Father and child sit together smiling while looking at a smart phone.

Want more recommendations for your family?

Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration

Parents' Guide to

Where the Heart Is

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

A chick flick that's as yummy as eating bon-bons.

Movie PG-13 2000 121 minutes
Where the Heart Is Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 16+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Julia M.
Julia M. Adult
March 4, 2021
age 16+

Main Character was a lacking personality

I liked it but i need find it a little bit boring. I felt like the main character was a little boring and lifeless (Even thought Natalie Portman is a great actress) There is a little bit of violence, sex and drugs in it. Its appropriate for ages 16 and up.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
lenny L.
lenny L. Parent
December 17, 2016
age 16+
I thought this film was a great film to watch as an adult and with your older teen children depending on maturity. It provokes great life lessons. Contrary to other reviews I thought it was good although the bad language did spoil it a little I think the film tried to show the lifestyles and authenticity. The sex scenes were fairly brief but again can be a good discussion point. I thought there were some unnecessary sexual references as with a lot of films but it focused on family. A good hearted guy that takes on someone else's child. A relationship not only based on sex. Also a girl that could have chosen abortion but instead chose life can be a great role model for confused teenage girls. It was also about sacrifice and so overall despite a little too much sex and bad language I think the film is very positive. This being said if I were to show it to a younger teen I might skip some of the more adult scenes.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

WHERE THE HEART IS stars Natalie Portman as Novalee Nation, a pregnant 17-year-old abandoned at a Wal-Mart by her boyfriend. She moves into the Wal-Mart, keeping careful track of everything she takes, and becomes something of a sensation when she ends up having the baby in the Wal-Mart. Sister Husband (Stockard Channing), a dotty but affectionate recovering alcoholic, takes her in. Novalee makes two other friends -- Lexie (Ashley Judd), a kind-hearted nurse who is always looking for Mr. Right but finding herself pregnant instead, and Forney (James Frain) a brilliant librarian with a sad secret. Novalee and her friends cope with tragedy and learn to "let go of what's gone and hold on like hell to what they've got." They acknowledge the sadness and unfairness and meanness in life, but they "hold on to the goodness and pass it on." Novalee and Lexie must also learn that they deserve to be loved and cared for.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (7 ):

You don't have to ask where the heart is in this movie – it's all heart. All of the elements are there -- a plucky heroine with adversity to overcome; a love interest who is cute, patient, and endlessly devoted, and who completely adores the heroine's daughter; an abashed ex-love interest to realize the error of his ways; and an assortment of women friends, also endlessly devoted, to support and be supported, and everyone just as colorful and quirky as can be.

This movie is worth seeing just to watch five of the finest actresses in movies. Natalie Portman is radiant as Novalee, and it is a pleasure to see her bloom before our eyes. Ashley Judd is delicious as Lexie, explaining that she named her children after snack foods and getting excited about each new husband prospect. And then she is heart-wrenching when she must deal with the unthinkable. Joan Cusack is sensational as a music promoter who has seen it all and has no illusions. Sally Fields contributes a magnificent cameo as Novalee's wayward mother. Just the way she smokes a cigarette tells us everything about her life since she left home. And Stockard Channing makes us see how Sister Husband's life may have left her a little addled on minor details, but utterly clear about the important things.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about one character's view that people lie because they are "scared or crazy or just mean," about another character's statement that "home is where they catch you when you fall" and about what makes it possible for some people to survive deprivation and tragedy. They should also talk about what made it difficult for Lexie and Novalee to accept love from good men. And they should talk about the extraordinary kindness the characters show each other, particularly the thoughtful way that Sister Husband invites Novalee and her baby to live with her, making it sound as though Novalee is doing her the favor.

Movie Details

Inclusion information powered by

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate