In this movie, and believe me, I watch this movie every chance I get even though I own the book and the DVD. Ashley Judd is great in her role of Lexie Coop, but in her character, she is so nosy and insists on reading everything Novalee Nation has to read. For example: 1. When Novalee is sitting on the hospital bed after having Americus. Lexie opens all the envelops and reading the letters and doesn't even ask permission from Novalee to read them. 2. Then, after the tornado, Sister Husband has died and Ray delivers Sister's estate envelope to Novalee. She grabs the envelope from Novalee and again opens the envelope without Novalees's permission 3. And finally, when Novalee reads the newspaper about Willie J. Pickens having his wheelchair stolen she grabs the newspaper away from her. To me, that shows just how nosy and wanting to get into Novalee's business all the time. I can understand having a friend accompany her for emotional support, but Lexie Coop seems to dig deep into her business. In the actual book, Lexie is not nosy at all, but the movie really does point it out.

*Spoilers?* this is one of the 1st movies I watched with my new best friend in college. That was 10 yrs ago, pretty sure I fell asleep while we watched it, too much Chinese takeout lol. I liked the idea of this movie and I thought it was trying to deliver a good message, albeit, slightly misguided attempt. I thought the acting was pretty good given the scattered material. I jus don't understand how Lexie, a nurse, didn't understand how birth control works. I mean 6 kids by 5 different dudes?? I mean even a person who doesn't believe in birth control would find this CA-RAZY. I also feel Willie's whole storyline was completely disjointed from the rest of the movie; he was garbage so there was no reason to continue following his storyline (minus Cusack who was really good). If the content had been tweaked this could've been way better; instead we got a step up (barely) version of a Lifetime TV movie

"Home is the nicest word there is." - Laura Wilder The directorial debut of Matt Williams, and based on a novel by Billie Letts, "Where the Heart Is" stars Natalie Portman as Novalee, a pregnant 17 year old who is abandoned by her boyfriend at an Oklahoman Walmart.Part drama, part fairy tale, part farcical comedy, "Heart" watches as Novalee blossoms from a scatterbrained teenager to a successful photographer. Along the way she befriends Lexie Coop (Ashley Judd), a young nurse. Both women learn self-worth, to be wary of life's many dangers, and that even those with terrible backgrounds can create their own safe, surrogate families. In "Where the Heart is", "home" is a rehabilitation project that friends and loved ones embark upon together.Unashamedly a Hollywood crowd-pleaser, "Where the Heart Is" was panned by critics. Still, despite a hokey "tornado sequence", a corny "sex scene" and an overly glamorous (but nevertheless endearing) Natalie Portman, it's a fast and cute film. Always going unexpected places, Williams' script boats fine dialogue, and co-stars the lovable Joan Cusack. 8/10 - See "Frozen River".

This is an inspirational movie about a young woman, Novalee Nation (Natalie Portman), who had 17 became pregnant but ended up being abandoned by boyfriend Willie Jack Bruno (Dylan Bruno) at an Oklahoma Wal-Mart. Void of a job, necessities and money, she secretly lives in the Wal-Mart until she gives birth to a girl. Novalee then decides to raise her daughter and rebuild her life in Sequoyah, Oklahoma, when she meets a group of kind townspeople, including Lexie Coop (Ashley Judd), who helps her move on with her life.A solid drama with some descent acting, this movie tells a great overcoming-the-odds story, where a person could start out with misfortune but end up rising to the occasion through determination, love and acts of kindness from other people. It gives an important message that everybody faces obstacles and adversaries, and it is up to him/her how he/she wants to deal with one's own problems. And, no matter how independent you can or want to be, somebody is always out there to lend a helping hand.Portman and Judd did great in their roles, delivering a combination dose of drama and comedy. At two hours long, there are quite a few fillers in this film, which dragged the plot somewhat. But overall, it's a feel-good movie that is perfect for drama-lovers.Grade B