Places in the Heart (1984)
Company: Twilight Time
Starring: Sally Field, Lindsay Crouse, Ed Harris, Amy Madigan,
John Malkovich, Danny Glover.
Plot: Product Description: Unsentimental memory piece about
growing up in a small Texas town during the Great Depression. Focusing on a
young widow who suddenly has to support her two young children, the film
celebrates the community she gathers around her: a black hobo who begins as a
thief and winds up as a friend and mentor; a cranky blind boarder; a pragmatic
sister who is supporting her own family, including a husband with a penchant
for her best friend.
My Review and Thoughts:
Film: 5/5
This is a film that of pure Americana, and a powerful example of storytelling. Written and directed by a truly
gifted man, Richard Benton. Benton took an emotional subject and created the dramatic
world, and ultimate ordeals of pain and suffering, and the will to succeed no
matter what. Benton captured a true sense of life. The movie comes off as a
piece of flawless literature, but in filmed form. The characters are imaginative
and downright memorable to a flawless degree. A widow trying to save her farm
and feed her kids, a Black Hobo, an angry blind white man, a sister and her
problems all come off in a fantastic creation of emotional beauty. This displays the will
to live, and to fight for the will to strive in depression era sufferings.
Twilight Time has honored this piece of cinema with a lovely
Blu-ray release. This is a 1984 classic that I have often felt, has been over looked, and much under-appreciated. Places in the Heart is a stunning piece of cinema
with extraordinary acting, directing and utterly fantastic cinematography. The
cinematography is breathtaking. Nestor Almendros captured images and beauty
like a masterpiece on canvas. This film has some of the greatest cinematography.
Nestor also did one of my other favorite films of all time, the stunning,
Terrance Malick’s Days of Heaven. His eye for beauty, uniqueness is award worthy.
Places of the Heart is a prime example of the art form of film making through
his cinematography. Almendros captures flawless brilliance with Places of the
Heart.
Directed by a director that knows the imagery to capture, to
create memorable pieces of cinema. He not only is a director, but he is a dynamic writer. He penned the amazing films, 1967’s Bonnie and
Clyde, the fun superhero film, 1978’s Superman, and the award winning, 1979’s Kramer vs. Kramer which he also directed. He has
created many pieces of cinema showcasing his brilliance and expertise in crafting
films that matter.
Places of the Heart was nominated for 7 Academy Awards and won 2 of
them. Sally Field won her second Oscar for Best Actress for her role in Places
of the Heart. She deserved it. She created a breathless reality of performing.
Fields is one of those magical actresses that is pure cinematic history. Places
of the Heart also won for Best Screenplay. It’s a film that deserved all the
accolades given to it.
I think what ultimately needs to be showcased is the cast.
An unbelievable mix of acting perfection through many styles, and performing
mastery. As mentioned the talented Sally Field. Also the performance by Lindsay
Crouse. Crouse is a performer that I have often felt has never gotten the
limelight she so deserves. She is the very definition when it comes to the art
form of acting. She is always so interesting and unique in her persona's of
characters, and the character of Margaret Lomax in Places of the Heart is no
different. Also Places of the Heart has three master talented actors, Danny
Glover, John Malkovich and Ed Harris. All three own their parts. Create
memorable characters. They own each shot they are in. That is what makes this
film stand out the most, is the chemistry between all the performers. It seems
real, and is flawless to watch.
An emotional, dramatic storytelling of cinema perfection. A
beautiful piece of American cinema.
Twilight Time has created another flawless product. An
amazing Blu-ray that stands out. High quality in all aspects. The beauty of
Nestor’s cinematography shines on this high class Blu-ray.
Audio/Video: 4/5
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition 1.85:1
AUDIO: English 1.0 DTS-HD MA
Another amazing transfer in video to Blu-ray. Audio equally impressive. Truly another
stunning experience to see a film treated the way it should be treated.
Twilight Time honors film with high class transfers and top quality sound.
Extras: 3/4
Isolated score track. This is a great little special
feature. The music by John Kander is always a treat to hear. He was responsible
for many memorable numbers in countless pieces of musical cinema, such as the
amazing 1972’s Cabaret, 1977’s New York, New York, 2002’s Chicago and many
others. His amazing career has spanned many arrays of cinema and theater. From
stage plays, to musicals, to composing for film. He leaves a lasting impression
on the viewer through his music. He not only did Places of the Heart, but also composed
music for other Benton films such as, Still of the Night, Kramer vs. Kramer,
Billy Bathgate. Kander knows music in cinema, and this special feature is
brilliant for music lovers.
You also get an amazing Audio Commentary with the very
talented, and absolutely stunning Sally Field, and the amazing film historian Nick
Redman. This special feature is Willy Wonka’s golden ticket of perfection.
Hearing Sally Field is dynamic.
Original Theatrical Trailer
Also you get the wonderful Booklet insert written by film
historian Julie Kirgo.
Overall:
An all-star cast. Powerful direction. Stunning beauty in
cinematography. Dynamic music. All this equals a flawless film to be honored,
awarded, talked about, viewed and given this amazing new outlet on Twilight
Time Blu-ray. Brilliant product. Perfection in Blu-ray quality.
Make sure you head over to www.screenarchives.com to buy all the wonderful Twilight Time Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.
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