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Poster for Places in the Heart

Places in the Heart

The story of a woman fighting for her children, for her land, for the greatest dream there is... the future.

1984 · 1h 51m · PG Drama
Directed by Robert Benton

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Overview

In 1935 rural Texas, recently widowed Edna Spaulding 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 teach Edna how to plant and harvest cotton.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
90%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Places in the Heart is a loving, reflective homage to his hometown by writer-director Robert Benton.

Variety Staff, Variety
Fresh

Much is unemphatic, but all of it carries the moving weight of conviction. And it ends on a healing grace-note which passeth all understanding.

Derek Adams, Time Out
Fresh

[Benton's] memories provide the material for a wonderful movie, and he has made it, but unfortunately he hasn't stopped at that. He has gone on to include too much.

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Fresh

Out of the memories of his boyhood in Waxahachie, Tex., during the Great Depression, and within the unlikely tradition of the old-fashioned ''mortgage'' melodrama, Robert Benton has made one of the best films in years about growing up American.

Vincent Canby, New York Times

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