Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Film!
Review: I really enjoyed this movie just as I did the book. This girl grows up so much we actually see Novelle mature and blossom into a confadent and knowledgeable young woman infront of our eyes. Nattale Portman is exalent in her role as the uneducated pregnant teen-aged girl to a grown-up, confadent, loving mother. Along with an out of this world supporting cast, 'Where The Heart Is' is deffently worth your time! At times this movie is so outragious I felt like it HAD to be writtin from life, since many outragious things have really happened to me in my own life. These happinings made the movie seem like a true story, to me, or at least based on truth. I just wonder who Novalee and the 'Wal-Mart baby' really are?
Rating:
Summary: A movie to see again and again!
Review: From the first scene I feel in love with this movie. It's so touching and well done! Novaleee is a 17 year old who is pregnant by a trashy guy who leaves her at a Wal-Mart. She is stranded there in Oklahoma. In Oklahoma she meets amazing people that change her life. Novalee meets a wonderful man named Fourney who is in love with her instantly. The movie is based on a book. But, I consider the movie to be more rewarding than the book. The movie is fabulous from the beginning to end! But, despite it all it's a definite chick flick so, a lot of men may not like it! So watch it with your girlfriends!
Rating: 
Summary: A big disappointment
Review: I didn't have high expectations for this film, given the fact that most books turned films are never great to begin with. Even though I found the film to be faithful to the book, this was poorly acted by Natalie Portman - she had none of the charm that Novalee had in the book and that is quite unfortunate. Ashley Judd does a fine job as Lexie and Stockard Channing was wonderful as Sister Husband, but overall this film was a huge disappointment. I'd only recommend this to someone looking for 2 hours of entertainment and nothing else.
Rating:
Summary: WHITE TRASH GIRL MAKES GOOD...
Review: Based upon the book of the same name by Billie Letts, this film was a more than pleasant surprise. It is simply a compelling absorbing, and unusual film. Well directed by television veteran Matt Williams, the movie exudes a certain folksy charm that grabs the viewer from the get go and keeps that viewer enthralled until the final scene. The film centers around Novalee Nation (Natalie Portman), a very pregnant seventeen year old, who, with her boyfriend, lowlife Willy Jack Pickens (Dylan Bruno), pulls up to a Walmart's in Oklahoma where he abandons her. So, with virtually no money, literally barefoot and pregnant, and nowhere to go, she sets up camp in Walmart by night and explores the town by day, making friends with a number of memorable characters. She unexpectedly has her baby at Walmart's, making her into a minor local celebrity. While at the hospital convalescing, she meets a sassy, brassy nurse, Lexie Coop (Ashley Judd), who befriends her. She is showered with gifts and her mother, Mama Lil (Sally Field), a floozie who discovers her daughter's whereabouts courtesy of the media hoopla, pays her a visit. Having abandoned her once before, she is there long enough for Novalee to be abandoned, yet again. Along comes Thelma 'Sister' Husband (Stockard Channing), an eccentric but kindhearted recovering alcoholic who scoops Novalee and her baby up and takes her to her home. This would be the beginning of a whole new life for Novalee, one that would be enriched by the people whom she meets and the experiences, both good and bad, to which she is subjected. It becomes the story of her personal and emotional odyssey, as well as the story and growth of those with whom she most closely interacts. It is a story about life, relationships, responsibilities, love, and the ties that bind. It is also the story of Willy Jack Pickens and the direction his life takes subsequent to his abandonment of Novalee. After some bad breaks, he gets talent agent, Ruth Meyers (Joan Cusack), to sign him on in hope of furthering a musical career. Unlike Novalee, however, he does not take well to the vicissitudes of life and begins a free fall in a downward spiral. His waterloo culminates in a dramatic meeting with Novalee after many years, a meeting that sets her free from her past, free to love the one person who loves her for herself. Natalie Portman delivers her best performance to date. In the role of Novalee, she mixes innocence with wonder at what the world has to offer her. She adds a certain sweetness, poignancy, and determination to the role that translates into a wonderful vulnerability laced with steel. It is this quality that gives Novalee the will to go on when the odds are so against her, and that is just what Natalie Portman conveys to the viewer. Stockard Channing is great as the eccentric and kind Thelma 'Sister' Husband, a woman who never had children of her own but is truly a mother at heart. Nurturing her garden, as well as Novalee and her baby, flowers and plants are not the only things that thrive under her care. A veritable Mother Earth, she is the kind of person who brings out the best in others, and Novalee and her baby are no exception. Stockard Channing, a great, though underrated actress, brings this home to the viewer in spades. Ashley Judd is terrific as the wide eyed, "looking for love in all the wrong places" Lexie. She comes across as sassy and brassy but is really only looking for someone to appreciate her for who she is and not for the sex she has to offer. Judd delivers the nuances that this role demands. James Frain is sensational as the shy, sensitive, and kind Forney Hull, the town librarian's brother who befriends Novalee. He plays the role with such vulnerability and imbues him with such goodness that the viewer cannot help but care deeply for him. It is also almost hard to believe that James Frain is British, as he has an American accent so down pat. Dylan Bruno is perfect as Willie Jack Pickens, the country good old boy who ruins his own life and almost ruins Novalee's. Joan Cusack shows her deft comedic flair in the small, but memorable role of Ruth Meyers, and Sally Field leaves her mark in her cameo role as Novalee's mother. All in all, stellar performances are given by the entire cast. This is a well directed film that should not be missed.
