Review of Places in the Heart (1984) by Kenr — 08 Nov 2022

Places In The Heart – Takes Its Place Among the Better Entries of the 80s.

This uncommon film offers a thinking man’s look at life in the Deep South --from both sides of the color bar-- It’s different because it attempts to show the good and bad from several viewpoints. OK, perhaps it might be said there’s a little too much time spent on the Sisters affair, but everything else is special. Performances are impressive, especially Sally Field and her immediate main co-stars. An important contribution to its success must be attributed to highly regarded Spanish cinematographer Nestor Almendros (Days Of Heaven ’78) who lovingly captures natural sweeping vistas, even when they are being earnt with blood sweat, and tears. But it's Robert (Kramer V/S Kramer ’79) Benton’s thoughtful script and direction that breaths believable life into these hard working characters – amid recollections of his own youth. Life is hard for these farmers in the backwoods of Waxahachie Texas during the 1935 depression, especially when personal tragedy strikes early in the story.

John Kandor (Cabaret ’66) creates an original score comprising several standards and traditional pieces, setting the era nicely. This highly Awarded picture (2 Academy’s & 5 nominations) probably wouldn’t get more than a passing look-in among today’s mega budget-comic book Hollywood, but was certainly a breath of fresh air in 1984. Sally Field seems to have had a poor self-image judging from her curious and oft mocked acceptance speech but certainly worked hard and deserved her honors, as she did for her earlier ‘Norma Rae’ in ‘79. For those that enjoy slice-of-life dramas about times past, this should still prove interesting. Benton’s beguiling choice for ending his story certainly makes for a solid examination of life’s more enigmatic outcomes.