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Places in the Heart

Play trailer Poster for Places in the Heart PG 1984 1h 51m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 41 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In 1935 rural Texas, recently widowed Edna Spalding struggles to survive with two small children, a farm to run and very little money in the bank -- not to mention a deadly tornado and the unwelcome presence of the Ku Klux Klan. Edna is aided by her beautician sister, Margaret; a blind boarder, Mr. Will; and a would-be thief, Moze, who decides to stick around to teach Edna how to plant and harvest cotton.
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Places in the Heart

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Critics Consensus

Places in the Heart is a quiet character piece with grand ambitions that it more than fulfills, thanks to absorbing work from writer-director Robert Benton and a tremendous cast.

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Critics Reviews

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Judy Stone San Francisco Chronicle Dec 8, 2025
4/4
Director Robert Benton weaves the strands of his characters' lives in a memorable and moving fashion. It's extraordinary in its grace, beauty and suggestion of reconciliation and forgiveness. Go to Full Review Catharine Rambeau Detroit Free Press Dec 8, 2025
9/10
John Malkovich gives an Academy Award-caliber performance, and a fine cast make this an extraordinary film experience. Go to Full Review Megan Rosenfeld Washington Post Mar 23, 2020
You must simply accept the flood of emotion and let it wash over you, because the tears are jerked by performances that are informed by intelligence and taste as well as emotional honesty. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Feb 9, 2026
3.5/4
...a slow-moving yet increasingly absorbing drama that benefits from Field’s often mesmerizing turn as the sympathetic protagonist... Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 14, 2025
4/4
Even in a year that included the formidable likes of Amadeus, Stop Making Sense, and The Terminator, this earns my vote as the best picture of 1984. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Jan 17, 2025
9/10
The performances all around are tremendous. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 27, 2026 Places In the Heart = a 4.5 star Movie! See more judy b @Wondereoman Dec 27, 2025 This film was so well made and realistic in portraying the hard times during the 30’s. I was not expecting to be in tears at the ending. Sally Fields is such a wonderful actress and the rest of the cast were great as well. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 6, 2025 Success in 1 hour and 51 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy 41st anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more jacob c @RT09118617 Mar 22, 2025 Earnest and moving, with help from a very solid cast. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 Feb 10, 2025 A fairly formulaic 30s Texan drama with all the expected characters. There’s an affair going on between minor characters which seems to be oddly shoehorned into the film but bares little purpose to the main narrative. It is well acted and a good watch. Part of my list of Best Picture nominees. Rather difficult to find these days so I rented it on Amazon Prime. See more Mike P @RT09890132 Dec 31, 2024 After wading knee deep in all the hippy progressiveness and culture shock of the 70s with Kramer vs Kramer... Now director Robert Benton takes a hard pivot into Little House on the Prairie territory...With this classic story of a woman fighting to save her farm from greedy bankers...So this is very traditional, old school Americana...Brilliantly evoked by Benton; who gets the tone, the lingo and the sets just right... So this isn't exactly cutting edge stuff; it's a throwback; but it works beautifully nonetheless. See more Read all reviews
Places in the Heart

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Cast & Crew

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Robert Benton

Director

Sally Field

Edna Spalding

Lindsay Crouse

Margaret Lomax

John Malkovich

Mr. Will

Ed Harris

Wayne Lomax

Amy Madigan

Viola Kelsey

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Places in the Heart

Places in the Heart (1984) Places in the Heart (1984) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1935 rural Texas, recently widowed Edna Spalding struggles to survive with two small children, a farm to run and very little money in the bank -- not to mention a deadly tornado and the unwelcome presence of the Ku Klux Klan. Edna is aided by her beautician sister, Margaret; a blind boarder, Mr. Will; and a would-be thief, Moze, who decides to stick around to teach Edna how to plant and harvest cotton.
Director
Robert Benton
Producer
Arlene Donovan
Distributor
TriStar Pictures
Production Co
Delphi II, TriStar Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 21, 1984, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 23, 2014
Runtime
1h 51m
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