Reviews (17)

An American Classic
For my money, this "save the farm" feature was the best film of 1984, edging out The Killing Fields, The Terminator and Stop Making Sense. Nominated for seven Academy Awards (including Best Picture), this box office sleeper earned two statues: Best Actress for Sally Field and Best Original Screenplay for Robert Benton (who also directed). Still, how Nestor Almendros' gorgeous cinematography failed to score even a nomination remains a mystery.

Alot of Heart
Places In The Heart is director Robert Benton's look back at life in Depression era Texas. Sally Field stars as Edna Spalding, a recent widow who struggles and fights to keep her family together by raising cotton. She enlists the help of a drifter named Mose who knows the in and outs of growing cotton. One hurdle is that Mose is black and the locals make it rough on them. Danny Glover is superb as Mose as is John Malkovich as a blind boarder, Mr. Will. Lindsay Crouse and Ed Harris are Edna's sister and brother-in-law and Ms. Crouse is excellent as she struggles with the philandering ways of her husband. But through it all, Ms. Field carries the film. She perfectly conveys the determination of a woman facing tremendous odds. she shows a strong front, but a touching vulnerability when facing set back after set back. Ms. Field deservedly won her second Best Actress award and yes we really do like her.

"Places in the Heart" Wins Hearts All Over Again
Now that "Places in the Heart" has been re-released on VHS and DVD, many more people will be able to experience this 1984 classic. Starring some of the acting greats like Sally Field, John Malkovich, Ed Harris, and Danny Glover, "Places in the Heart" is a realistic look at the lives and views of people in the 1930s. This movie tackles issues such as racism, adultery, and people learning to "live again" after they've had to overcome many obstacles.

Edna Spalding (Sally Field) plays a woman recently widowed who suddenly has to figure out how to support herself and two children during Depression times. Moze (Danny Glover), a black man looking for room and board, offers the "crazy" suggestion of growing cotton and, desperate to try anything to keep her family together, Spalding steps up to the challenge. More important than Spalding's need for money, she must prove to herself and those around her that she can take care of her family. She had always just been a wife and a mother and nothing more had previously been asked of her. A blind boarder, Mr. Will (John Malkovich), "sees" the harshness and bigotries of life and is a quiet yet interesting observer of what's going on around him. Also added to this mix are Spalding's brother-in-law Wayne (Ed Harris) and sister Margaret (Lindsay Crouse) who go through marital struggles when Wayne becomes involved with another woman (Amy Madigan). They fight the basic human problem of being good people but making bad decisions.

Field's performance as Spalding is a great one--evidenced by her Best Actress Oscar for the role. Another Oscar was rewarded for Best Overall Screenplay and nominations were made for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Malkovich), Best Supporting Actress (Crouse), and Best Costume Design. Though "Places in the Heart" is often overlooked, it's a wonderful film overflowing with love, bravery, friendship, and strength of character.

OF LOSS, LOVE AND HOPE
Few movies hit you so unabashedly in the heart with a melodramatic wallop as Benton’s Places in the Heart, yet manage to avoid feeling cheap. A deeply touching slice of the depression era, worthy of all the Oscars it bagged (screenplay, best actress for Fields) plus several nominations.

Sally Field weilds absolute acting prowess as Edna Spaulding, a wife and mother of two kids who becomes widowed after a drunk accidentally shoots her husband. So she decides to make some money by planting cotton. She takes in a very friendly black man (wonderfully played by Danny Glover) who helps her get and plant the cotton, and a smart blind man (played by John Malkovich in an Oscar-nominated performance) who's a paying boarder.

These three adults and the two children form a little family together, and this is the part of "Places in the Heart" that works best.

Other characters add to the story. Lindsey Crouse was also Oscar-nominated for her portrayl of Field's sister who comes to help out after tragedy strikes early on. Ed Harris plays Crouse's husband who's having an affair with another woman, which makes for a somewhat inessential subplot. But that's a minor grouse.

Apart from the top-notch performances, the film's stunning finale is an unforgettable cinematic statement about hope. Had everyone in the room jerking a tear.

On DVD the film doesn't really look like an old movie (1984) if that bothers you. A highly recommended gem for any collection!

I WISH THERE WERE A SEQUEL!
This movie is great! I used it for a college paper on prejudice and the hardships of life. You can really feel what these people are going through. I wish there were a sequel about 10 years later, where Moses comes back with a family and buys a piece of Edna's land. I wish he could really overcome being black during a miserable time in history. I wish Will and Edna would fall in love and help complete the missing part of each other's lives. Possum would be a teen, with high hopes and great dreams. Frank would be a strong, honest man that is a representation of the type of person it takes to change an entire country's idea about prejudice. They would become happy once again. I want their lives to finally be worth something. I WANT MORE OF THEIR STORY! ... Read more

Book Description

Discover the magic and mystery of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic The Secret Garden with our new book and locket package. Lonely Mary Lennox finds adventure and friendship among the secrets of the old deserted garden on the Yorkshire moors. Now young readers will cherish their very own gold-tone necklace and pendant, shaped like the key that opens the enchanted garden for Mary. A paperback edition of this classic tale, beloved by readers for over 80 years, welcomes readers, new and old alike.

