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| Sony Pictures (1984) |
I first saw this
movie probably in the late 80's (Yes, I’m giving away my age), so it had been
around a while even then, since it was made in 1984 and released in September of that year. I recalled loving it at
the time, but I had forgotten exactly why, other than that I had enjoyed it immensely,
so when I noticed it was playing on Encore the other night, I informed my hubby
that I would like to see it. Granted, he was a bit reluctant, probably because,
since I recalled loving it, he most likely thought it was some kind of
“chick-flick.” Not that he said as much, but I could see it in his eyes.
Anyway, long
story short, we watched Places in the Heart, and no more than 15 minutes into the
movie, Chet said, “Honey, this is really good;” and he said it several times
thereafter. He also commented upon the “extraordinary” performances of the
actors, the “stunning” cinematography, and the “outstanding” sound track. Though
it was admittedly difficult, I bit my tongue and refrained from saying, “See,
told you so.”
All of that
said, this is definitely a see-again movie, and if I live long enough, I will
see it again. It’s that good. It’s a beautifully acted, poignant drama that
will have you teary-eyed at times and smiling through those tears at other
times. It is rated PG-13, however, for language (a few curse words) and
violence (none of it graphic), so I wouldn’t recommend it for really young
children, though those older than 12 should have no problem with it whatsoever.
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| Sony Pictures (1984) |
Brief Overview
of the Storyline
Written and
directed by Robert Benson and set in Waxahachie, Texas during the Depression, Places
in the Heart tells the story of a young mother’s struggle to survive following
the accidental shooting of her husband, the town sheriff, by a young black man,
who is later killed by a vigilante mob.
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| Sony Pictures (1984) |
Despite the
disapproval of certain members of the community, some of whom belong to the Ku
Klux Klan, Edna Spalding (Sally Field) hires a drifter, Moze, played by Danny
Glover, to help her plant 30 acres of cotton in order to save the farm from
foreclosure and keep her family together. She also takes in a blind boarder,
Mr. Will (John Malkovich), who happens to be the brother-in-law of the banker
who holds the note on her farm.
Sometimes it’s
rather like watching “The Perils of Pauline” because poor Edna has to endure so
much, as do Moze, Mr. Will, the children (Frank and Possum), and other characters,
for example, Edna’s sister Margaret, whose philandering husband is carrying on
with the town’s elementary-school teacher Viola, who just happens to be
Margaret’s closest friend. There’s also a tornado (it’s a harrowing scene) and
the Ku Klux Klan to contend with, along with the challenge of picking cotton,
which is grueling work and can do really nasty things to one’s hands. My hands
started to hurt, in fact, just watching them picking that cotton.
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| Sony Pictures (1984) |
I don’t want to
give away anything, but be prepared for the movie’s final scene. At first you
think it’s really happening—at least I did—but you then realize it’s only a
dream, or maybe “fantasy” is a better word, depicting a world where all the
characters—friends and enemies, black and white, living and dead—are united and
taking communion at the little Baptist church in Waxahachie, Texas. Fantasy or
not, though, it is a powerful scene that you will not soon forget.
Cast of
Characters
Though there are
too many actors to list them all, the main characters include:
- Sally Field as Edna Spalding
- Danny Glover as Moze
- John Malkovich as Mr. Will
- Ed Harris as Wayne Lomax
- Lindsay Crouse as Margaret Lomax
- Ray Baker as Sheriff Royce Spalding
- Amy Madigan as Viola Kelsey
- Yankton Hatten as Frank Spalding
- Gennie James as Possum Spalding
- Lane Smith as Albert Denby
- Terry O'Quinn as Buddy Kelsey
Sally Field deservedly
won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance, and Robert Benson won the Oscar
for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. Moreover, though it didn’t
win, the movie was nominated for Best Picture, while John Malkovich and Lindsay
Crouse were nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, and Robert
Benson for Best Director. Of course, had I any say in the nominations, Danny
Glover would have been nominated for Best Actor, but then, if the decision had
been left up to me, Places in the Heart would have won Best Picture of 1985.
It’s really that good, so if you haven’t seen it, please do.
Source of
Photos: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (1984)
