Places in the Heart (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
After her sheriff husband is killed, Edna Spalding (Sally Field) is forced to take over the debt-ridden Texas farm herself in 'Places in the Heart', a Depression-era drama written & directed by Robert Benton (Kramer vs. Kramer). Though grief-stricken by the fact that a young black man was responsible for her husband's tragic death, Edna accepts the help of another black man, Moze (Danny Glover). She is also given help & comfort by her sister, Margaret (Lindsay Crouse), Margaret's loving-but-cheating husband (Ed Harris), and interestingly enough, a blind boarder named Mr. Will (John Malkovich). With nearly insurmountable odds, Edna tries to manage a life-or-death cotton crop & to hold her farm & family together.
Throughout the movie, director Robert Benton stresses the importance of solidarity in facing & overcoming disastrous situations. Underlining this point is a surrealistic final scene, in which the living members of the cast are seen singing a hymn with the characters who have died in the course of the film. Though I appreciate this cinematic statement about hope on paper, I didn't love this ending, literally; marring, for me, what was a great movie-going experience up until then. But it certainly wasn't detrimental. And, in fact, I'm sure this surreal ending will resonate a lot with those who are heavily spiritual/religious. Still, it's a bold move. I just didn't jive with it. But aside from that, I really appreciated & enjoyed this film; starting & ending with some very affecting performances.
As Edna, Sally Field is warm, vulnerable, terrified, yet also exhibits strength when faced with those dire straits. The adultery subplot concerning Lindsay Crouse, Ed Harris, & Amy Madigan is handled with sensitivity. Though Moze does some bad things, Danny Glover really humanizes him. And John Malkovich is wonderfully enigmatic as Mr. Will, the blind boarder. He & Fields share a lovely scene together in her kitchen which really reeled me into their characters.
In fact, the whole film is lovely; with evocative visuals that conveys the beauty, & simplicity of 1930s rural life in a small town. The editing is leisurely. The drama of the story (how the varying characters survive hardship, a violent tornado, the Ku Klux Klan) is stellar, without ever dipping into melodrama. I really liked how each character (of differing backgrounds, races, etc.) risks their own lives to save others. Interesting bonds are forged. I could go on & on. 'Places in the Heart' won't raise you out of your seat with excitement. But it's one of those "hmm, I really, really liked that" type of quiet films that only come around a few times per year.
Throughout the movie, director Robert Benton stresses the importance of solidarity in facing & overcoming disastrous situations. Underlining this point is a surrealistic final scene, in which the living members of the cast are seen singing a hymn with the characters who have died in the course of the film. Though I appreciate this cinematic statement about hope on paper, I didn't love this ending, literally; marring, for me, what was a great movie-going experience up until then. But it certainly wasn't detrimental. And, in fact, I'm sure this surreal ending will resonate a lot with those who are heavily spiritual/religious. Still, it's a bold move. I just didn't jive with it. But aside from that, I really appreciated & enjoyed this film; starting & ending with some very affecting performances.
As Edna, Sally Field is warm, vulnerable, terrified, yet also exhibits strength when faced with those dire straits. The adultery subplot concerning Lindsay Crouse, Ed Harris, & Amy Madigan is handled with sensitivity. Though Moze does some bad things, Danny Glover really humanizes him. And John Malkovich is wonderfully enigmatic as Mr. Will, the blind boarder. He & Fields share a lovely scene together in her kitchen which really reeled me into their characters.
In fact, the whole film is lovely; with evocative visuals that conveys the beauty, & simplicity of 1930s rural life in a small town. The editing is leisurely. The drama of the story (how the varying characters survive hardship, a violent tornado, the Ku Klux Klan) is stellar, without ever dipping into melodrama. I really liked how each character (of differing backgrounds, races, etc.) risks their own lives to save others. Interesting bonds are forged. I could go on & on. 'Places in the Heart' won't raise you out of your seat with excitement. But it's one of those "hmm, I really, really liked that" type of quiet films that only come around a few times per year.