Where the Heart Is (1990)
-
11% of critics liked it
(9 reviews) -
55% of users liked it
(1,962 ratings)
In this comedy from writer-director John Boorman, wealthy real estate mogul Stewart McBain (Dabney Coleman) owns a demolition firm which specializes in blowing up old buildings to make way for upscale new ones. When neighbors protest his plans to raze a dilapidated old building to make way for a new… More In this comedy from writer-director John Boorman, wealthy real estate mogul Stewart McBain (Dabney Coleman) owns a demolition firm which specializes in blowing up old buildings to make way for upscale new ones. When neighbors protest his plans to raze a dilapidated old building to make way for a new Brooklyn subdivision, television crews film the confrontation, and McBain comes off like a fool. His three spoiled children ridicule him. Tired of their carping, McBain gives them each 750 dollars and drops them off at the old building, known as the Dutch House. Daphne (Uma Thurman), Chloe (Suzy Amis), and Jimmy (David Hewlett) are at first completely lost, because they have no idea how to live in the real world. As McBain and his wife, Jean (Joanna Cassidy), monitor their children's progress, the three youngsters learn to get along with the neighborhood people and eventually set up a commune of sorts, into which they invite their friends and various homeless people. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Boorman
- Written By
- John Boorman, Telsche Boorman
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1990 Wide
Critic Reviews
-
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Well intentioned but failed attempt at morality story about homelessness
-
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Misses the mark by a mile.
-
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Well-intentioned hunk of trash.
-
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Fascinating, overlooked reworking of Leo the Last.
-
James Sanford, rec.arts.movies.reviews
The screenplay could have been lifted from any random night of idiotic TV sitcoms and the Boormans dress it up with some of the most precious and highfalutin dialogue this side of a college theater party. It's a groan a minute.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Dabney Coleman
as Stewart McBain
-
Uma Thurman
as Daphne McBain
-
Joanna Cassidy
as Jean McBain
-
Crispin Glover
as Lionel
-
David Hewlett
as Jimmy McBain
-
Suzy Amis
as Chloe McBain
-
Christopher Plummer
as Homeless Gent
-
Maury Chaykin
as Harry
-
Dylan Walsh
as Tom
-
Ken Pogue
as Hamilton
-
Sheila Kelley
as Sheryl
-
David Bronstein
as Stock Exchange Dealer
-
Ida Carnevali
as Mrs. Jose
- Robbie Coltrane
-
Frances Flanagan
as TV Reporter (Dutch House)
-
Prabha Gandhi
as Mya
-
Paulina Gillis
as Secretary
-
Michael Kirby
as Lionel's Father
-
Gary Krawford
as Presidential Aide
-
Howard Lende
as Wall Street Man
-
Sandi Ross
as Woman Speaking in Tongues
-
Juan Aro Sanchez
as Jose
-
Albert Schultz
as Edgar
-
George Seremba
as Preacher
-
Ralph Small
as Eviction Man
-
Timothy Stickney
as Marcus
-
Dennis Strong
as Marvin X
-
Najma Uddin
as Porna
-
Philip Williams
as Man with Writ
-
Emma Woollard
as Olivia
-
Maurice Godin
as Stock Exchange Dealer
-
Christine Kossak
as Runway Model
-
Ric Sarabia
as NYC Unemployment Clerk
-
Catherine Blythe
as Runway Model
-
Anne-Marie MacDonald
as TV Reporter (Stock Exchange)
