Places in the Heart
A widowed Texas farmer recruits unlikely allies to save her family and struggling cotton farm amid Depression-era hardship and racial violence.
Overview
A woman's resilience is tested as she battles to keep her family and farm together during the Great Depression.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- wistful
- compassionate
- quietly funny
- reflective evening
- historical drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Robert Benton's absorbing, ambitious character drama for its tremendous performances and moving depiction of Depression-era American life.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Edna must plant and harvest cotton, withstand storms, and meet a mortgage payment to preserve her farm and family.
The widowed Edna relies on the wandering Moze and blind boarder Mr. Will as they build a fragile support system.
Moze's work with Edna unfolds within Depression-era Texas racial segregation and the threat of Ku Klux Klan violence.
Cotton fields, harsh labor, and a tornado externalize the family's vulnerability and struggle for stability.
Films like Places in the Heart, and why
The River
period rural drama centered on economic hardship, family survival, and social injustice
Country
emotionally direct Depression-era drama exploring poverty, dignity, and community bonds
The Dollmaker
quiet historical character piece combining domestic struggle, racial tension, and moral resilience
Norma Rae
intimate American drama about hardship, family, and racial injustice in a period setting
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Benton
- Release Date
- 1984-09-11
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (203)
Cast
- Sally Field
- Lindsay Crouse
- John Malkovich
- Danny Glover
- Ed Harris
- Ray Baker
- Amy Madigan
- Terry O'Quinn
- Bert Remsen
- Jay Patterson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 Places in the Heart about?
- A widowed Texas farmer recruits unlikely allies to save her family and struggling cotton farm amid Depression-era hardship and racial violence.
- What is Places in the Heart like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Places in the Heart as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Places in the Heart violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Places in the Heart as moderate.
- What did critics think of Places in the Heart?
- Critics broadly praised Robert Benton's absorbing, ambitious character drama for its tremendous performances and moving depiction of Depression-era American life.
- Which films are like Places in the Heart?
- Films with a similar feel include The River, Country, The Dollmaker, and Norma Rae.
- How long is Places in the Heart?
- Places in the Heart runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Places in the Heart?
- In United States, Places in the Heart streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
