| Where the Heart Is | |
| Director: | Matt Williams |
| Producer: | Susan Cartsonis David McFadzean Patricia Whitcher Matt Williams |
| Screenplay: | Lowell Ganz Babaloo Mandel |
| Music: | Mason Daring |
| Cinematography: | Richard Greatrex |
| Editing: | Brooke Wilson |
| Studio: | Wind Dancer Films |
| Distributor: | 20th Century Fox |
| Runtime: | 120 minutes |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Budget: | $15 million |
| Gross: | $40 million |
Where the Heart Is is a 2000 American romantic drama film directed by Matt Williams and starring Natalie Portman, Stockard Channing, Ashley Judd, and Joan Cusack with supporting roles by James Frain, Dylan Bruno, Keith David, and Sally Field. The screenplay, written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, is based on the best-selling 1995 novel of the same name by Billie Letts. The film follows five years in the life of Novalee Nation, a pregnant 17-year-old who is abandoned by her boyfriend at a Walmart in a small Oklahoma town. She secretly moves into the store, where she eventually gives birth to her baby, which attracts media attention. With the help of friends, she makes a new life for herself in the town.
Novalee Nation (Natalie Portman)—a 17-year-old with a seven-month pregnancy and an aversion to the number 5—is abandoned by her boyfriend Willy Jack Pickens (Dylan Bruno) at a Walmart store in Sequoyah, Oklahoma when they stop to buy shoes. While stranded, she befriends Thelma "Sister" Husband (Stockard Channing), who presents her with a buckeye tree and local photographer Moses Whitecotton (Keith David), who advises her to give her baby a strong name. Novalee also becomes acquainted with surly librarian Forney Hull (James Frain) who cares for his mentally and physically unwell sister Mary Elizabeth (Margaret Hoard). During a thunderstorm, Novalee, who has been living undetected inside the Walmart, goes into labour. Forney, now in awe of Novalee, smashes through the window to help deliver the child, whom Novalee names Americus. Novalee instantly becomes a media darling and is befriended by local nurse Lexie Coop (Ashley Judd). Her estranged mother Mama Lil (Sally Field) visits after seeing her daughter on television, but disappears with the money donated by well-wishers, after which Sister Husband offers to take in both Novalee and Americus.
Novalee trains as a photographer under Moses' mentorship while working at Walmart. A tornado blows through Sequoyah and Sister Husband is killed, but Novalee discovers she is the beneficiary of Sister's estate, and builds a new home for herself and Americus. Meanwhile, Willy Jack, who had continued his trip to California, is sent to prison for picking up a minor carrying stolen goods. He writes a song, and upon release travels to Nashville, where he teams with cranky music agent Ruth Meyers (Joan Cusack) who gives him a makeover and the stage name "Billy Shadow." Novalee arrives in Las Vegas to accept a photo contest award after submitting an image of Americus—who had previously survived an abduction attempt—and the still-standing buckeye tree amidst the damage from the storm. Simultaneously, Willy Jack—who happens to be in the same hotel—is informed that his old cellmate is suing him for plagiarism, and Ruth drops Willy Jack as a client for disloyalty. Upon her return to Sequoyah, Novalee discovers Lexie has been attacked by a new love interest who molested her two eldest children. Lexie's injuries hinder her nursing job, and since she is unable pay rent she and her children move in with Novalee and Americus.
Mary Elizabeth later passes away, and when Forney does not appear at the funeral, Novalee finds him in a hotel and comforts him. They act on the feelings they have long denied and spend the night together. Forney confesses his love, but Novalee confides in Lexie she has never considered herself good enough for Forney and is confused about her feelings for him. Believing his life would be a dead end with her, Novalee lies to Forney, claiming she does not love him, leaving Forney heartbroken. Novalee learns that Lexie is seeing Ernie (Bob Coonrod), an exterminator who lacks the physical attributes she prefers, but whom she fell in love with after learning he gave his ex-wife his restored 1967 Chevy Camaro in exchange for custody of his stepdaughter whom he adopted as his own. The couple marry, and Lexie informs Novalee that she is pregnant.
Severely depressed at his ruined career following the lawsuit, Willy Jack becomes a depressed alcoholic. He wanders off drunk one night and collapses on a railroad track, resulting in a passing train severing both his legs. On Americus's 5th birthday, Novalee reads an article about Willy Jack's accident, visits him in hospital, and realises he is a changed man, but warns him never to contact Americus. After driving Willy Jack home to Tennessee, she visits Forney at Bowdoin College where she confesses her love for him, and they return to Sequoyah where they marry in a ceremony held in the Walmart, surrounded by their close friends.
Jim Beaver had a part in the film as Clawhammer, but his scene was deleted.
Original music for the film was produced by Mason Daring. A soundtrack of the original music was released by RCA Records, as well as a music compilation soundtrack featuring songs used in the film by artists such as Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, Martina McBride, and John Hiatt.
The song "That's the Beat of a Heart" was performed by The Warren Brothers and Sara Evans. A music video was made for the song, which is included as a bonus extra on the DVD release and features a number of scenes from the film.
The film received mostly negative reviews. Metacritic gives it a score of 30% based on reviews from 28 critics.[1] Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 35% approval rating, based on reviews from 97 critics, with the site's consensus stating that the film's "poor script and messy plot undermines the decent cast."[2]
The film opened in theaters in the United States on April 28, 2000. Where the Heart Is accumulated (USD)$8,292,939 in its opening weekend, opening at number 4.
The film went on to make $33,772,838 at the North American box office, and an additional $7,090,880 internationally for a worldwide total of $40,863,718.[3]