Places in the Heart (1984)
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100% of critics liked it
(21 reviews) -
80% of users liked it
(6,342 ratings)
Of the three "mortgage on the farm" films of 1984 (Country and The River were the other two), Places in the Heart is the only one set during the Depression. After her husband is killed, Sally Field is forced to take over the debt-ridden Texas family farm herself. Though slightly embittered… More Of the three "mortgage on the farm" films of 1984 (Country and The River were the other two), Places in the Heart is the only one set during the Depression. After her husband is killed, Sally Field is forced to take over the debt-ridden Texas family farm herself. Though slightly embittered by the fact that a black man was responsible for her husband's death, Field accepts the help of another African-American, Danny Glover. She is also given aid and comfort by her blind boarder, John Malkovich. Despite almost insurmountable odds, Field manages to bring in the cotton crop and to hold her farm and family together. Throughout the film, director Robert Benton stresses the importance of solidarity in facing down disaster, underlining this point with a remarkable surrealistic finale, in which the "live" members of the cast are seen singing a hymn with the characters who have "died" in the course of the film. Places in the Heart won Sally Field her second Academy Award. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Benton
- Written By
- Robert Benton
- Genres
- Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Sep 21, 1984 Wide
- Studio
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
Places in the Heart is a loving, reflective homage to his hometown by writer-director Robert Benton.
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Derek Adams, Time Out
Much is unemphatic, but all of it carries the moving weight of conviction. And it ends on a healing grace-note which passeth all understanding.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
[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.
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
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.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Benton effectively re-creates depression-era Texas in this moving tale that landed the second Oscar for Field.
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Cast
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Sally Field
as Edna Spalding
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Lindsay Crouse
as Margaret Lomax
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Ed Harris
as Wayne Lomax
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Amy Madigan
as Viola Kelsey
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John Malkovich
as Mr. Will
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Danny Glover
as Moze
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Yankton Hatten
as Frank
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Gennie James
as Possum
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Lane Smith
as Albert Denby
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Ray Baker
as Royce Spalding
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Jim Gough
as Lone Star Syrup Boy
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Vernon Grote
as KKK Man
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Lou Hancock
as Dispossessed Lady
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Jerry Haynes
as Deputy Jack Driscoll
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Toni Hudson
as Ermine
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Terry O'Quinn
as Buddy Kelsey
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Jay Patterson
as W.E. Simmons
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Bob Porter
as Stunt Double
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Matthew Posey
as Eugene
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J.C. Quinn
as Texas Voice
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Bert Remsen
as Tee Tot Hightower
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Robert Schenkkan
as Texas Voice
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Bill Thurman
as Lone Star Syrup Boy
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De'voreaux White
as Wylie
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Trey Wilson
as Texas Voice
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Gregg Brazzel
as KKK Man
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Ned Dowd
as KKK Man
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Randy Fife
as KKK Man
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Paul Nuckles
as KKK Man
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Shelby Brammer
as Ruby
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Sharon Schaffer
as Stunt Double
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Norma Young
as Beauty Shop Customer
