Rating: 
Summary: Touches the Heart
Review: You have to play the hand you're dealt. Novalee Nation has been through many challenges in her life. Despite all of this adversity, she never seems to lose her zest for life. Very early in the movie Novalee wins the audience over. This movie shows that you never know from whom you might learn something.
Rating: 
Summary: Thumbs down for me
Review: It was recommended to me by a teen to watch this movie. I can see why. Only a young teen would think it's good. For me the movie stinks. It was poorly acted for one thing. I almost turned it off after 10 minutes but thought maybe it would improve. Their attempts to put comic bits here and there were distasteful to say the least. A roll of quarters in the pocket for example? Come on now......how stupid. I put this movie in my list of failures. It's almost as bad as the movie "Miss Congeniality" but not quite. It was very disorienting. I can see the writer forcing the disasters in the script to liven things up. It didn't work. When they happened, I caught myself saying.....come on now!! I was going to shut it off several times but continued to think for some reason it would get better. Maybe it was just a dream. I really think it could have been a good movie story if written better. Take out the stupid comic stuff and made it serious with better acting. Oh well, another movie down the tubes. I can see why it didn't make the movie theaters.....it didn't did it? It would have been a giant loss. I'm glad I only rented it. Only a few bucks lost. Well, two hours lost also I guess. Don't wast your time with this one.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must-See!
Review: "Where the Heart Is" is not only heart-warming, but adds humor to the mix as well. Natalie Portman does an excellent job portraying a pregnant and confused teen named Novalee Nation over a span of 5+ years. You'll cry for her and laugh with her. As an added bonus, Ashley Judd plays an eccentric friend of Novalee's. Ashley Judd provides the funniest moments of the movie. This movie is the kind of movie that brings a warmness to the heart. I recommend it to everyone I know and I would definately recommend it to everyone who reads this review.
Rating:
Summary: I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a man who loved this movie!!!
Review: This was an excellant movie!! I love Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd; they are two wonderful actresses!! After reading the book and seeing the movie, I can tell you that this movie is both very heart warming and tender to the soul. I'm usually such a sap for chick-flicks; what can i say, i love them!! Listen guys, see this movie, it'll really change your perception of life and make you see things in a different perspective. Rent it today, it really warms the heart and soul!!!
Rating:
Summary: Great movie that follows the book.
Review: I first read Where the Heart is by Billie Letts and thought it was a great book so when I heard that they were making a movie about it I wanted to see it. I now own it and really like it because it follows the book almost perfectly unlike some movies. If you enjoyed the book, see the movie and if you have seen the movie, read the book. I think you'll enjoy both.
Rating:
Summary: Great library and photography theme!
Review: While I will say right off the bat, I don't condon the morals in this movie, I did love the story. Why? Because it is so hopeless to begin with and so beautiful at the end. I loved the library/book and photography themes since those are two of my own interests. So, I could relate to that part of the story. You can't help but feel sorry for Novalee as she sits devastated outside of Wal-Mart while her boyfriend is off picking up another woman. How rude...he will help a woman who's car broke down, but leaves his "very pregnant" girlfriend to fend for herself. Really! How heartless (he claims he was scared ....yeah, whatever! Selfish is more like it). She has a bit of money left over after she buys some shoes for $5.55 and sets up home in a Wal-Mart which is so funny. I had just walked through the local Wal-Mart the night I watched this so it was even funnier. Anyway, I loved the eccentric guy who runs the library who actually turns out to be rather normal and even kinda sexy. He has some issues to deal with and yet has ambition. Novalee doesn't think she is good enough for him, but really she "aint" no trailer trash. This girl has heart and she continually does all she can to help people. Her ex-boyfriend is a total scum and they cut to his life to keep the story going, and it really only shows him in a bad light. I loved the "number 5 theme." You were just waiting for that number to roll around again! I think the Wal-Mart theme just added to the movie and there would really be no story without it. The whole story revolves around the store. I don't think it was an ad for the store...I mean, who hasn't heard of a Wal-Mart. Give me a break! The critics don't get this movie! Believe the Amazon reviewers over that one review above in the "special" section up there in reviewer's heaven. I don't think some critics even really watch these movies or maybe they are just jaded. But hey, not every movie is for everyone, so we will forgive them. There is a great contrast between men who are manly and really know how to love a