Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- warm
- sentimental
- hopeful
- lazy sunday
- comfort viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found the decent cast unable to overcome a poor script and messy plot.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Novalee begins abandoned, pregnant, unemployed, and nearly penniless before establishing a new life in Sequoyah.
Eccentric strangers in Sequoyah help Novalee raise Americus and recover after Willie Jack abandons her.
Novalee is seventeen and pregnant when she must independently protect and raise her daughter.
Sequoyah, Oklahoma becomes Novalee's adopted home and the setting for her recovery and new relationships.
Films like Where the Heart Is, and why
Sweet Home Alabama
shares a warm, small-town romantic drama tone centered on rebuilding a life after abandonment and hardship
The Notebook
shares a coming-of-age romance, resilient young protagonist, and sentimental rags-to-stability arc
Steel Magnolias
shares an uplifting women-centered drama about community support, motherhood, and personal reinvention
Waitress
shares a romantic comedy-drama structure built around an unconventional protagonist finding belonging in a small community
Movie Details
- Director
- Matt Williams
- Release Date
- 2000-04-27
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (764)
Cast
- Natalie Portman
- Ashley Judd
- Stockard Channing
- Joan Cusack
- Sally Field
- James Frain
- Dylan Bruno
- Keith David
- Ray Prewitt
- Laura House
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Where the Heart Is about?
- After being abandoned at a rural Oklahoma Walmart, a pregnant teenager transforms an unlikely refuge into a new home for herself and her daughter.
- What is Where the Heart Is like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Where the Heart Is as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Where the Heart Is violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Where the Heart Is as mild.
- What did critics think of Where the Heart Is?
- Critics generally found the decent cast unable to overcome a poor script and messy plot.
- Which films are like Where the Heart Is?
- Films with a similar feel include Sweet Home Alabama, The Notebook, Steel Magnolias, and Waitress.
- How long is Where the Heart Is?
- Where the Heart Is runs 120 minutes.
- Where can I watch Where the Heart Is?
- In United States, Where the Heart Is is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
