Places of the Heart (1984)
A strong melodrama set in Depression Texas, and starring a wonderful Sally Field as the matriarch of a farming family. The plot follows some heartwarming paths that we've seen before, but with Danny Glover and Ed Harris helping in smaller roles, and a generally strong cast, the feeling of being on this old farm is believable. The bank threatens, racism raises its head, and the sky opens up its wrath.
All of this is just a matter of perseverance for this family. Eventually some cotton is grown, and a race to be first in with the crop leads to a hot and harrowing final few scenes.
Director and writer Robert Benton is returning to his own roots for this movie—it's set in his home town, though he was only three when these events are set. It feels like a romanticized autobiographical tale, something seen from a kid's point of view. The tacked on affair by Ed Harris is superficial, and the racist attack at the end is awful but not built into the story very well.
In fact, this isn't what you would call a masterpiece—there are loose ends and a feel good arc that get in the way.
Even the photography by highly regarded Nestor Almendros is beautiful but contained, as if paced to be classic without being drippingly gorgeous. The tornado scene is quite dramatic, of course, and well done, and there are moments—Sally field coming through the sunny hallway to the screendoor—that are stunning.
But these are a film critic's gripes. I watched it all with joy and interest, and when it was done was glad for nearly every minute.
A strong melodrama set in Depression Texas, and starring a wonderful Sally Field as the matriarch of a farming family. The plot follows some heartwarming paths that we've seen before, but with Danny Glover and Ed Harris helping in smaller roles, and a generally strong cast, the feeling of being on this old farm is believable. The bank threatens, racism raises its head, and the sky opens up its wrath.
All of this is just a matter of perseverance for this family. Eventually some cotton is grown, and a race to be first in with the crop leads to a hot and harrowing final few scenes.
Director and writer Robert Benton is returning to his own roots for this movie—it's set in his home town, though he was only three when these events are set. It feels like a romanticized autobiographical tale, something seen from a kid's point of view. The tacked on affair by Ed Harris is superficial, and the racist attack at the end is awful but not built into the story very well.
In fact, this isn't what you would call a masterpiece—there are loose ends and a feel good arc that get in the way.
Even the photography by highly regarded Nestor Almendros is beautiful but contained, as if paced to be classic without being drippingly gorgeous. The tornado scene is quite dramatic, of course, and well done, and there are moments—Sally field coming through the sunny hallway to the screendoor—that are stunning.
But these are a film critic's gripes. I watched it all with joy and interest, and when it was done was glad for nearly every minute.