Alana

I loved this movie, it was really good.

Leslie H.

Wow, I'm shocked! This is one of my favorite movies, and after watching it, I read the novel. I thought Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd and Stockard Channing were stunningly cast. Though you list Susan Sarandon as a star in it (in which case I wouldn't even bother, she sucks) she is not even in the movie - so did you actually see it?

The POINT is, this desolate young woman becomes an integral part of this small town, pushed onward by a cast of kind strangers, who become her 'family'. Maybe it is a bit cheeky and light hearted, but I never miss it when it is on - I plan to buy the video and I never buy the video.

I guess I love anything set in the south - I can actually relate to it. Though I am neither poor, uneducated or an unwed mother, it makes more sense than most movies that would only appeal to a northern audience - such as 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' (cute, but I just didn't get it, as I know NO Greek people - especially not like in the film; it just didn't make sense here) or even sitcoms like 'Seinfeld' (just totally couldn't relate to the parking/apartment/nasal whiny accent New Yorker crap) and 'Friends' (very sophomoric - never watched it).

Many films portray the south as ignorant and backwards, and 'Where the Heart Is' certainly has that element. Though it is unlikely that an uneducated, unwed, teenage mother would have so much character or obtain such worthiness, the movie is heartwarming and shows how with steadfastness, such miracles may be possible. Another favorite of mine, and you may label it bubblegum, is 'Steel Magnolias'. The setting is very indicative of the south most southerners grew up in; the characters and town remind us of home ('Sweet Home Alabama' too, but you will really call me bubblegum there ;-). You can see from (the setting in) that film, how those who say 'youse guys', live in tiny pleather furnished apartments, are mere 'ants' in their hometowns rather than important components and stand on filthy street corners hailing cabs would be completely FORIEGN to us (people born and raised in the south).

So academic or not, 'Where the Heart Is' is probably seen good or bad from a regional point of view, because the setting and base for the movie is so very regional.

It is a favorite of mine, if for nothing more than the triumph of the underdog - and that is a theme we can all relate to :).

Leslie H.

Alda

Where the heart is, is one of the greatest movies ive ever seen and i am a very harsh critic. To me its in my top five over the bestest movies ive ever seen, i just cant express how great it is. When i watched the first time it made me smile, cry, get scared, get exited and become shocked, it also thought me alot of lessons wich i will never proplable forget! this movie is just eminent.

-Alda Maria Vilhjalmsdottir /Iceland