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Specifications:

- DVD-Video

- Single-sided

- Dual layer

- Region 1

- Run time: approx. 120 min.

- Subtitles: English, Spanish

- Scene selection: static

- Package: Keep case

Video Features:

- Anamorphic Widescreen

- Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Audio Features:

- English: Dolby Digital

- English: Dolby Surround

- French: Dolby Surround

Bonus Materials:

- "That's the Beat of a Heart" music
   video by The Warren Brothers
   featuring Sara Evans

- Trailer A  and TV spot

- Promotional Spot

 
Release Dates:

Theatrical Release:          2000

DVD Release:              09/26/00

Review Date:               10/03/00

List price:                     $ 34.98

On-line price:               $ 24.49

Pre-order price was:    $ 20.99

Starring: Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, 
      Stockard Channing, Sally Field, and Joan Cusack

Director and producer: Matt Williams

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Studio: 20th Century Fox (Fox Home Entertainment)
 

Movie: A        Video: A-        Audio: B        Extras: C+

Summary: Young Novalee Nation goes through one misfortune after another to 
   find love and friendship that will make you laugh, cry and cheer for the strong 
   women in this film.  This movie teaches women the meaning of friendship and 
   self-worth.  It will bring tears to your eyes and warmth to your heart.  This film 
   inspires compassion, love and friendship that will elevate the audience to a 
   whole new level of joy.  This is a "must see" movie for all women based on the 
   #1 best-selling novel by Billie Letts!

The Story

The movie opens with a very pregnant teen, Novalee Nation (Natalie Portman, played Queen Armidala in The Phantom Menace), and her boyfriend, Willy Jack (Dylan Bruno), in Tennessee as they begin their road trip to California.  She faces one misfortune after another, and each incident seems to coincide with the number five.  They stopped at an Oklahoma Wal-Mart store for Novalee to use the restroom and buy some new shoes.  As she pays for them, the cashier informs her the change is $5.55.  Her face pales and she rushes out to the parking lot to discover that her boyfriend has left her.  Sitting outside the store, she meets Sister Husband (Stockard Channing) who is kind and gives her a welcome basket and a tree.  The tree later leads her to meet an unconventional librarian named Forney (James Frain).

Homeless, alone and broke, Novalee lives in the Wal-Mart store for the next six weeks.  She meets and befriends Moses Whitecotten (Keith David), the store photographer, who helps her learn the art of photography.  After giving birth to her baby in the Wal-Mart store one night with the assistance from Forney, Novalee meets the joyous nurse Lexie (Ashley Judd) who seems to have even more misfortunes than herself.

Ruth Meyers (Joan Cusack), a music agent, tries to kick start Willy's music career.  However, because of his denial of the feeling he has for his then-unborn child, he becomes an alcoholic and eventually learns the importance of being truthful to your feelings and to other people.  Eventually, he manages to come back into Novalee's life to make amends with her.

The love and friendship as portrayed by the characters are inspiring, as the heartwarming story brings us both heartfelt pain and laughter.  This movie is a "must see" for women of all ages.  

The Extras

We were disappointed with the limited amount of extra material in this DVD.  This movie is so well done that we wished for a behind-the-scenes featurette and a special effects featurette.  The bonus material includes "That's the Beat of a Heart" music video by The Warren Brothers featuring Sara Evans, a TV spot, a theatrical trailer, and a 30-second promotional spot.

Video & Audio

The image quality of this anamorphic widescreen DVD is very good.  The colors are accurate and vibrant, giving this movie a lively tone.  The Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound is balanced, with clear dialogue and wonderful songs that accentuate the mood of the movie. 

Recommendation

This wonderful movie will bring tears to your eyes and warmth to your heart.  Director Matt Williams succeeds in his efforts to bring compassion, courage, love, and heartwarming friendship to the characters of this beautifully made movie.  Natalie Portman's performance is superb and high caliber, as is that of Ashley Judd.

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