secondtake Places of the Heart (1984)A strong melodrama set in Depression Texas, and starring a wonderful Sally Field as the matriarch of a farming family. The plot follows some heartwarming paths that we've seen before, but with Danny Glover and Ed Harris helping in smaller roles, and a generally strong cast, the feeling of being on this old farm is believable. The bank threatens, racism raises its head, and the sky opens up its wrath.All of this is just a matter of perseverance for this family. Eventually some cotton is grown, and a race to be first in with the crop leads to a hot and harrowing final few scenes. Director and writer Robert Benton is returning to his own roots for this movie—it's set in his home town, though he was only three when these events are set. It feels like a romanticized autobiographical tale, something seen from a kid's point of view. The tacked on affair by Ed Harris is superficial, and the racist attack at the end is awful but not built into the story very well. In fact, this isn't what you would call a masterpiece—there are loose ends and a feel good arc that get in the way. Even the photography by highly regarded Nestor Almendros is beautiful but contained, as if paced to be classic without being drippingly gorgeous. The tornado scene is quite dramatic, of course, and well done, and there are moments—Sally field coming through the sunny hallway to the screendoor—that are stunning. But these are a film critic's gripes. I watched it all with joy and interest, and when it was done was glad for nearly every minute.

Brian T. Whitlock (GOWBTW) Sally Field is at her best here. 1984 was her year. 5 years earlier she did "Norma Rae" that won her an Oscar. And she does it again in "Places in the Heart". Set in 1935 Texas. The Great Depression was in affect. Field plays Edna Spalding, a housewife who ends up being a widow when her husband is accidentally shot and killed by a young drunk African American. He in return is dragged and later hanged. After the bank tells her that money is scarce, she is forced to sell her property. A drifter name Moses (Danny Glover) wanted to help Edna with the cotton fields. She declined the offer, but gives him a meal. Since both are in desperation, he steals the silver spoons, and she gives Moses the offer. Experienced in cotton picking, Moses explain on how it works. Though the bank was a bit unwilling with Edna's persistent nature, he enlisted his blind brother-in-law, Will (John Malkovich) to help the widow and Moses. Obstacles came out to hinder things: The storm. And the KKK after the first sale of cotton. Edna was grateful for Moses for his help, and he took it well with pride. Pride can get in the way of life, when someone offer you a hand, Take it. This movie is a winner. No doubt about that. Sally Field did very well, for the second time. This movie is a gem. A must see. 5 stars.

Jackson Booth-Millard Many know the famous speech that the leading actress gave when she won her second Academy Award for this film, "I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!" (often misquoted as "You like me! You really like me!"), I was looking forward to watching, from Oscar nominated director Robert Benton (Kramer vs. Kramer). Basically set in Waxahachie, Texas in 1935, a place where white people and white people mostly separate themselves from each other, Sheriff Royce Spalding (Ray Baker) is investigating trouble at the railroad when he is accidentally shot dead by young black boy Wylie (De'voreaux White), white vigilantes punish him dragging behind a truck for all the community to see, including Spalding's family. The Sheriff's wife Edna Spalding (Oscar and Golden Globe winning Sally Field) is now alone to take care of her small children Frank (Yankton Hatten) and Possum (Gennie James) and maintain the farm, added pressure comes from her other family, her sister Margaret Lomax (Oscar nominated Lindsay Crouse) who cannot help because of her own family and her beauty shop, and her husband's brother-in-law Mr. Will (Oscar nominated John Malkovich) blinded in the war who becomes a lodger on the farm. The cotton crop is planted for the farm to make it's money, money is scarce and worse news is that the price of cotton is decreasing, she gives black drifter Moze (Danny Glover) work without payment, giving him meals instead, the handyman though is not satisfied and steals silverware to make some money, he is caught in the act but forgiven as he is the one who knows the cotton growing and marketing. Edna is determined to keep the family together and preserve the farm, and she sees the opportunity to win money they need to keep going, Ellis County prize has a prize of $100 that will go to the first bale of cotton brought to market, but she needs more cotton pickers who cannot be paid, she joins those that she finds to help her, bleeding herself in the thorns to finish the work, while Will cooks the food to reward the workers. Edna and Moze are the first to the wholesaler and do everything they can to convince the owner of how much the cotton bale is worth, it is unclear as to whether they win the prize or not, and returning to the farm Moze is confronted by Ku Klux Klan members, he is rescued by Will, but he decides reluctantly to move on, while Viola Kelsey (Amy Madigan) is departing with her husband Buddy (Terry O'Quinn) to Houston, after ending an affair with Edna's brother-in-law. In the end the film finishes where it all started, in church where the community are taking communion, Wayne Lomax (Ed Harris) passes to Margaret, and the bread and wine goes from to character to character, both those who are still living and dead, and the last words are spoken by Wylie to the Sheriff, obviously it is his actions that later lead to everything else. Also starring Lois & Clark's Lane Smith as Albert Denby and Bert Remsen as Tee Tot Hightower. Field is wonderful as the feisty and endearing small- town farmer and mother who goes through pain and graft to support her family, Malkovich is likable as the blind man who bonds with her, Glover gets his moments as the black man who is vulnerable but helps, and Harris gets a few small scenes doing his usual good job. Set in the Depression Era you know it is going to be full of despair and other small harsh realities of life, seeing the bleeding hands picking the cotton is most compelling, obviously there are the heartwarming scenes as well with the family orientation and community values, and it is paced well, it is a pleasant and enjoyable period drama. It won the Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for Benton, and it was nominated for Best Picture and Best Costume Design, and it was nominated the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Screenplay. Very good!

gcd70 Scene after scene delights in this tale of tragedy and the strength of the human spirit. Writer-director Robert Benton handles the drama superbly and realistically (once again showing his expertise as he did with "Kramer vs. Kramer"); the cast members do likewise. "Places in the Heart" is a great tear-jerker that will also make you smile, many times. A must see film about human triumph over disaster.Sally Field earned a well-deserved Oscar as she delivered a great performance along with Danny Glover as Moses and John Malkovich as Mr. Will. "Places in the Heart" was nominated for seven Oscars in total, including Best Picture. Along with Sally Field, Robert Benton got the nod for his fine original screenplay.Tuesday, November 26, 1991 - VideoOne of the best dramas of our time. This magnificent film never fails to stir the emotions. The whole cast is brilliant, as is Robert Benton's direction. Great cinema.Monday, April 20, 1992 - Video