Develiker terrible... so disappointed.

NekoHomey Purely Joyful Movie!

Keeley Coleman The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Devran ikiz Most films that are made in the 80's have special places in my heart. This is one of those films. Watching and getting familiarized with them tells a lot about the modern cinema. You can track the progress of great actors and actresses as well as the directors. I just finished watching "Places in the Heart," but it took me a lot of time to find this film. It is getting harder and harder to watch older films. Since this review will be the only source of this beautiful drama, I will try to write it good, so it will be a future reference for me. "Places in the Heart" is written and directed by Robert Benton, who is also known as the director and the screenplay writer of the five Oscar-winning film Kramer vs Kramer. "Places in the Heart" stars Sally Field, Ed Harris, John Malkovich, Lindsay Crouse and Danny Glover. Each and every performance is awesome in the film, but there must be a special note for Sally Field, as Edna Spalding, who plays the role of a widowed woman, left alone with her two kids in debt after her husband is shot. Her gestures and mimics help the atmosphere of the film a lot. There is a constant sorrow in her eyes and she really makes you forget the fact that she is actually acting. This performance got her an Academy Award for The Best Actress in a Leading Role, but it is not very easy to say that "Places in the Heart" is only about her. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards including The Best Picture, Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, John Malkovich, which as a blind guy, really deserved to win this award, Best Director, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Lindsay Crouse and Best Costume Design. The reason why I counted all the nominations was to show you that three out of seven nominations were for the individual performances. That being said, performances are one of the strongest points of the film, as well as the story. As I was saying, "Places in the Heart" doesn't focus on one story. What makes this film complete, is the fact that there are a lot of little pieces gathered together. Film focuses on Edna Spalding and her kids after her husband dies, how she tries to get the hold of things around her life and her house. In the meantime, Moses (Danny Glover) shows us the real struggles of black people in Texas, USA in 1930s while working for Mrs. Spalding, and, in my opinion, because of this reality, "Places in the Heart" was critically acclaimed. On the other hand, there is a story of a blind guy, Mr. Will (John Malkovich) who moves into Edna's house and help her with almost everything. Unrelated to the main story among these three, we witness some other side stories in the town of Waxahachie, Texas, and these seemingly unrelated stories, focus on the reality of the lives that were lived around that era of 1930s.The harmony of side stories with the main story creates the strongest point of the film. As a drama and the atmosphere, "Places in the Heart" reminds me of Tender Mercies minus the songs. Soundtracks are not the strong points of this film, because it focuses on something directly related to the lives of white and black people once upon a time. The last scene of the film was in the church, where everyone, including the dead ones, gathered together drinking the wine and eating the bread. This somehow reveals the real purpose of the film. All the good and bad people are there together gathered around the god. "Places in the Heart" opens with a similar scene in the church. This film is a drama, it is a piece from real life, but in some scenes, I found myself unwillingly smiling. This is what happens to me when I watch a really good film. I always say for films like this, where nothing really happens, we just witness a period of time of some people's lives. "Places in the Heart" is a good example for this statement. Dresses and manners of people of that era are brilliant and real in the film, which made me ask, how we have arrived to the age of clowns from that era of gentlemen. To prove my statement, just go out sometime and observe people. The way they dress, the way they act and the way they talk will impress you. This is the beauty of old films. They help you make comparisons between eras, and make you understand and see towards where humanity is going. I know this has nothing to do with the film, but I had to mention this as well.

Brian T. Whitlock (GOWBTW) Sally Field is at her best here. 1984 was her year. 5 years earlier she did "Norma Rae" that won her an Oscar. And she does it again in "Places in the Heart". Set in 1935 Texas. The Great Depression was in affect. Field plays Edna Spalding, a housewife who ends up being a widow when her husband is accidentally shot and killed by a young drunk African American. He in return is dragged and later hanged. After the bank tells her that money is scarce, she is forced to sell her property. A drifter name Moses (Danny Glover) wanted to help Edna with the cotton fields. She declined the offer, but gives him a meal. Since both are in desperation, he steals the silver spoons, and she gives Moses the offer. Experienced in cotton picking, Moses explain on how it works. Though the bank was a bit unwilling with Edna's persistent nature, he enlisted his blind brother-in-law, Will (John Malkovich) to help the widow and Moses. Obstacles came out to hinder things: The storm. And the KKK after the first sale of cotton. Edna was grateful for Moses for his help, and he took it well with pride. Pride can get in the way of life, when someone offer you a hand, Take it. This movie is a winner. No doubt about that. Sally Field did very well, for the second time. This movie is a gem. A must see. 5 stars.

aciolino Monster storms, the scourge of the KKK, infidelity, tragic death, and redemption. Who isn't frightened of monster storms? Who doesn't feel rage at the injustice of blind hatred in the form of the KKK? Who fails to feel for a wife whose husband has cheated on her? Or a wife whose husband has died tragically young? And who, seeing all this, isn't uplifted by the redemption of the transgressors (except the Klansmen, I suppose) and the almost literal resurrection of the dead? Or the cleansing of sin through love and forgiveness(faith)? Who would not weep? Unfortunately I was too aware of the easy manipulations taking place on the screen to be really moved, feeling the author's heavy and not so subtle hand at work, grabbing at my emotional heartstrings. Maybe I'm being too cynical, but that's how I experienced it. I could hear the scriptwriter, (Benton) saying, "Okay, NOW, we're gonna get you with a big storm -- look! How scary!" "Oh, and now, the Klan makes and appearance, and you will foam with rage!" Ah, no. Too transparent. Yes, Mrs. Spaulding overcame an inordinate number of obstacles to show the world that the human spirit is indomitable. Yeah. Don't care. The acting was good.

james higgins A wonderfully simple film, lovingly detailed art direction and costume design. The cinematography is excellent. The performances from everyone are notable. Sally Field gives a very convincing and heartfelt performance. The supporting cast is exemplary. Ed Harris, who is memorable in just about every film he is in, Lindsay Crouse, Amy Madigan, John Malkovich, and in particular Danny Glover. Impressive production throughout. There are a couple of scenes that are a little overdone, the tornado and the endless cotton picking scene, but overall the film comes together very well and it always held my interest throughout. Sally Field won an Oscar for her fine performance.