Where the Heart Is
“Laughter is harder... Friendship is stronger... Trust is deeper... When it comes from the heart.”
Synopsis
Novalee Nation is a 17-year-old Tennessee transient who has to grow up in a hurry when she's left pregnant and abandoned by her boyfriend on a roadside, and takes refuge in the friendly aisles of Wal-Mart. Eventually, some eccentric but kindly strangers 'adopt' Novalee and her infant daughter, helping them buck the odds and build a new life.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2009-03-15
Top Cast
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Natalie Portman
Novalee Nation
Ashley Judd
Lexie Coop
Stockard Channing
Thelma 'Sister' Husband
Joan Cusack
Ruth Meyers
Sally Field
Mama Lil
James Frain
Forney Hull
Dylan Bruno
Willy Jack Pickens
Keith David
Moses Whitecotten
Ray Prewitt
Tim
Laura House
Nicki
Mary Ashleigh Green
Girl in Bathroom
Kinna McInroe
Wal-Mart Clerk
Linda Wakeman
Hospital Receptionist
David Alvarado
Cellmate
Mark Voges
Religious Man
Todd Lowe
Troy
Margaret Hoard
Mary Elizabeth Hull
Rodger Boyce
Officer Harry
Release History & Theatrical Window
April 27, 2000
Wide Cinema Exhibition
February 6, 2002
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$15M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$33.8M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
2.25x
+$18.8M net gain
Theatrical Status
Profitable
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Matt Williams
- Screenplay & Story
- Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel
- Original Score
- Mason Daring
- Original Title
- Where the Heart Is
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 2h 0m
- Production Budget
- $15M
- Worldwide Gross
- $33.8M
- Production Studios
- Wind Dancer Films, 20th Century Fox
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Matt Williams
Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel, Billie Letts
Mason Daring
Richard Greatrex
Ian Crafford
Matt Williams, Susan Cartsonis, David McFadzean, Patricia Whitcher, Carmen Finestra
Department Leadership Roster
Matt Williams
Director
Mason Daring
Original Music Composer
Lowell Ganz
Screenplay
Ian Crafford
Editor
Richard Greatrex
Director of Photography
Randy Fife
Stunt Coordinator
Thomas J. Smith
Visual Effects Supervisor
Matt Williams
Producer
Babaloo Mandel
Screenplay
Susan Cartsonis
Producer
David McFadzean
Producer
Patricia Whitcher
Producer
Melinda Eshelman
Costume Design
Paul Peters
Production Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
International Certification Matrix
Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.
FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.
Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Where the Heart Is.
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Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Where the Heart Is.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Where the Heart Is
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Where the Heart Is about?
Novalee Nation is a 17-year-old Tennessee transient who has to grow up in a hurry when she's left pregnant and abandoned by her boyfriend on a roadside, and takes refuge in the friendly aisles of Wal-Mart. Eventually, some eccentric but kindly strangers 'adopt' Novalee and her infant daughter, helping them buck the odds and build a new life.
Who directed Where the Heart Is?
Where the Heart Is was directed by Matt Williams.
Who stars in Where the Heart Is?
The principal cast of Where the Heart Is includes Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing, Joan Cusack, Sally Field.
When was Where the Heart Is released and how long is it?
Where the Heart Is was released in 2000 with a total runtime of 2h 0m.
What was the box office and production budget of Where the Heart Is?
Where the Heart Is had a reported production budget of $15M and grossed $33.8M at the worldwide box office (2.25 return on budget, classified as a commercial hit).
Who composed the musical score for Where the Heart Is?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Where the Heart Is was composed by Mason Daring.
Is Where the Heart Is based on a book or true story?
Where the Heart Is is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Billie Letts".
What is the age rating and content advisory for Where the Heart Is?
Where the Heart Is holds official age classifications: AU: M (Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.); DE: 6 (FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.); US: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.).