Where the Heart Is

2000, Comedy/Drama, 2h 0m

98 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Poor script and messy plot undermines the decent cast. Read critic reviews

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Where the Heart Is Videos

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Movie Info

After Tennessee teen Novalee Nation (Natalie Portman) is left literally barefoot and pregnant in a Wal-Mart parking lot by her no-good boyfriend, Willy Jack Pickens (Dylan Bruno), she manages to live within the mammoth megastore until her baby's abrupt arrival makes her a media darling. After this, Good Samaritan nurse Lexie (Ashley Judd) takes in Novalee and her newborn daughter. Before long, Lexie and Novalee form a life-changing bond of friendship and sisterhood.

Cast & Crew

Natalie Portman
Novalee Nation
Ashley Judd
Lexie Coop
Stockard Channing
Thelma 'Sister' Husband
Joan Cusack
Ruth Meyers
James Frain
Forney Hall
Dylan Bruno
Willy Jack Pickens
Keith David
Moses Whitecotten
Sally Field
Mama Lil
Richard Jones
Mr. Sprock
Mackenzie Fitzgerald
Americus Nation
Mary Ashleigh Green
Girl in Bathroom
Heather Kafka
Delphia
Richard Nance
Johnny DeSoto
Rodger Boyce
Harry the Policeman
Matt Williams
Director
Billie Letts
Writer
Lowell Ganz
Screenwriter
Babaloo Mandel
Screenwriter
Susan Cartsonis
Producer
Carmen Finestra
Producer
Gerrit V. Folsom
Co-Producer
Rick Leed
Executive Producer
Diane Minter Lewis
Co-Producer
David McFadzean
Producer
Roz Weisberg
Associate Producer
Patricia Whitcher
Producer
Matt Williams
Producer
Mason Daring
Original Music
Richard Greatrex
Cinematography
Ian Crafford
Film Editing
Mali Finn
Casting
Paul Peters
Production Design
John Frick
Art Director
Amy Wells
Set Decoration
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Critic Reviews for Where the Heart Is

All Critics (98) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (34) | Rotten (64)
Full Review… Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Full Review… Nell Minow Common Sense Media Full Review… Rick Groen Globe and Mail Full Review… Kay Dickinson Sight & Sound Full Review… Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune Full Review… George Perry BBC.com Full Review… Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review Full Review… Betsy Bozdech Reel.com Full Review… Frank Swietek One Guy's Opinion Full Review… Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Full Review… Judith Egerton Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) Full Review… David Nusair Reel Film Reviews
View All Critic Reviews (98)

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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