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IMDbPro

Where the Heart Is

  • 20002000
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
35K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,474
1,983
Ashley Judd and Natalie Portman in Where the Heart Is (2000)
Home Video Trailer from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
99+ Photos
ComedyDramaRomance
A pregnant seventeen-year-old rebuilds her life after being abandoned by her boyfriend at a Walmart in Sequoyah, Oklahoma.A pregnant seventeen-year-old rebuilds her life after being abandoned by her boyfriend at a Walmart in Sequoyah, Oklahoma.A pregnant seventeen-year-old rebuilds her life after being abandoned by her boyfriend at a Walmart in Sequoyah, Oklahoma.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
35K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,474
1,983
    • Matt Williams
    • Lowell Ganz(screenplay)
    • Babaloo Mandel(screenplay)
    • Billie Letts(novel)
  • Stars
    • Natalie Portman
    • James Frain
    • Ashley Judd
    • Matt Williams
    • Lowell Ganz(screenplay)
    • Babaloo Mandel(screenplay)
    • Billie Letts(novel)
  • Stars
    • Natalie Portman
    • James Frain
    • Ashley Judd
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 259User reviews
    • 64Critic reviews
    • 30Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Where the Heart Is
    Trailer 0:31
    Watch Where the Heart Is

    Photos105

    Natalie Portman stars as Novalee Nation
    Lexie & Novalee
    Novalee marries Forney
    Novalee meets Sister
    Joan Cusack co-stars as Nashville music agent, Ruth Meyer
    Dylan Bruno co-stars as Willy Jack
    Ashley Judd stars as Lexie
    Ashley Judd and Natalie Portman in Where the Heart Is (2000)
    Ashley Judd and Natalie Portman in Where the Heart Is (2000)
    1 sheet movie poster
    Ashley Judd and Natalie Portman in Where the Heart Is (2000)
    Ashley Judd and Natalie Portman in Where the Heart Is (2000)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Natalie Portman
    Natalie Portman
    • Novalee Nation
    James Frain
    James Frain
    • Forney Hull
    Ashley Judd
    Ashley Judd
    • Lexie Coop
    Stockard Channing
    Stockard Channing
    • Sister Husband
    Joan Cusack
    Joan Cusack
    • Ruth Meyers
    Dylan Bruno
    Dylan Bruno
    • Willy Jack Pickens
    Sue McCormick
    • Cake Supplier
    Keith David
    Keith David
    • Moses Whitecotten
    Ray Prewitt
    • Tim
    Laura House
    • Nicki
    Karey Green
    • Rhonda
    Mary Ashleigh Green
    • Girl in Bathroom
    Kinna McInroe
    Kinna McInroe
    • Wal-Mart Clerk
    Laura Auldridge
    • Wal-Mart Assistant Manager
    Alicia Godwin
    • Jolene
    Dennis Letts
    Dennis Letts
    • Sheriff
    Richard Andrew Jones
    Richard Andrew Jones
    • Mr. Sprock
    • (as Richard Jones)
    Kathryn Esquivel
    • Mrs. Ortiz
      • Matt Williams
      • Lowell Ganz(screenplay)
      • Babaloo Mandel(screenplay)
      • Billie Letts(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      For the scenes filmed in Walmart, myriad Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) merchandise, prominently depicting Natalie Portman as Queen Amidala, had to be removed, to preserve the suspension of disbelief.
    • Goofs
      When Novalee is adding what she owes Walmart in her notebook, most of the totals of what she owes are not added correctly. However, Novalee is not very educated, which means she could have done simple mistakes when she was doing the problems.
    • Quotes

      Novalee Nation: It's too late, isn't it, Forney?

      Forney Hull: Too late for what?

      Novalee Nation: I lied to you, when you asked me if I loved you, and I said no. Remember?

      Forney Hull: Yes.

      Novalee Nation: I lied. It wasn't true, I-I love you. It's just I lied because I thought you deserved something better.

      Forney Hull: Something better than you? Novalee, there isn't anything better than you.

      [they kiss]

    • Alternate versions
      Televised version is heavily cut, all of Joan Cusack's scenes are missing.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: U-571/Love & Basketball/Joe Gould's Secret/Gossip/Pups (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Mustang Sally
      Written by Mack Rice

      Performed by Malford Milligan

      Produced by Matt Cartsonis

    User reviews259

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Excellent film- even for a chick flick.
    I have to admit having a bias towards sci-fi, action adventure, mystery, conspiracy films, etc. I have sat through "Steel Magnolias" and "Fried Green Tomatoes" with my wife, and while I can admit they are well-made movies, I have never been too keen on movies with an all-female or predominantly female cast. I have also never cared much for Sally Fields' movies. (Perhaps I always think of her from the "Bandit" movies...) My first impression from all the trailers was that "Where the Heart Is" was nothing more than another "chick-flick" that I would, no doubt, find well-produced, but forgettable. I was wrong.

    Natalie Portman registers a great performance as a meek and downtrodden pregnant teen who learns early in life that "our lives can change with every breath." Ashley Judd puts in an Oscar worthy performance in her supporting role as the older, married friend who has trouble finding the right man to be the father of her children. Stockard Channing plays the unforgettable "Sister Husband" who takes the young girl and her newborn child in, and Sally Fields makes a momentary appearance as the young girl's absentee mother, one of the highlights of the film. Fields has deepened my respect for her as an actress with her five minutes of film time like no other actor/actress ever has. Joan Cusack appears as a talent manager in the film's sub-plot and is phenomenal in her brief on-screen time as well. Yes, there are men in the film, veteran David Keith and James Frain among them, but for the most part, this film relies on the vision of the world through the eyes of its female leads. I loved this film- the comedy, the drama, the love story... I laughed, and although I hate to admit it, being a tough guy and all, I cried - several times - during this wonderful film about learning to be content with what we have and learning to appreciate how unique and special everyone and everything is.
    helpful•48
    12
    • bobbyf
    • Dec 27, 2000

    FAQ4

    • Why was she called Sister Husband? Even after her death all the names in the book had husband after them why?
    • What exactly happened to Sister?
    • What exactly did Roger Briscoe do to Lexie and her children?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 28, 2000 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Lockhart, Texas, USA
    • Production companies
      • Twentieth Century Fox
      • Wind Dancer Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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