Lights, Camera, Texas! Ever wondered where movies meet small-town charm? Buckle up. We’re diving deep into Waxahachie, Texas. It’s not just a name to mispronounce (it’s Wah-HAH-chee). This town is a movie haven. Over thirty films and three Academy Awards say it all. Two films, "Places in the Heart" and "Where the Heart Is," hold special connections to this Lone Star beauty. Let’s explore!
Waxahachie: More Than Just a Movie Town
Waxahachie isn't just a random backdrop. It has history thicker than Texas barbecue sauce. Founded long ago, its stunning architecture and vibe scream "small-town USA." Filmmakers have noticed its charm. Waxahachie calls itself the "Movie Capital of Texas." It backs this up well. Upcoming TV shows are eager to film there, like "Bass Reeves," a spin-off from "Yellowstone." They seem to have rolled out a red carpet for filmmakers.
Places in the Heart: A Waxahachie Connection
Let’s focus on "Places in the Heart." This 1984 film is a love letter to Waxahachie. Director Robert Benton was born here in 1932. The story is personal, drawing from his childhood in this town during the Great Depression. It’s home-cooked cinema for sure!
Plot and Story: Grit Amid Challenges
Set in 1935, rural Texas struggles with the Dust Bowl. Edna Spaulding (Sally Field) faces life’s challenges head-on. Her husband, the sheriff, dies in a freak accident at the start. This widowed mother must fend for herself, two kids, and a struggling farm. Her bank account is empty. A tornado and the Ku Klux Klan add to her struggles. It seems life dealt her a tough hand.
Edna isn’t a wilting flower. She shows grit and finds support. Her sister, Margaret (Lindsay Crouse), assists her. Mr. Will (John Malkovich), a blind boarder, adds wisdom to the story. Moze (Danny Glover), a would-be thief with good intentions, teaches Edna how to farm cotton. When life gives lemons, plant cotton!
True Story Connection: Family Matters
Here’s a twist: "Places in the Heart" reflects Benton’s family history. In a 1984 article, he shared about his great-grandmother. She was also widowed when her sheriff husband was killed before Christmas in 1882. The film isn’t a biography but has heartfelt roots based on real Texan resilience.
Title Meaning: Sacred Heart Spaces
Filming Locations: Waxahachie Shines
Visually, "Places in the Heart" stuns with real locations. Waxahachie served as the star location. Its beautiful architecture set a perfect backdrop for 1935 Texas. The cotton fields come alive in every scene. The Ellis County Courthouse, Five Points for cotton gin scenes, and The Rogers Hotel Apartments as the bank shine on-screen. Ellis County adds authenticity too.
Characters: Buddy Kelsey Joins
Edna, Margaret, Mr. Will, and Moze are the main players, but other characters populate Waxahachie. Buddy Kelsey (Terry O'Quinn) adds flavor to small-town life depicted in the film. Each character feels right at home in this determined Texas setting.
Soundtrack: Authentic Texan Tunes
The music of "Places in the Heart" captures authenticity. The original soundtrack features tunes from Doc & Merle Watson and The Texas Playboys. It’s folksy and fits the spirit of the time. Howard Shore adapted the score here. He brought his signature touch creating an intimate score resonating with the film's heartland story.
Accolades: Oscar Recognition
The Academy recognized "Places in the Heart" with seven nominations at the 57th Academy Awards. Best Picture was among these nominations. Sally Field won Best Actress for her role as Edna. Robert Benton secured Best Original Screenplay for this heartfelt story. These Oscars validated the film's depth and artistic merit.
Themes: Significant Ideas
"Places in the Heart" isn’t just about farming struggles. It tackles heavy themes: prejudice, violence, resilience, and generosity. These concepts weave into Edna's story and those around her. The film portrays harsh realities while showing human spirit resilience and kindness even in tough times.
Ending and Spiritual Meaning: A Poignant Conclusion
The ending of "Places in the Heart" is poignant and dreamlike. It culminates in a church scene evoking Holy Communion. Edna passes a communion tray to her deceased husband, whispering “Peace of God.” He gives it to Wylie, who sadly took his life. This image reflects themes of forgiveness transcending earthly boundaries.
Some interpret this ending as referencing the Communion of Saints, connecting both the living and dead bonded through God. It offers peace and healing despite worldly violence and hatred struggles—suggesting broader communion that includes all connected to God.
Wylie, despite his act, shows a deeper understanding of humanity. The scene conveys an image of the Christian gospel, acting as a lure for feeling: hope that, despite divisions, we might learn to live in peace, driven not by greed, fear, or distrust, but by a healing spirit. Deep stuff, huh?
