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Customer Reviews:- DVD! AT LAST!!!
I've been waiting for this film on DVD for years! Thank goodness, It's here and won't disappoint. Clean crisp and sharp with great sound quality! As a film it is a true piece of ART with some of the best performances ever assembled! I lived in Waxahachie where much of the film was shot and was in the "Heart" house as it is called. Believe me, the cinematography in this film is worth the price of the DVD! Texas never looked better! This film would make a terrific companion piece to "The Trip to Bountiful" which was also filmed around the Waxahachie, Texas area. "Places" on DVD! It's about time! Now how about "Bountiful" on DVD?...more info - OF LOSS, LOVE AND HOPE
Few movies hit you so unabashedly in the heart with a melodramatic wallop as Bentons Places in the Heart, yet manage to avoid feeling cheap. A deeply touching slice of the depression era, worthy of all the Oscars it bagged (screenplay, best actress for Fields) plus several nominations. Sally Field weilds absolute acting prowess as Edna Spaulding, a wife and mother of two kids who becomes widowed after a drunk accidentally shoots her husband. So she decides to make some money by planting cotton. She takes in a very friendly black man (wonderfully played by Danny Glover) who helps her get and plant the cotton, and a smart blind man (played by John Malkovich in an Oscar-nominated performance) who's a paying boarder. These three adults and the two children form a little family together, and this is the part of "Places in the Heart" that works best. Other characters add to the story. Lindsey Crouse was also Oscar-nominated for her portrayl of Field's sister who comes to help out after tragedy strikes early on. Ed Harris plays Crouse's husband who's having an affair with another woman, which makes for a somewhat inessential subplot. But that's a minor grouse. Apart from the top-notch performances, the film's stunning finale is an unforgettable cinematic statement about hope. Had everyone in the room jerking a tear. On DVD the film doesn't really look like an old movie (1984) if that bothers you. A highly recommended gem for any collection!...more info - I love this movie.
Thank you for being so prompt sending this movie. I have a tour company
and we had a trip out west for 12 days. I showed this movie on the motor
coach which was appropriate for the old west review. Everybody loved
it.
Southern Comfort Tours...more info - Alot of Heart
Places In The Heart is director Robert Benton's look back at life in Depression era Texas. Sally Field stars as Edna Spalding, a recent widow who struggles and fights to keep her family together by raising cotton. She enlists the help of a drifter named Mose who knows the in and outs of growing cotton. One hurdle is that Mose is black and the locals make it rough on them. Danny Glover is superb as Mose as is John Malkovich as a blind boarder, Mr. Will. Lindsay Crouse and Ed Harris are Edna's sister and brother-in-law and Ms. Crouse is excellent as she struggles with the philandering ways of her husband. But through it all, Ms. Field carries the film. She perfectly conveys the determination of a woman facing tremendous odds. she shows a strong front, but a touching vulnerability when facing set back after set back. Ms. Field deservedly won her second Best Actress award and yes we really do like her....more info - Witness of Grief and Hope.
It is not easy to initiate a history from the side opposed to the hope, but this film exhibits of perfect way the fact that sometimes the defeat is necessary, in order to return to the life from ashes and to fortify the spirit.
It is a clear example of a structured good history, which is divided clearly in stages that we could call "Grief and Hope", since from a principle everything seems dark for the protagonist. But thanks to their tenacity, it can leave ahead and improve a past that could project to the future.
The good presentation of this audio-visual work to a great extent must to Sally Field and John Malkovich, that they take in its shoulders the thickness of history.
Is totally recommendable allowing itself the privilege to see this movie. Only it has small errors in the script, but without getting to damage the narration....more info - Movie that brought me to tears
I wish all believers would see this film and watch it in it's entirety to see the final scene. It is very powerful and reminds us of the grace we all receive even if we don't deserve it....more info - Best Move I've Ever Seen
This is the best movie I've ever seen, starring my all time favorite actress, Sally Field. Sally won an accademy award for best actress for her part in this film, which she very much deserves. She did one fantastic job of acting. So did the pople who played the blind man and the black hired hand.