woman and whimps who run off and don't support the children they father. Some of the scenes in this movie are just so beautiful and yes, this is a movie for women for the most part! This movie deals with some really tough issues, but somehow the characters rise above some pretty bad situations. In one scene I thought I was watching Julia Roberts and I think this Natalie Portman is going places for sure. She has the same sweet quality and her acting keeps your full attention the way Julia's does. I want to see her in more movies for sure and I went looking for more of her movies at Am land. I guess what struck me about this movie was the importance of love and family. Even though Novalee doesn't know the words "birth control" she still manages to get through life with a good heart. I guess when you don't have a mom around to help you out, things get a bit rough and from the story we forgive her...because her mother is such a rat! It is a lesson in what can happen when you make bad choices, but how wonderful forgiveness is and sometimes those who seem to deserve it least are loved the most by God. God knows our heart and that is the beauty of Novalee. She has a wonderful spirit even though she comes across as very naive to begin with. I did however think religion was bashed too much in this movie. The writers miss the whole point of how God loves us and takes care of us in life. They simply throw in a few sacrilegious jokes and make fun of people who go a bit overboard. Most "real" Christians would be there for Novalee and would help her out instead of judge her. I have seen this in my life (true Christian love) and the writers obviously only saw the bad side or just needed some cheap shot jokes. Perhaps a good movie to show what not to do! Wait for the right guy and then marry him first before starting a family. PG rating for swearing which I was not impressed with but did add to the character development. I wish PG didn't have swearing, but alas we must endure it just to see a movie. The laugh out loud parts made it worth it....and a scene near the end at the university! I found this movie at Wal-Mart...yes, really! I did just buy a ton of movies from Am land, so I hope they will forgive me ;>. All the reviewers really have done a fine job telling you the entire story (It is a blast to read all the reviews for a movie you really love...is it not? I love it!), so I just wanted to tell you what I thought of the movie. This movie is best watched without knowing too much! That spoils the element of surprise. The Rebecca Review Rebecca@SeasonedwithLove.com
Rating:
Summary: Wicked!
Review: I live in England and although had heard of this film briefly about 6-9months ago had completely forgotten about it, until one of my friends rented it. From the first scenes i was hooked, and that's unusual for me. This film was heart-warming, intelligent, the kind of film where you found yourself laughing and crying at the same time because the cocktail of emotions the flawless script and direction produced was overwhelming. I cannot count how many times I've watched this movie now, it just gives me such hope for the future. It seems nomatter what question has been fluttering around your head, this movie seems to answer it. It shows that no one is worthless and that nomatter how important you may think education, money, material things are, they just are not. This movie influenced me greatly and I hope others see the life this story portrays.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVED this movie!
Review: I just watched this movie about five days ago and I'm ready to watch it again. One minute you're laughing your head off and the next you're bawling your eyes out. I'm from Tennessee and although the portrayal of Tennessee folks always seems to be that of white trash, I could deal with these characters because they were very likeable. Even Willy Jack was somewhat redeemed in the end. I also like to see stories about people who manage to take a bad situtation and make something good out of it and become a stronger person in the end. I just bought the book and know that even though it will not be exactly like the movie (when are they ever?), the book will most likely prove to be even better. So, if you're looking for a movie that has conflicts and drama but it doesn't leave you feeling all sad, this one is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Loved this movie! Where the heart is, is a great movie!!
Review: I loved this movie and recommend it to all! I have watched it several times, and bought it for friends and family, they all loved it!!
Rating: 
Summary: Predictability almost saved by strong acting.
Review: Ah, I love the smell of white trash in the morning...smells like Hollywood contrivance. "Where the Heart Is" seems to be ambivalent: it's either a commercial for Walmart, or a poster film for the sterilization of uneducated southern women. The film's few strong moments are overshadowed by a plethora of disasters both natural and script-related. (I exaggerate not when I say that I predicted the line "There's nothing better than you Novalee" verbatim, a good half hour before the film's conclusion.) The only shining moments come from the lead roles Portman and Judd, both of whom don't receive the roles their talents deserve.
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