Cast: Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing, Joan Cusack, James Frain, Dylan Bruno, Keith David, Sally Field, Richard Jones
Director: Matt Williams
Producers: Susan Cartsonis, David McFadzean, Patricia Whitcher, Matt Williams
Screenplay: Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel, based on the novel by Billie Letts
Cinematography: Richard Greatrex
U.S. Distributor: 20th Century Fox
In Where the Heart Is, actress Natalie Portman has found another role she can inhabit with unimpeachable aplomb. Since her feature debut in 1994's The Professional, Portman has been someone to watch, and has stolen scenes from more experienced performers in the likes of Beautiful Girls and Everyone Says I Love You. As Queen Amidala in last year's The Phantom Menace, Portman became a recognizable face, but the part gave her little opportunity to show much in the way of acting. However, in Wayne Wang's heartwarming mother/daughter drama, Anywhere But Here, she shone, and, with Where the Heart Is, she picks up where she left off there, giving the best performance of an already intriguing career.
Portman isn't just the foundation upon which this film is built; she's the glue that holds it together. Working with a first-time director, Matt Williams, from a script by shlockmasters Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel (based on the novel by Billie Letts), Portman keeps things moving even when they descend a little too deeply into schmaltz. Thankfully, Williams acquits himself well behind the camera, and the Ganz/Mandel team turns out their most intelligent and low-key script in years. Wedded with Portman's superlative performance, these elements elevate Where the Heart Is to the level of quality, emotionally-satisfying entertainment.
Novalee Nation (Portman) is a frightened, seven month pregnant teenager on the road from Tennessee to California with her self-centered boyfriend, Willy Jack Pickens. When the couple stops at a Wal-Mart in Oklahoma so that Novalee can take a bathroom break, Willy Jack sees his chance to get away, so he abandons her with nothing more than a Polaroid camera and $5.55 in change. Novalee, homeless and alone, begins to establish a life in the community of Sequoyah, befriending the open-hearted Sister Husband and spending time at the library, where she captures the attention of the librarian, Forney. From dusk till dawn, she hides out in Wal-Mart, carefully recording every dollar and cent that she owes the company for food, clothing, and bed materials. Then, one rainy night, she goes into labor, and, with the help of Forney (who arrives on the scene after following her), she gives birth to a healthy baby girl. When she wakes up, she's in the hospital, being cared for by a perky nurse, Lexie, who tells her that she's an instant celebrity: the mother of "the Wal-Mart baby."
Where the Heart Is is as obvious a "chick flick" as they come. All of the typical elements are in place: the strong-willed heroine dealt a bad hand by life, the abusive and selfish men, and the supportive women. However, by subduing the melodrama to a tolerable level, the filmmakers have crafted a motion picture that should appeal to members of both sexes (testosterone-crazed males, a.k.a. "macho men", excepted). Of course, men will probably only venture into this movie when prodded by their girlfriends/spouses, but, two hours later, most of them will grudgingly admit that they enjoyed the experience.
The characters, especially the leads, are well-developed. Novalee never feels like a stereotype or a caricature - a label that often is applied to individuals in movies like this. Equally three-dimensional are the primary supporting characters: the upbeat but unlucky-with-men Lexie (marvelously underplayed by Ashley Judd, who gives a strong performance but never steals the spotlight from Portman), the shy, sensitive Forney (James Frain, fresh from Reindeer Games), and the hopeful, helpful Sister Husband (Stockard Channing). Only Novalee's good-for-nothing boyfriend, Willy Jack (Dylan Bruno) and his hard-nosed agent (Joan Cusack) are less than fully fleshed out. He comes across as the kind of guy Thelma and Louise would have driven over in their car, and she's someone who would have happily gotten behind the wheel.
For the most part, Where the Heart Is qualifies as a "small" motion picture where characters and a simple, straightforward storyline shape the focus and drive. The tone is predominantly lighthearted - there are a few tragedies, but the script does not dwell on them. There is also some humor, but the filmmakers wisely do not overplay that element. Occasional moments of levity can go a long way in a motion picture like this. Overt jokiness would damage the film's dramatic approach. There is one instance in which it becomes apparent that the movie has a legitimate budget: a tornado is every bit as impressive as the storms in Twister.
As one might expect, there are changes from Billie Letts' popular novel, although the heart remains intact. One of the more curious alterations relates to Novalee's numerical superstition. In the book, she is deathly afraid of the number "7". Bad things always happen when 7's are involved. In the movie, however, her phobia is of 5's. The Wal-Mart cashier hands her $5.55 in change before Willy Jack leaves her. She refuses to give birth lying on the floor in Aisle Five. And ominous events occur on the fifth day and fifth month after her daughter's birth. The reason for the change is rather obscure, although it may have something to do with shortening the film's overall time frame from seven years to five.
Where the Heart Is represents one of those rare instances when a voiceover narrative might have helped. The story spans five years, which means that there are sometimes gaps of months between scenes. Instead of using Portman's voiceover to provide links, Ganz & Mandel try another approach - one that often seems clumsy and forced. Two close friends will meet and "catch up" on what has transpired over the intervening time as if they haven't seen each other since the last time they were on screen together. While this technique might work once or twice, Where the Heart Is overuses it. It's a minor, but irksome, point.
Where the Heart Is is the story of someone who overcomes life's hardships despite overwhelming odds. She does not become famous, wealthy, or successful, but attains family and love - two things which were robbed from her as a child and which she has craved ever since. We spend five years in Novalee's company, but the time goes by quickly. Where the Heart Is is not perfect, but it works in almost every way that a character-based drama is supposed to. It is a simple pleasure.
© 2000 James Berardinelli