|
Actors: Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd
|
|
| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Where the Heart Is |
|---|
Novalee Nation is a young pregnant woman. While on her way to California with her no good boyfriend/baby's father, Willie Jack Pickens, she suddenly finds herself abandoned and alone at a Wal Mart in Sequoia Oklahoma. They had a made a pit stop at Wal Mart so Novalee could use the restroom and buy some new shoes, since she lost her shoes through a rusted out hole in the floor of the car they were driving.
Novalee has no choice but to take up residence in the Wal Mart for six weeks since she has no family or friends to speak of to come to her rescue. She hides in the bathroom just before closing time just to re emerge when the store is clear of employees and customers. She soon finds herself in labor and about to give birth IN THE WALMART, when the town librarian, who has been following her, busts through a window and delivers her child.
Novalee soon finds herself a National Celebrity after being given the title, of the "Woman who gave birth to the Wal Mart Baby". She is soon befriended by a friendly Nurse's aid and also by a kindly woman who gives Novalee and her new baby girl, Americus, a home. She also develops a fast friendship with the town librarian, Forney, Who delivered her child.
Novalee soon finds herself falling deeper into love with Fornee, as well as he with her, however, after learning of his background as coming from a wealthy East Coast family, she is conflicted about her feelings as she feels that he is "Out of her League".
--Stephanie , Resident Scholar
|
Novalee Nation is an immature pregnant girl from the South who joins her boyfriend on a road trip to California. He dumps her at a Walmart in Oklahoma, and she continues living there with nowhere else to go until her baby is born in aisle 6 during the night. A friend takes her in and she lives there for a while, while her boyfriend goes off to California and has a hit song. Novalee continues building a life in Oklahoma and the two later converge, making mostly a story of character development.
--K. Danielsson, Resident Scholar
|
Novalee Nation (Natalie Portman) is 17, pregnant, and abandoned by her boyfriend in a Wal-Mart. After a brief moment of fame giving birth to her baby in the Wal-Mart, she has to survive in the small town of Sequoyah, Oklahoma. She and her baby, Americus Nation, learn to be strong and to love, even though they have been emotionally hurt before. Ashley Judd plays Novalee's best friend and the victim of domestic violence, while Stockard Channing plays the nice woman who takes Novalee in those first days after Wal-Mart. Novalee also falls in love with Forney Hull, the librarian, who she initially feels is too good for her because of his more extensive eductation. In the end, Novalee learns the importance of having people who love you, and, where the heart is.
--Margaret, Resident Scholar
|
The movie tracks Novelee Nation's struggle with motherhood, death of a loved one, and discarded true love. Throughout the story she learns what it means to be herself and how she affects the world. In the end she finds true happiness and a house without wheels. The movie is a sappy melodrama along the lines of Steel Magnolias.
--Kelly Alleman, Resident Scholar
|
"Heartwarming, touching, and funny." --The Capital times.
One "F" word in this movie. It is rated "PG-13" by the MPAA. There are sexual references in this movie. Acceptable for most children.
From the back of the movie:
Ashley Judd and Natalie Portman star in this offbeat, delicious slice of life about a down-on-her-luck southern teen who, after gaining 15 minutes of fame for giving birth to "The Walmart Baby," begins to put her life together with the help of the kind, quirky strangers who become her surrogate family. Based on the #1 best-selling novel by Billie Letts, this "Brilliantly funny, deeply moving, beautifully acted" (KNX/CBS Radio) film costars Stockard Channing and Joan Cusack in an inspiring celebration of love and friendship.
--Jessica W, Resident Scholar
|
| Analysis of Where the Heart Is |
|---|
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about
books by breaking them down into many different literary
elements, all of which are searchable (click here). |
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of movie:
- 1980's-1999
Romance/Love/Hugging
Yes
Kind of romance:
- romance (general)
- Unprepared for birthing/child rearing
Ethnic/Regional/Gender story?
Yes
Woman/class/friends story?
- woman's story
- story of lower class
Story of city/rural life?
- Small Town
Culture of surrounding area:
- American West
Lover is...
- of a different social class
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- blue collar
Age:
- a teen
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- brunette (Brown)
Hair type
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn straight
- (woman) long straight
Body type
- (woman) skinny
Events of movie makes character more...
- happy
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair style
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn straight
Body type
- (woman) very skinny
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- general circumstances
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Intelligence
- Dumb
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Midwest
Small town?
Yes
Small town people:
- hostile, like Gomer Pyle on steroids
- nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee
- dumb Rednecks, like Gomer Pyle
Misc setting
- prison
- bar
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Movie makes you feel...
- very happy
Sex/nudity in movie?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references only
- sex under blankets
Any profanity?
- Occasional swearing
If soundtrack VERY NOTICEABLE...
- Country/Western
Is this movie based on a
- book
|
| Most similar reviews by Gordonator ranking |
|---|
| White Palace
starring James Spader, Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates, Eileen Brennan
|
| Amar te Duele (Love You Hurts)
starring Martha Higareda, Luis Fernando Peņa, Ximena Sariņana
|
| Great Expectations
starring Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert De Niro, Anne Bancroft
|
| Spike of Bensonhurst
starring Sasha Mitchell, Ernest Borgnine, Anne De Salvo, Sylvia Miles, Geraldine Smith, Antonia Rey, Rick Aviles, Maria Pittilo, Talisa Soto
|
| Father of the Bride 2
starring Steve Martin, Dianne Keaton, Kimberly Williams, Martin Short, George Newbern
|
|
Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
|
