Places in the Heart
Seen it?1984 | 111 min | Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It won 2 Oscars, it earned strong reviews (89% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it was a solid box office hit. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved The Sugarland Express, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 51 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG: peril. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In 1935 rural Texas, recently widowed Edna Spaulding struggles to survive with two small children, a farm to run, and very little money in the bank - not to mention a deadly tornado and the unwelcome presence of the Ku Klux Klan. Edna is aided by her beautician sister, Margaret; a blind boarder, Mr. Will; and a would-be thief, Moze, who decides to teach Edna how to plant and harvest cotton.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 2 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Actress, Academy Awards: Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. Won 1 Berlin award: Berlin International Film Festival: Best Director. Also nominated for 5 more Oscars, 2 more Golden Globes and 1 more Berlin award. Plus 8 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$35 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 305K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Robert Benton
- Sally FieldEdna Spalding
- Lindsay CrouseMargaret Lomax
- John MalkovichMr. Will
- Danny GloverMoze
- Ed HarrisWayne Lomax
- Ray BakerSheriff Royce Spalding
- Amy MadiganViola Kelsey
- Terry O'QuinnBuddy Kelsey
- Bert RemsenTee Tot Hightower
- Jay PattersonW.E. Simmons