Where The Heart Is

Movie #14

Date Released: 2.23.90

Date Watched: 6.5.2020

Reaction:

This movie has turned out to be quite a surprise. The characters are more nuanced than you’d expect. For example, Dabney Coleman as the ‘bad guy’ is actually not so clearly bad, even though it is his snarky actions that set the meat of the movie’s plot into motion. His character is flawed as a father and a business owner, which is not unexpected in either of those roles of responsibility. He has a long way to go in terms of being enlightened, but so do his kids, who are the supposed ‘protagonists’ of the movie (one of who calls Crispin Glover’s homosexual character a ‘f*g’ which was tremendously jarring, as thankfully you would not commonly see that in a movie today that wasn’t explicitly about hate crimes. At least, in this movie, it is not used as a joke or an acceptable term by those around him.)

Where The Heart Is also accurately understands the role that computers will play in the future of the world. That was not a prescient idea back then but it was bold to be so confident and matter-of-fact about the idea. 

I would say this movie deserves another look. It says a lot about how much things have changed (and stayed the same) in New York, with families, with money, with our relationship to the arts and fashion. I probably would need a total rewatch to grasp how much there is to think about in this unexpected comedy. Granted, I don’t believe that it’s insight was entirely intended, but as a snapshot of the world in 1990 (the Twin Towers broadly standing in the background of numerous shots, as Coleman’s character goes from riches to rags), it can tell us a lot about who we are now and what we could have seen coming thirty years ago.  

John Boorman (director) did a particularly good job piecing this movie together in a three dimensional way, with lead characters who could use more depth and elevating (like Glover’s gay fashion designer--and he’s such a fun actor but underused in this movie) but overall are relatable and likable. The art projects created by the oldest daughter are actually pretty cool to look at, which means that this movie did not spare on detail when it could have and where many comedies might. Coleman even has more impressive and subtle moments than I recall in a number of his other movies. So, overall, there is a lot to get behind here.

It wouldn’t be right to end this summary without mentioning the housing insecure former magician, portrayed by Christopher Plummer, who brings humor and heart into a number of the scenes. It’s surprising seeing Plummer in the role as he is well overqualified. But it helps the movie a lot, too. Although it is tough to look at this movie given all we know and think about related to privilege these days, you still feel for the family as they lose all their wealth and need to figure out how to get back on top again.

Weird ending. Sort of Midsummer Night Dream-ish. Movie suffered from really not sticking the landing.

Publishing Notes:

• Again, I do not stick with these very long reviews as 1990 goes on