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Reviews (51)

A mixed bag
Don't get me wrong - this version of The Secret Garden isn't the Worst Movie of All Time - but it has serious problems having mostly to do with the ending.

I usually hate spoiler reviews that give away the ending of a movie, but I am going to do that here, for reasons I hope you'll understand, as the epilogue affects the whole spirit of the film.
(SPOILERS AHEAD)

Frances Hodgson Burnett, the author of the original classic novel, cut the story off before the three main characters grew up - a wise decision that let the readers make up their own minds about what happened next. Unlike other versions, this movie includes an epilogue that reveals what happened to them - always a dangerous decision when one doesn't have the last words from the author herself, but here disasterous.

Years later, we meet up with an engaged-to-be-married Mary and Colin. To deal with the somewhat reasonable notion that this might be a bit unlikely with Dickon around, our Yorkshire Angel has been killed off in World War Two. Anyone who knows the story and what Dickon represents understands how outrageous this is. Apparently Hodgson Burnett knew what she was doing the first time around.

Stick with either the 1993 or 1940 versions, preferably in that order, unless you're a Secret Garden fanatic who wants all three versions.

A True Classic
Little spoiled Mary Lennox is orphaned in India and sent to live with a distant relative. Alone and scared she has to learn the English way of life. Martha her maid teaches her how to dress herself, and gives her a jump rope opening up a whole new world to Mary. The gardens of the 100 room mansion. Here she meets the head gardener and learns of the Secret Garden. Mary also finds that there are many other secrets in this house, her hunchback caretaker that seems so sad, and the crying at night.

The setting of Yorkshire England and the rich cast of characters including the maid Martha, Dicken, Martha's brother, and many others make this a wonderful book for all ages. I have read the secret garden hundreds of times and each time I get something new out of the book. It's a true classic.

Disappointing Turn/Otherwise Good Production
Although Hallmark makes outstanding movies, and I know this movie won an award, I cannot embrace this version because of the liberties the producers took with the storyline. One of the most integral parts of the story, the fact that Colin & Mary are cousins, was changed so that they could have Colin propose to Mary at the end of the movie. I also didn't like what they did with the Dickon character in this "future" scene. I think most of us always imagined that Dickon & Mary would get together eventually based on the words that Burnett wrote. Dickon & Mary were kindred spirits, but Colin & Mary were like siblings in the real story. I gave this movie away at a yard sale because I was so unhappy with the way the story was handled.

The Secret Garden has always been one of my favourite stories and I have an extensive collection of movie presentations. My two favourite ones are the classic MGM version with Margaret O'Brien & Dean Stockwell, and the 1984 BBC production (the most true to the novel) with Sarah Hollis Andrews & David Patterson. The 1993 Warner Brothers production also takes liberties, but is preferable to this Hallmark version in my opinion. It's too bad the producers did decide to change this detail in the Hallmark version, making the purists like myself unhappy, because otherwise they did a good job of it.

A magnificent array of hope!
An excellent story made especially for those of you who dream. This version may differ a bit from the book, but it is still a must see. You will not be dissapointed!

A Wonderful Childhood Memory
This movie (granted, not on dvd) was not only the first Secret Garden movie I ever saw, but my first exposure to The Secret Garden, period. It wasn't until later that I read the book.

I don't know how fairly I can review this, because just thinking about I find myself thinking about a million other parts of my childhood. This movie was so important to me that it means childhood, and it takes a good movie to do that.

I love the cast. The actress who plays Mary is a bit stiff, but it fits well with her character. Derek Jacobi is wonderful, tragic, and when necessary, frightening as Archibald. The soundtrack is haunting, and I occasionally find myself humming it, even though I haven't seen the movie in at least a year and a half.

The movie follows the tone of the book, even with the occasional added scene. I don't know what devotees of the book would think of the frame with Mary as an adult, but since I knew the movie long before I ever read the book I love it. It doesn't take away from what the book has, and I think it contributes something to it. Plus it has Colin Firth in it, and who can argue with that? ... Read more

Reviews (33)

"I can sing while I read! I am singing and reading both!"
What can I say about this film that hasn't already been said? I've seen it countless times, and I still love it. A few years ago I watched it on the suggestion of my mother, since it is one of her favorite movies and I loved it too. Albert Brooks' performance as Aaron is comedic genius. He had so many funny lines, and was an all-around likeable guy, despite the fact that he did come off as whiny on occasion. Holly Hunter played the part of Jane very well, and she seemed like a very real person struggling with her hectic work life and lack of a social life, especially in her scheduled crying jags. William Hurt totally had it in him to play the "all flash, no substance" news reporter who may be slightly lost in the big, bad world of news anchoring, but somehow managed to pull it off. Brooks, Hunter and Hurt all deserved to be given the awards that were unfairly received by other actors. This is, and will always be, one of my favorite movies.