Set in the Great Gepression, it portrays people who are tender in their caring for others, very strong in their faith in God and gutsy in their refusal to quit when the going gets tough. In contrast it portrays an insensitive, greedy banker, who shortly after her husband's senseless killing encourages Edna Spalding (Sally Field) to sell her house to pay off the mortgage, go live with her sister and since she doesn't have room to house all of Edna's family, send one of her two children to live with relatives in another state. She bluntly turns down his offer, letting him know that she will find a way to get the mortgage money in on time.
A black man named Mose's (Danny Grover) offer to help Edna grow cotton, while met with initial hesitation, undoutedly influenced not only by the South's attitude toward blacks, but also by the fact that her husband was killed by a drunken black man is finally accepted. Edna is also coerced by the banker into housing his blind brother Will (John Malkovitch), which turns out to be a real blessing is diguise. Her black hired hand is also a Godsend. He proves to be worth his weight in gold and when the cotton harvest is in, the mortgage payment is more than met. The movie ends on a triumphant note, with blacks and whites setting next to each other in church, receiving communion. The Scripture text for the day is I Corinthians 13. I love movies with happy endings, where good triumphs over evil and where gutsy people, ones who live their faith in God, aren't afraid to stand up to opposition and work to protect their family and moral values from scoundrals. ...more info - Excellent!
I have watched Places In the Heart a number of times, and am always moved by it. It is a wonderful example of an extended family working together to survive. A beautiful movie!...more info - And he walks with me and he talks to me.
The entire cast of this movie deserves every award for the most uplifing, spiritual film i have ever seen. Even though this takes place in the 1930's i feel very humble and fortunate that i have a wonderful life and only wish my spiritual soul could find the love for faith as much as you'll see in the last scene of this movie. (and i am a spirtual person) I turn to complete tears in those last few minutes when everyone is singing "The Old Rugged Cross" which has always been my favorite hymm.The DVD gives you both formats, either wide screen or full screen. At the end of the movie with the organ and people singing your sub-woofer will kick in with the real low notes of the sound to give you a sort-of surround but still a very rich sound. I'm not sure why this isn't in 5.1 because it originally was filmed in Dolby stereo in the early stages when Dolby was first being introduced.Never-the-less this is a wonderful wonderful film with the best actors that Hollywood has. Sally Fields is a gem in everything she's in anyway. A superb actress. You will not be disappointed....more info - A Classic Movie!
This 1984 film stars Sally Field as a mother struggling to raise her two children alone, but she soon gains the help of Danny Glover, in one of his best roles, since The Color Purple. She also takes over the care of a blind man, played by John Malchovich, who delivers an incredible performance. This film earned Field's her second oscar, and you can certainly see why.If you have never seen this film, since it has long been unavailable to own, but has now thankfully been re-released on DVD. Although, short on extras, you can chose your choice of full screen or widescreen, and it includes the theatrical trailer. Definately a must have!...more info - dvd
This is an excellent movie. The actors/actresses in it are perfect. The movie stays with you long after it's finished....more info - Places in the Heart has a place in my heart.
This truly Sally Field at her best. She is awesome in this role. John Malkovich does a wonderful job playing the part of the blind tennant. Danny Glover......what can you say about him other than AWESOME!!!! Rent or buy this movie today....more info - "Places in the Heart" Wins Hearts All Over Again
Now that "Places in the Heart" has been re-released on VHS and DVD, many more people will be able to experience this 1984 classic. Starring some of the acting greats like Sally Field, John Malkovich, Ed Harris, and Danny Glover, "Places in the Heart" is a realistic look at the lives and views of people in the 1930s. This movie tackles issues such as racism, adultery, and people learning to "live again" after they've had to overcome many obstacles.Edna Spalding (Sally Field) plays a woman recently widowed who suddenly has to figure out how to support herself and two children during Depression times. Moze (Danny Glover), a black man looking for room and board, offers the "crazy" suggestion of growing cotton and, desperate to try anything to keep her family together, Spalding steps up to the challenge. More important than Spalding's need for money, she must prove to herself and those around her that she can take care of her family. She had always just been a wife and a mother and nothing more had previously been asked of her. A blind boarder, Mr. Will (John Malkovich), "sees" the harshness and bigotries of life and is a quiet yet interesting observer of what's going on around him. Also added to this mix are Spalding's brother-in-law Wayne (Ed Harris) and sister Margaret (Lindsay Crouse) who go through marital struggles when Wayne becomes involved with another woman (Amy Madigan). They fight the basic human problem of being good people but making bad decisions. Field's performance as Spalding is a great one--evidenced by her Best Actress Oscar for the role. Another Oscar was rewarded for Best Overall Screenplay and nominations were made for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Malkovich), Best Supporting Actress (Crouse), and Best Costume Design. Though "Places in the Heart" is often overlooked, it's a wonderful film overflowing with love, bravery, friendship, and strength of character....more info - An American Classic
