Places in the Heart

Movie review by Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media
Places in the Heart Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

Inspiring, intense tale about hardship, bigotry, redemption.

PG 1984 111 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 14+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 18+

Based on 2 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

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.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Stands out for and .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Places in the Heart is set in Texas during The Great Depression and shows a community dealing with poverty, lack of hope, and racial prejudice. Important messages about family, compassion, and respect for individual differences are effectively delivered. Several dramatic sequences are suspenseful and scary (a shooting, a beating, a turbulent storm); other scenes dealing with the bigotry of the time are highly charged and unsettling (the "N" word is used). Though outcomes are inspirational and prove that human goodness and ingenuity are rewarded, there are sad moments (spoiler alert: a father is killed; a young African-American is lynched; a violent storm threatens a town). A sub-plot concerns an adulterous relationship (some kissing, embracing, no nudity). Characters smoke; wine is used in a religious ceremony.

Community Reviews

Ken R.
Ken R. Adult
November 8, 2022
age 14+

Takes It Place Among The Better Films Of The 80s

This uncommon film offers a thinking man’s look at life in the Deep South --from both sides of the color bar-- It’s different because it attempts to show the good and bad from several viewpoints. OK, perhaps it might be said there’s a little too much time spent on the Sister's affair, but everything else is special. Performances are impressive, especially Sally Field and her immediate main co-stars. An important contribution to its success must be attributed to highly regarded Spanish cinematographer Nestor Almendros (Days Of Heaven ’78) who lovingly captures natural sweeping vistas, even when they are being earnt with blood sweat and tears. But it's Robert (Kramer V/S Kramer ’79) Benton’s thoughtful script and direction that breaths believable life into these hard working characters – amid recollections of his own youth. Life is hard for these farmers in the backwoods of Waxahachie Texas during the 1935 depression, especially when personal tragedy strikes early in the story. John Kandor (Cabaret ’66) creates an original score comprising several standards and traditional pieces, setting the era nicely. This highly Awarded picture (2 Academy’s & 5 nominations) probably wouldn’t get more than a passing look-in among today’s mega budget-comic book Hollywood, but was certainly a breath of fresh air in 1984. Sally Field seems to have had a poor self-image judging from her curious and oft mocked acceptance speech but certainly worked hard and deserved her honors, as she did for her earlier ‘Norma Rae’ in ‘79. For those that enjoy slice-of-life dramas about times past, this should still prove interesting. Benton’s beguiling choice for ending his story certainly makes for a solid examination of life’s more enigmatic outcomes.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Sarah R.
Sarah R. Adult
May 27, 2021
age 14+

Great Movie heartfelt and period piece

This movie had overwhelming positive message. It show that piece ones out in the end over violence and hatred. There is a fair amount of use of the N-word but I think that's because of the time period of when the film was. There was also a lot of violence as I'm sure there was in that setting in time period. Aside the language this could be a good family movie especially with a family older children

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much swearing
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When her husband is unexpectedly killed, Edna Spalding (Sally Field ) must deal with her profound grief, sudden full responsibility for her two children, and the realities of poverty in the midst of the Depression of the mid-1930s. PLACES IN THE HEART takes the previously sheltered Edna on an astonishing journey toward independence, maturity, and self-reliance. Her reconstituted Texas family, which includes an itinerant African-American thief and an embittered blind victim of The Great War, join in her struggle to save her home and her ideals from greedy business interests, natural disaster, and prejudice.

Is It Any Good?

Nominated for seven Academy Awards (with wins for Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay), this film has a heartfelt story and insightful messages about compassion, integrity, and perseverance. In addition to Sally Fields' strong, nuanced performance as Edna, writer/director Robert Benton has created a tapestry of richly-defined characters in the community around her. Places in the Heart's standout performances are delivered by Lindsay Crouse, Danny Glover, John Malkovich, Ed Harris, and Amy Madigan. Seeing this sincere recreation of Mr. Benton's hometown and its people during the challenging Depression era will likely be an enlightening and moving experience for older kids, teens, and their families.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can discuss the unique nature of Edna's "new" family in Places in the Heart. How does that reflect the variety of family structures in the United States today?

  • Use Edna's experience with the bank and Moze's encounters with the cotton merchant as examples of prejudices against both women and racial minorities. How much has changed since the events in this movie? Do you think we have further to go? .Why?

  • Did the film's ending have a major impact on you? What do you think the filmmaker's intention was? What did they want you to take away from this movie?

  • How do the characters in Places in the Heart demonstrate compassion, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

Character Strengths

Find more movies that help kids build character.

  • Holding hands
    Compassion
    See all
  • Child cross country skiing
    Perseverance
    See all
  • Hands together
    Teamwork
    See all

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