Places in the Heart ★★★ 1984 (PG) A young widow determines to make the best of a bad situation on a small farm in Depression-era Texas, fighting poverty, racism, and sexism while enduring back-breaking labor. Support group includes a blind veteran and a black drifter. Hokey but nonetheless moving film is improved significantly by strong performances by virtually everyone in the cast. In his debut, Malkovich shines through this stellar group. Effective dust-bowl photography by Nestor Almendros. 113m/C VHS, DVD, Wide. Sally Field, John Malkovich, Danny Glover, Ed Harris, Lindsay Crouse, Amy Madigan, Terry O'Quinn, Ned Dowd, Ray Baker;
Director:
Robert Benton;
Writer:
Robert Benton;
Writer:
Nestor Almendros;
Cameo:
Howard Shore. Oscars '84: Actress (Field), Orig. Screenplay; Golden Globes '85: Actress—Drama (Field); Natl. Bd. of Review '84: Support. Actor (Malkovich); N.Y. Film Critics '84: Screenplay; Natl. Soc. Film Critics '84: Support. Actor (Malkovich).