For my money, this "save the farm" feature was the best film of 1984, edging out The Killing Fields, The Terminator and Stop Making Sense. Nominated for seven Academy Awards (including Best Picture), this box office sleeper earned two statues: Best Actress for Sally Field and Best Original Screenplay for Robert Benton (who also directed). Still, how Nestor Almendros' gorgeous cinematography failed to score even a nomination remains a mystery....more info - Places in the Soul
It begins with communion. No, not a church setting, but something equally spiritual--all manner of families, black and white, poor and not so poor (remember, this is small town Texas during the Depression), sitting down to Sunday afternoon dinner, saying or singing "grace," heads down, holding hands. Circles of families, joined together in brittle and fragile unity against the winds of despair that swept through Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas during the 1930s. Moments of tender mercies. "Places in the Heart" is a story of circles broken, families shattered, hatred and racism unleashed. After the senseless death of her husband, Edna Spaulding is left to do for herself, and for her family. Her task is clear--to do whatever she can to mend the breach in her family, to keep herself and her children together, to build a new communion. With the help of Moses (Danny Glover) and Mr. Will (John Malkovich), Edna (Sally Fields) does all she can to keep tragedy from her door. Whether she succeeds or fails is not, it seems to me, the true heart of this film. No, the center of "Places in the Heart" is, again, communion, new circles being formed, old trespasses being forgiven, renewed belief in enduring values. This a lovely film, generous of spirit, unafraid to wear its heart and its spirit on its sleeve. The results are moments of aching grace, deep tenderness, unabashed sentiment. This film asks you to feel, to set aside the ironic eye, the cynicism of our time. There are things, the film insists, in which we can and must believe if we are to prevail in a world that is--at best--unrelenting and--at worst--soul shattering. Communion--"Places in the Heart" concludes with several of the most moving and spiritual minutes I have ever experienced in a film. The scene beggars description. To say that the conclusion is epiphanic is not to say enough. You have to watch and listen--and then, thanks to VCR's and DVD's, you have to watch and listen again. Watch and listen to the sights and sounds of communion, of deep, abiding faith, of circles refusing to be broken. This past Christmas, I gave my 33-year-old son a copy of this film. He remembered it from years ago. He understood perfectly that "Places in the Heart" is a film for sacred seasons, for all seasons....more info - I WISH THERE WERE A SEQUEL!
This movie is great! I used it for a college paper on prejudice and the hardships of life. You can really feel what these people are going through. I wish there were a sequel about 10 years later, where Moses comes back with a family and buys a piece of Edna's land. I wish he could really overcome being black during a miserable time in history. I wish Will and Edna would fall in love and help complete the missing part of each other's lives. Possum would be a teen, with high hopes and great dreams. Frank would be a strong, honest man that is a representation of the type of person it takes to change an entire country's idea about prejudice. They would become happy once again. I want their lives to finally be worth something. I WANT MORE OF THEIR STORY!...more info - I really like SALLY FIELD (oscar Speech)
This film is the touching story of Edna Spaulding fight to keep her home and children after her husband is killed by a drunk with a gun.A little story about the way i think.When there is something tuff in my life I think of this movie.And how you can do any thing if you have to do it.The most touching part of the movie is when Edna's picking cotton and how her hand's are cut from the thorn's of the cotton buds.And how she is crying from the memory of her husband it makes me cry just watching that scene.Also the acting by Lindsey Crouse is touching as Edna's younger sister.I just wish the DVD had extra with it.But i didnt buy it for the extra's.I bought it because I love this movie from the heat.Sally will always be special in my Heart.By the way i named My Pom puppy after her.SALLY PUMPKIN....more info - THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOVIES! IT IS OUTSTANDING!