Rating: 
Summary: Oi.
Review: I was SO disappointed with this movie. The only saving graces are Ashley Judd and the actor who portrays Forney Hull, whose name currently escapes me. The ENTIRE charm of this book are the characters and the way their lives become intertwined. The movie barely touches on this aspect of the book, and where the book literally evokes emotions from the reader, the movie fails miserably. The lines are so stilted. The scenes are so chopped up and so many characters in the book missing or undeveloped, it's hard to follow. On the one hand, if you read the book, you can follow the movie a little better. Had I seen this movie cold without having read the book, I would have thought it hard to follow. However, if you read the book first, the movie is such a disappointment. The casting of the actor who portrayed Moses Whitecotton was excellent, but they hardly touched on the depth of his character, which was such a waste. Ashley Judd did a great job as Lexie Coop, and Natalie Portman, although quite cute, came nowhere near to exuding the charm and innocence of Novalee Nation personality-wise. Stockard Channing has SO much talent, but as Sister Husband, Hollywood cut the soul of the character as portrayed in the book down to just about nothing in the flick. The book warmed your heart and soul, made you angry, made you cheer out loud, made you cry. It left you wanting for more. Then Hollywood got hold of the story and trashed it.
Rating:
Summary: Loved the Book, Love the Movie!
Review: What can I say. It's rare but it happens once in a blue moon where I've loved both the book and the movie. Sure it doesn't have all of the characters and stories found in the book, but it does capture the magic Billie Letts created on paper. Also the casting of the film was very well done. Natalie Portman gave a truly wonderful performance as Novalee and Stockard Channing was magnificent as Sister. Where the Heart Is was also my introduction to James Frain who portrayed Forney Hall. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot of James Frain in future. He did a wonderful job of not only having Novalee fall in love with him, but many female audience members (including myself) as well. Overall I highly recommend this movie because the characters, story and also the soundtrack will enchant you.
Rating:
Summary: Sappy rules
Review: If you're looking for a feel good, girl power, sappy movie this one is one of my all-time favorites. I watch it at least twice a month. Next to the Star Wars films, this is my favorite Portman movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Pack your stuff, head for Oklahoma!
Review: This gem of a movie was almost overlooked until I went searching for James Frain films. Makes you want to pack your stuff, head off to this community in Oklahoma and get a job at Wal Mart! Delightful, heart touching portrayals by Natalie, Ashley, and Stockard. Besides being struck by James Frain's loss of British accent, I was transfixed by his performance. Quite a wonderful fresh actor. Can't give it "5" stars, you'll see why in the movie, it deserves much more.
Rating:
Summary: great movie
Review: this was a great movie natalie portman did a great job as novelee nation it is a great movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Movie - but the books better
Review: When i watched this movie... i wondered how anyone that hadn't read the book managed to follow... i felt like there were BIG GAPS in the story... however, my husband... who was watching with me... said he understood it just fine... while the movie didn't have the flair of the book... the actresses did a fine job... i was especially impressed with natalie portman's portrayal of novalee nation... she nailed the role... watch the movie...but read the book too (it's bettER!)
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