WHERE THE HEART IS
US, 2000, 120 minutes, Colour.
Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing, Sally Field, James Frain, Dylan Bruno.
Directed by Matt Williams.
Where the Heart is is an adaptation of a novel by Billie Letts, a book featured in Oprah Winfrey's television Book Club. It is a slice of Oklahoma life, focussing mainly on its women characters. It is very emotional. Its earthiness is fairly realistic and its message hopeful.
Natalie Portman (Leon, Anywhere But Here, The Phantom Menace) is one of America's most talented up-and-coming. Here she portrays a pregnant seventeen year old from Tennessee who is dumped by her boyfriend in a shopping mall. Rather than go under, she manages for six weeks in Wal-Mart? until the baby is born. People are kind to her. Stockard Channing as Sister Husband shows what down-to-earth generosity can be like. Keith David is a photographer who encourages her abilities. Britain's James Frain is the local librarian devoted to her and her daughter.
There is an excellent cameo from Joan Cusack as the hard-bitten agent who helps the boyfriend in his singing career. Sally Field gives a short but very effective performance as the young girl's irresponsible mother.
In its focus on the pregnant girl and the birth and upbringing of the child, Where the Heart Is is very affirming of life. It shows that, no matter how down and out a person may feel and no matter how low their self-image and self-esteem is, accepting responsibility and sharing in people's kindness always offers hope. The movie criticises righteous types who think they are saved and better than others but whose Christian love is theoretical, harsh and condemnatory. For those who do not have many opportunities in life, this is a film of encouragement amid life's hurts and confusions.
1. The impact and appeal of the film? The predominantly female characters, focus, the range of characters?
2. South-west America, the small town, the houses, the roads? The lifestyle? Authentic atmosphere? The twister, the world of the music industry? Musical score, the range of songs, especially the song from Willie Jack?
3. The title, the emotional focus of the film? For American audiences, explicit emotion? How much for non-American audiences and those who prefer emotions more reticent?
4. Novalee's story: Natalie Portman, her age, presence, charm? Pregnant, in the car with Willie Jack, her wanting him to touch the baby, her going into the Wal- Mart, abandoned? Her sitting outside, going in, staying in the Wal- Mart for the six weeks, keeping detailed accounts of her expenses? The birth of the child, Forney and his finding her, getting her to the hospital? Her waking in the hospital, a local celebrity, the media, payments and gifts?
5. The meeting with Sister Husband, her style, her partnership with Mr Spock? Alcoholics? Born-Again? Christians? Her interest in Novalee, helping her? Eventually taking her in? Prayer, fornication and repentance in prayer? The garden, giving Novalee the plant? Helping her with the baby?
6. The help of Mr Whitecotton, the camera, his advice - and his later helping her career?
7. Novalee and her working in the town, at the garage, the sexual liaison with the man, her change of heart, hearing she was pregnant? Her decision to live a quiet life and be a good mother?
8. The hospital, the friendship with Lexie? Lexie and her own children, the visits? The bond between the two families? Lexie and her continually on the lookout for Mr Right, thinking that she had chosen the right man, his bashing her, the assaults on the children? Her finally meeting the gawky-looking man, seeing him as Mr Right, dancing with him, marrying? The scenes of discussion and friendship between the two women and the portrait of women's friendship?
9. The experience of the twister, Novalee and her saving Americus, her being almost blown away? Sister Husband's death? The funeral? The arrival of the lawyer, the bequest of the house and ensuring her future with Americus?
10. The years passing, her photos, going into the competition, travelling to the awards ceremony, her winning, her speech? Her achievement?
11. The portrait of Willie Jack, at the beginning, not wanting the baby, abandoning Novalee? His time in prison? Composing the song? The encounter with Ruth Myers and his relationship with her, the promotion of his career, her changing his style, the sexual liaison? His going on to success? Radio and Novalee hearing him? His drinking, clash with Ruth Myers, on the rail tracks, losing his legs? Novalee seeing this information in the paper, visiting him in the hospital, the ability for each of them to bring closure to their relationship? His encouraging her to see Forney?
12. Forney, his place in the town, his awkwardness, his looking after his alcoholic sister and the burdens this placed on him? His helping Novalee in the hospital? His continued visits, care for the baby, always about? It being evident that he was in love with Novalee, her not responding? His sister's death, the funeral? His sexual encounter with Novalee, the possibilities of their getting married? Her taking a firm stand, sending him off to university? At university, Novalee's visit, her fears that he had met someone else, meeting him again, the bonds between them, the marriage and the ceremony in the Wal-Mart?
13. The glimpse of Novalee's mother, her visit, her having abandoned her daughter, seeing the information about the money and the gifts, her taking them and disappearing?
14. The film showing people who would be dismissed as trailer trash and giving them human dignity, showing their potential for life, their making a life?