I LOVED THIS MOVIE! I LOVED THE OLE TIMEY HYMNS, THAT WAS SUNG IN CHURCH, I REMEMBER GOING WITH MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER TO CHURCH, AND WE SANG THOSE SAME HYMNS. THIS MOVIE GIVES YOU A LOOK AT WHAT IT IS LIKE, IN THE OLD DAYS, AND WHAT HARD WORK IS. ALL THE ACTORS IN THIS MOVIE DID A OUTSTANDING JOB! I LOVED THE CHEMISTY BETWEEN DANNY GLOVER, AND SALLY FIELD! AWESOME! MY PARENTS, AND MY GRANDPARENTS, AND MY GREAT GRANDPARENTS, ON BOTH SIDES OF MY FAMILY GREW UP ON FARM LAND, AND TENDING THE LAND, WORKING IN THE FIELDS! THEY ALL KNOW HOW HARD IT WAS BACK IN THOSE DAYS. IN THE MOVIE I ADMIRE EDNA'S, AND MOSE'S COURAGE, NO MATTER HOW HARD THINGS GOT FOR THEM, THEY NEVER GAVE UP, THEY KEPT ON UNTIL THEY REACHED THEIR GOAL, THEY CHOSE TO BE GOOD, AND LIVE THEIR LIFE THE RIGHT WAY, AND I LOVED THE WAY MOSE TREATED EDNA'S CHILDREN, AND THE YOUNG BLIND MAN. I LOVED THE WAY MOSE, AND EDNA INCLUDED THE YOUNG BLIND MAN IN THEIR LIFE. I ADMIRE PEOPLE WHO GET BEATEN DOWN BY LIFE, BUT THEN TURN RIGHT AROUND, AND RISE UP TO DEFEAT THE HARDSHIP, AND SORROW, AND WIN, AND OVERCOME THE BAD TIMES. IT TAKES ALOT OF STRENGTH, AND COURAGE TO DO THAT! THIS MOVIE SHOWS US HOW!...more info - Yes, I really like her...
Sally only got 2 Oscar noms, and won both. This seems to be the stock of lots of jokes. Fact is, with great writing, Ms. Field will knock your socks off, as she does here. I won't bother to rehash the plot, cuz you already know it, and it's phenomenal. Aside from the absolute attention to period detail, the acting is, without exception, superb. A previous reviewer noted that the cinematography of Nestor Almendros was sorely missing an Oscar nomination, and this is most correct. There were three films in 1984 about "saving the farm" ("Country", "The River" and this); though "Country" was released earlier and got better reviews, this one came along and blew 'em all out of the water. This was Benton's autobiographical account of life during hard times, and it couldn't be more lovingly presented. Then, again, there's the acting: Lindsay Crouse, Danny Glover, John Malkovich, Terry O'Quinn, Amy Irving, Ed Harris, and two absolutely wonderful kid-actors, Yankton Hatton & Gennie James. Howard Shore composed a score, not that original, with great help from the music icons of the period. It was very effective. The bottom line is that this is a very fine film, and mostly carried by the unwavering and confident performance of Sally Field. I like her. I really do....more info - A SUBTLE, SUBLIME TREASURE OF A MOVIE!
Sally Fields, Danny Glover, John Malkovich and Ed Harris star in "Places In The Heart" as poignant family saga set during the Great Depression. When Emma Spalding's (Fields) husband is accidentally killed she learns that her financial situation is precariously perched on the acquisition of several acres of farm land and its cultivation for a cotton crop. To aid in her money problems, Mrs. Spalding takes in a blind man, Mr. Will (Malkovich) and hires a hobo, Moses (Glover). There are scenes that you will never forget and a real tear jerker of an ending.Sally Fields won her second Best Actress Oscar for this role.
Columbia Tristar has given us the film in a rather mediocre transfer. Colors are faded. Contrast can, at times be low. There is some minor pixelization and edge enhancement that intrudes. Chips, scratches, dirt and film grain are all quite visible. The sound is 2.0 surround and rather disappointing, suffering from a weak characteristic throughout. There are no extras to speak of. BOTTOM LINE: Say yes to the film because it is great entertainment, and try to overlook the rather lack luster transfer, if you can.
Aside: I suppose I should begin each review by stating that my marks (stars)that I give in rating the films are indicative of picture and sound quality and have nothing to do with my overall like or dislike of a movie based on its plot. This is why some universally acclaimed movies, from time to time, may get a less than stellar rating. Everything is based on the digital quality of the disc - how it looks and sounds. Mine is not a Roger Ebert film review....more info
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