daughter Americus is born six weeks later. Novalee decides to raise her daughter and rebuild her life in Sequoyah, with the help of eccentric but kind strangers. Based on the best-selling novel by Billie Letts.

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Plot Keywords:

wal mart | oklahoma | birth | tennessee | librarian | 

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Taglines:

Discover where the emotion is...the friendship is...and the laughter is...

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense thematic material, language and sexual content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 April 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Voz do Coração

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$8,292,939 (USA) (28 April 2000)

Gross:

$33,771,174 (USA) (1 September 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Wind Dancer Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Contains Natalie Portman's first on-screen love scene.

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Goofs

When Novalee was in the hospital after Americus was born, Lexie referred to the day as being Tuesday. However, Americus was born 5 July 1995, which fell on a Wednesday.

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Quotes

Novalee Nation: You tell them that our lives can change with every breath we take... and tell 'em to hold on like hell to what they've got: each other, and a mother who would die for them and almost did... You tell them we've all got meanness in us, but we've got goodness too. And the only thing worth living for is the good. And that's why we've got to make sure we pass it on.

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Connections

Spoofs Forrest Gump (1994)

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Soundtracks

"Grow Young with You"
Written by Hillary Lindsey and Austin Cunningham
Performed by Coley McCabe, with special guest Andy Griggs

User Reviews

beautifully made and heart-warming

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.