Availability: Finding "Places" Today
Want to feel the heart of Waxahachie? "Places in the Heart" is easy to find. Buy or rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Microsoft Store, and Fandango At Home. It streams on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Grab popcorn, dim the lights for a trip to 1935 Texas.
Worth Watching: A Film with Conviction
Is "Places in the Heart" worth your time? Absolutely. One old review calls it "not memorable." Yet, it praises its "courage of orthodox convictions." Sally Field's performance is worth the admission. Many say it’s her best. Ebert praised the film’s honest emotions and Field's acting. It avoids sentimentality for genuine feeling. Rotten Tomatoes shows a strong positive reception, marking it as a well-regarded film. It stays with you not due to flashy effects but honest portrayals of human struggle. Plus, that score and Field? Perfection.
Setting: Back to Waxahachie, 1935
The setting is crucial. "Places in the Heart" is set in Waxahachie, Texas, 1935. This spot is Benton’s hometown. The film reflects his childhood there. It’s a personal vision of that small Texas town. After some distant projects, "Places in the Heart" was familiar territory. It returns to roots literally and figuratively. The opening scene with a young Black boy's shooting grounds the story in the social realities of 1935 Waxahachie.
Where the Heart Is: Texas Locations, Different Story
Now, let’s discuss "Where the Heart Is." This film has Texas ties but tells a unique story. While "Places in the Heart" is rooted in Waxahachie's history, "Where the Heart Is" uses different Texas locales for a more contemporary tale. It serves as a spiritual cousin, linked geographically yet tonally distinct.
Plot: Walmart, Pregnancy, and Abandonment in Oklahoma
"Where the Heart Is" introduces Novalee Nation (Natalie Portman), a 17-year-old with an aversion to the number 5 and a baby bump. Her life drastically changes when her boyfriend, Willy Jack Pickens, abandons her at a Walmart in Sequoyah, Oklahoma. This abandonment sets off events forcing Novalee to find her way. Sometimes, unexpected places become home.
Filming Locations: Texas Takes the Stage Again
Though set in Oklahoma and Tennessee, "Where the Heart Is" filmed mainly in Texas. Filming locations include Austin, Lockhart, Taylor, and Waco. The Texas scenery remains present even when the narrative unfolds elsewhere. Texas acts as the cinematic heart, despite the geographical story shift.
Characters: Lexi and Brownie's Story
A subplot follows Lexi and her son Brownie. He faces trauma from Roger Briscoe, a banker Lexi dates. When confronted, Roger beats Lexi, injuring her and risking her job as a nurse. This serious thread adds depth, showcasing the challenges of small-town life. It’s not all sunshine and Walmart weddings.
Ending: Full Circle at Walmart (Again!)
The ending brings "Where the Heart Is" full circle. Novalee realizes she lied to Forney and drives Willy Jack home to Tennessee. She continues to Maine to find Forney. Confessing her lie and love leads them back to Oklahoma for a wedding. Their ceremony? Back at Walmart! Sometimes, love finds you in the most unexpected aisles.
True Story (Sort Of): Penguin Inspiration?
Here's a curious fact: "Where the Heart Is" is "inspired by a true story," relating to a penguin named Dindim and his rescuer Joao. Penguins in Texas Walmart movies? Not quite. However, the film's theme of unlikely connections links back to this animal friendship. A bit of a stretch, but Hollywood works in mysterious ways.
Walmart Location: Lockhart's Cinematic Store
The Walmart featured in "Where the Heart Is" is in Lockhart, Texas, not Oklahoma. It has been renovated into a county judicial facility now. If you want to visit this cinematic Walmart, you'll find a courthouse. Luckily for fans, a newer Walmart Supercenter is nearby for your shopping needs. Just don't get abandoned there.
Age of Natalie Portman's Character: Teenage Motherhood
Natalie Portman plays Novalee as a 17-year-old pregnant teen. This detail highlights Novalee's vulnerability. The film deals with teenage motherhood, abandonment, and forced adulthood. It’s a coming-of-age story mixed with diapers and Walmart aisles.
Waxahachie: Texas Movie Magic Continues
Here it is: Waxahachie, Texas – a movie hotspot. From the historical "Places in the Heart" to "Where the Heart Is," this Texan town plays a key role in storytelling. With ongoing projects, Waxahachie's movie magic thrives, making it the "Movie Capital of Texas."
Some Texas trivia: while Waxahachie calls itself the movie capital, Brady claims the title "Heart of Texas" due to its geographic center. Texas is big in size and heart. Places like Waxahachie show that the most compelling stories often arise right at the heart of it all.
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