Places in the Heart Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Texan widow hires a blind man and a hobo to grow cotton, thus proving that you CAN make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, but you probably shouldn’t.

🍿 Places in the Heart: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Sudden Widowhood

In 1935 Waxahachie, Texas, Edna Spalding’s life is upended when her husband, Sheriff Royce Spalding, is accidentally shot by a young Black man. Edna is left to care for her two children, Frank and Possum, during the Great Depression. With little financial knowledge or experience, she faces the daunting task of saving her family’s farm.

An Unlikely Partnership

Facing foreclosure, Edna is determined to keep her home. Moze, a Black itinerant worker with cotton farming experience, arrives seeking work. Despite initial hesitation and Moze’s later theft of silverware, Edna hires him to help plant a cotton crop. The local banker, Mr. Denby, pressures Edna to take in his blind brother-in-law, Mr. Will, as a boarder, adding to the household’s dynamics.

Trials and Tribulations

Edna, Moze, and Mr. Will face numerous challenges, including the plummeting cotton prices and a devastating tornado. They must overcome prejudice, economic hardship, and physical exhaustion to harvest their crop. A subplot involves Edna’s sister, Margaret, whose husband Wayne is having an affair, adding another layer of emotional complexity to the community.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Edna Spalding (Sally Field): A resilient widow in 1930s Texas who struggles to save her farm and provide for her children after her husband’s death.
• Moze (Danny Glover): An itinerant black handyman who helps Edna grow cotton and navigate the challenges of the Depression era South.
• Mr. Will (John Malkovich): A blind World War I veteran who boards with Edna and provides unexpected support and friendship.
• Margaret Lomax (Lindsay Crouse): Edna’s sister who runs a beauty shop and grapples with her husband’s infidelity during hard times.
• Wayne Lomax (Ed Harris): Margaret’s husband who is caught in an affair, creating conflict and tension within the family and community.
• Viola Kelsey (Amy Madigan): A schoolteacher who engages in an affair with Wayne, complicating relationships within the small Texas town.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Edna Spalding: “Possum, put that up now.” – Edna says this to her daughter at the dinner table, setting a scene.
• Royce Spalding: “Our Heavenly Father, bless this meal and all those who are about to receive it… And make us mindful of those less fortunate among us.” – Royce recites grace before the meal, showcasing the family’s values and the era’s sensibilities.
• Mr. Will: “What do you look like?” – Mr. Will asks Edna as he is blind and cannot see her.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $9,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $34,901,614
• Worldwide Gross: $34,901,614

💥 Places in the Heart Reviews

Personal Review

Places in the Heart just resonated with me. Sally Field is incredible as Edna, and the way she finds strength in the face of unbelievable hardship is truly inspiring. The final scene is so powerful, it left me speechless; it’s a beautiful reminder that forgiveness and fellowship can overcome anything. This is one movie I’ll never forget. Especially liked the twist in the end.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about overcoming adversity”
  • “People who appreciate strong female leads”
  • “Those interested in films exploring themes of race and social injustice”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Racism and racial violence”
  • “Brief depiction of a lynching”
  • “Infidelity”
  • “Tornado disaster”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Robert Benton’s deeply personal film beautifully captures the hardships and small triumphs of life in Depression-era Texas. Sally Field delivers a powerhouse performance as a woman fighting against all odds.
• Roger Ebert: “A well-acted, if somewhat disjointed, film with strong performances from Sally Field, John Malkovich, and Danny Glover. The ending, while attempting to be profound, feels tacked on and unearned.

Audience Reactions

The final scene in the church is incredibly moving and thought-provoking.: Viewers praise the film’s powerful performances and its depiction of resilience and community in the face of adversity.

Overall Consensus: A poignant drama with standout performances and a memorable ending, though some find the plot disjointed.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Actress)- 1985
2. Academy Award (Best Original Screenplay)- 1985

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Although they first met years earlier, actor Ed Harris and actress Amy Madigan got married after working together on this film.”
• “Robert Benton set the film in his birthplace of Waxahachie, Texas in 1935, three years after he was born there.”
• “The film is loosely based on director Robert Benton’s childhood memories and experiences growing up in Waxahachie during the Great Depression.”

🖥️ How to Watch Places in the Heart?

As of October 2024, “Places in the Heart” is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television broadcast schedules. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Places in the Heart, you might like these similar films:

• To Kill a Mockingbird (1962): Both films explore themes of racial injustice, prejudice, and moral courage in the Depression-era South.
• The Grapes of Wrath (1940): Both movies depict the struggles of families facing poverty and hardship during the Great Depression, emphasizing resilience and the importance of community.
• Norma Rae (1979): Like Edna Spalding, Norma Rae is a determined woman fighting against overwhelming odds and social injustice.

🛒 Places in the Heart Related Products

• Places in the Heart [Blu-ray]: Experience Robert Benton’s classic on stunning Blu-ray, with enhanced picture and sound quality, capturing the heart of Depression-era Texas.
• Texas Farm Life Vintage Poster: Vintage-style poster captures the essence of farm life in 1930s Texas, adding a rustic touch to your home decor.
• Depression Era Cooking: Recipes and Stories: A collection of authentic recipes and stories from the Great Depression, offering a glimpse into the culinary practices of the time.

🎧 Soundtrack

Places in the Heart features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “In The Garden” – performed by Traditional Gospel Hymn
• “Blessed Assurance” – performed by Traditional Gospel Hymn
• “La Golondrina” – performed by Instrumental

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Sally Field winning an Oscar® for “Places in the Heart”

Ever wonder why Sally Field is so beloved? Witness her emotional Oscar win for ‘Places in the Heart’ – it’s a truly inspiring moment!

Places in the Heart (1984) – Last Scene

The ending of ‘Places in the Heart’ is incredibly powerful and thought-provoking. See for yourself – it’s a scene that will stay with you!

In The Garden

This video combines some of the most beautiful scenes with an amazing song from the movie, ‘In The Garden.’ Watch it to understand better the movie!

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