Breaking Story!
TOM GRUNNICK, AARON ALTMAN and JANE CRAIG: BROADCAST NEWS:
A Handsome news anchor with an uncanny ability to sell the news, even if he is a little dim... A whiney story reporter with great integrity but a face that doesn't do well with focus groups... and the workaholic producer that can make anything happen and remain the love interest for the first two...

BROADCAST NEWS is James L. Brooks brilliant comedy about this network news love triangle in the beltway of Washington DC. With sharp, biting dialogue and creative performances, he created one of the best films of the last 50 years. All the while tracing the love triangle, we also see the behind the scenes operations of the news in action. A scene where Tom (William Hurt) anchors an emergency report with Jane (Holly Hunter) coaching him through his earpiece is an accomplished piece of cinema as has been seen for 50 years. And a scene where Aaron (Albert Brooks) anchors the weekend news while battling a serious case of flop sweat is a hysterically funny scene worth remembering. And that is the beauty of the writer/directors work. The scenes are never wasted as they serve both the love triangle as well as the network operations. Jack Nicholson and Joan Cusack give great support in small character roles.

A must for movie lovers everywhere. This was an early DVD release so it does not have much to offer other than a nice audio/video transfer. I would love to have a running commentary for this as Brooks did with AS GOOD AS IT GETS, but until that time, this is a great film worth a lot of study.

Very Funny!!
Being in the news business myself, I found this movie to be very funny. Some of the characters were actually characatures of some of the ego-driven, compulsive people I have met in the business. Brooks, Hunter and Hurt are the big three here and they work wonderfully together!!

Broadcast News - In Review
Amidst the hustle and bustle of a demanding newsroom a love triangle builds right in your living from this witty, romantic, comedy Broadcast News. Holly Hunter who plays a network news producer falls between pretty-boy anchorman William Hurt and Albert Brooks, who provides contrast as the gifted reporter. Director James L. Brooks brings this romantic comedy to life through the busy Washington D.C. pressroom.

With a glimpse into each of the characters' childhood the film brings us thirty years later to a Washington News Network that brings together are three amusing characters. Jane (Holly Hunter), swiftly finds herself attracted to the new anchorman, Tom (William Hurt) hired for his good looks and camera poise. Long time friend of Jane, Aaron (Albert Brooks) reveals his true feelings in the midst of Jane and Tom's relationship to create a tangled triangle. Cutbacks and an unrevealed lie send the trio in their separate ways to be reunited seven years later.

Holly Hunter is Jane Craig, a lovable, high-strung, control-freak news producer, who falls for a dim-witted, handsome and on the rise anchor William Hurt, who plays Tom Grenick. No role was more fitting then Aaron Altman performed by Albert Brooks, Brooks's made a hard working and witty veteran reporter complete with his brilliant performance. Pulling the film together with supporting roles was Lois Chiles, Joan Cusack, and Robert Provosky, not to mention a trivial role as senior anchorman played by Jack Nicholson.

The setting is the high-stakes world of network television news, and although the technology has changed since the mid 1980's when this was made, the politics and the cutthroat environment are still exactly the same. The soundtrack is mainly dialogue driven lacking any memorable hits. Mainly featuring scene based tunes to keep the film flowing allowing the focus to stay with the actors' performances.

Jane's dilemma is more in depth then looks versus love; it is an inner struggle tearing her apart. In one hand she has the handsome anchorman that is everything she cannot stand in media and the other is her long-time honest friend who still believes in integrity. Torn between the choice of integrity and selling the news she takes the new position and starts over.

The performance from the three actors was outstanding and the accurate portrayal of the network production puts you on set. This spunky, romantic, comedy is well deserving of its Seven Oscar nominations. This delightful James L. Brooks film will leave you wondering if it is not too late to consider a new occupation.

A well-acted romantic comedy
Holly Hunter is adorable as Jane Craig, a super-hyper, control-freak news producer, and she falls for empty-headed, handsome and up-and-coming anchor William Hurt, who plays Tom Grenick. This is much to the chagrin of Albert Brooks's character Aaron Altman, a hard-working reporter who is best friends with Jane; he also is in love with her himself.

The backdrop is the high-stakes world of network television news, and although the technology has changed since the mid 1980's when this was made, the politics and the cut-throat environment are still exactly the same. There are some very funny moments, including Brooks's hilarious attempt to anchor the weekend newscast. Ultimately, network cutbacks send Aaron, Jane and Tom their separate ways. There's a brief epilogue which takes place seven years later, when Tom is now the prime-time network news anchor. It's bittersweet, as both he and Aaron are married and Jane is involved with a new beau; the three of them are together for a moment, and there are still feelings from both men toward Jane (and vice-versa, to a degree).

The three stars give very strong performances in this film, and the network news background is on the money. Robert Prosky (who starred in "Hill Street Blues" at the time) does a good job with his bit part as the executive producer, although Jack Nicholson was miscast as network anchor--it's a bit part, so I'm not sure why a major star like Nicholson was chosen, and although he's a remarkable actor, it just doesn't work. On the whole, a very good film...between four and five stars. The DVD looks good and sounds fine, although there are no extras. ... Read more