Where the Heart Is

2000

Where the Heart Is

Critics Consensus

Poor script and messy plot undermines the decent cast.

35%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 97

76%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 63,924

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Where the Heart Is Photos

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Movie Info

Pregnant 17-year-old Novalee Nation (Natalie Portman) runs away from her Tennessee home toward the bright lights of California, accompanied by her boyfriend, Willy Jack Pickens (Dylan Bruno). But Willy gets cold feet and abandons her at a Walmart in Sequoyah, OK. Novalee's life savings amount to $5.55, so she moves into the Walmart, sleeping there at night and venturing out during the day. With the help of the eccentric Sister Husband (Stockard Channing), and Lexie Coop (Ashley Judd), a nurses' aide, Novalee tries to get her life in order for the sake of her expected child, Americus Nation. Based on a novel by Billie Letts, Where the Heart Is also features Keith David, Joan Cusack, Richard Nance, and Heather Kafka. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for intense thematic material, language, and sexual content)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama, Romance
  • Directed By:
    Matt Williams
  • Written By:
    Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Cast

Natalie Portman
as Novalee Nation
Ashley Judd
as Lexie Coop
Sally Field
as Mama Lil
Stockard Channing
as Thelma `Sister' Husband
Joan Cusack
as Ruth Meyers
James Frain
as Forney Hall
Ray Prewitt
as Tim
Laura House
as Nicki
Mackenzie Fitzgerald
as Americus Nation
Karey Green
as Rhonda
Keith David
as Moses Whitecotten
Dylan Bruno
as Willy Jack Pickens
Mary Ashleigh Green
as Girl in Bathroom
Kinna McInroe
as Wal-Mart Clerk
Richard Jones
as Mr. Sprock
Laura Auldridge
as Wal-Mart Assistant Manager
Margaret Ann Hoard
as Mary Elizabeth Hull
Natalie Pena
as Angela Ortiz
Yvette Diaz
as Rosanna Ortiz
Richard Nance
as Johnny Desoto
Alicia Godwin
as Jolene
Kathryn Esquivel
as Mrs. Ortiz
Todd Lowe
as Troy
John Swasey
as Jerry
Scarlett McAlister
as Kitty
Kylie Harmon
as Praline
Cody Linley
as Brownie
Bob Coonrod
as Ernie
Heather Kafka
as Delphia
T.J. McFarland
as Ray
Rodger Boyce
as Officer Harry
Dennis Letts
as Sheriff
Mark Mathis
as Reporter
J.D. Evermore
as Orderly
Linda Wakeman
as Hospital Receptionist
David Alvarado
as Cellmate
Mark Voges
as Religious Man
Angee Hughes
as Religious Woman
Gabriel Folse
as Policeman No. 2
Angelina Fiordellisi
as Nurse
Cheyenne Rushing
as Co-Ed
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News & Interviews for Where the Heart Is

Kidman & Black Sign On for Baumbach’s Next Movie
Jason Patric Proves Himself a "Walker"
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Critic Reviews for Where the Heart Is

All Critics (97) | Top Critics (32) | Fresh (34) | Rotten (63)

View All Critic Reviews (97)

Audience Reviews for Where the Heart Is

  • Jan 30, 2013
    I was close to selling this DVD, but then decided to give it one last gander before goodbye. I'm glad I did cuz this is really quite a sweet movie about redemption and the kindness of strangers. It's Classic Natalie. She's a bit vegan and weird now, but in her salad days (ironic?), she could really bare her heart in her performances. I also dig James Frain (Villefort from "The Count of Monte Cristo) as the lovelorn Forney.
    Alice S Super Reviewer
  • Sep 11, 2012
    A feel-good movie where a pretty young pregnant girl (Natalie Portman) gets left at a Walmart in Oklahoma. During the movie, Natalie has to figure out how to have her baby, establish a support network and find a loving partner.
    Red L Super Reviewer
  • Nov 16, 2011
    It's a bad love story with an irresponsible father, a suggestion on a number, and many, many references and promotion to Wal-Mart
    Rodrigo R Super Reviewer
  • Jul 31, 2011
    Dated and blatant, Where The Heart Is basically tries too hard and mish-mashes far too many events and ideas into one film. A critic said it best when he referred to it as "a great big ol' commercial for the Wal-Mart".
    Christopher H Super Reviewer
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