Cheap Places in the Heart (DVD) (Sally Field, Lindsay Crouse, Ed Harris) (Robert Benton) Price

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Customer Reviews of Places in the Heart

An American Classic
For my money, this "save the farm" feature was the best film of 1984, edging out The Killing Fields, The Terminator and Stop Making Sense. Nominated for seven Academy Awards (including Best Picture), this box office sleeper earned two statues: Best Actress for Sally Field and Best Original Screenplay for Robert Benton (who also directed). Still, how Nestor Almendros' gorgeous cinematography failed to score even a nomination remains a mystery.

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A SUBTLE, SUBLIME TREASURE OF A MOVIE!
Sally Fields, Danny Glover, John Malkovich and Ed Harris star in "Places In The Heart" as poignant family saga set during the Great Depression. When Emma Spalding's (Fields) husband is accidentally killed she learns that her financial situation is precariously perched on the acquisition of several acres of farm land and its cultivation for a cotton crop. To aid in her money problems, Mrs. Spalding takes in a blind man, Mr. Will (Malkovich) and hires a hobo, Moses (Glover). There are scenes that you will never forget and a real tear jerker of an ending.Sally Fields won her second Best Actress Oscar for this role.
Columbia Tristar has given us the film in a rather mediocre transfer. Colors are faded. Contrast can, at times be low. There is some minor pixelization and edge enhancement that intrudes. Chips, scratches, dirt and film grain are all quite visible. The sound is 2.0 surround and rather disappointing, suffering from a weak characteristic throughout. There are no extras to speak of. BOTTOM LINE: Say yes to the film because it is great entertainment, and try to overlook the rather lack luster transfer, if you can.
Aside: I suppose I should begin each review by stating that my marks (stars)that I give in rating the films are indicative of picture and sound quality and have nothing to do with my overall like or dislike of a movie based on its plot. This is why some universally acclaimed movies, from time to time, may get a less than stellar rating. Everything is based on the digital quality of the disc - how it looks and sounds. Mine is not a Roger Ebert film review.

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"Places in the Heart" Wins Hearts All Over Again
Now that "Places in the Heart" has been re-released on VHS and DVD, many more people will be able to experience this 1984 classic. Starring some of the acting greats like Sally Field, John Malkovich, Ed Harris, and Danny Glover, "Places in the Heart" is a realistic look at the lives and views of people in the 1930s. This movie tackles issues such as racism, adultery, and people learning to "live again" after they've had to overcome many obstacles.

Edna Spalding (Sally Field) plays a woman recently widowed who suddenly has to figure out how to support herself and two children during Depression times. Moze (Danny Glover), a black man looking for room and board, offers the "crazy" suggestion of growing cotton and, desperate to try anything to keep her family together, Spalding steps up to the challenge. More important than Spalding's need for money, she must prove to herself and those around her that she can take care of her family. She had always just been a wife and a mother and nothing more had previously been asked of her. A blind boarder, Mr. Will (John Malkovich), "sees" the harshness and bigotries of life and is a quiet yet interesting observer of what's going on around him. Also added to this mix are Spalding's brother-in-law Wayne (Ed Harris) and sister Margaret (Lindsay Crouse) who go through marital struggles when Wayne becomes involved with another woman (Amy Madigan). They fight the basic human problem of being good people but making bad decisions.

Field's performance as Spalding is a great one--evidenced by her Best Actress Oscar for the role. Another Oscar was rewarded for Best Overall Screenplay and nominations were made for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Malkovich), Best Supporting Actress (Crouse), and Best Costume Design. Though "Places in the Heart" is often overlooked, it's a wonderful film overflowing with love, bravery, friendship, and strength of character.