Reviews

'What a top chick flick!' remarked Muffin as she emerged from Cinema City after seeing Where The Heart Is. She wasn't being derogatory - Muffin loved this movie, and was being sincere when she described it thus. Merry doesn't mind a bit of a weep at times, either - he's the sort that cries when watching Forrest Gump's mother dying for the tenth time - but he wasn't as enthusiastic about WTHI - because it was a zero-Kleenex movie. Heartwarming, illuminating, even inspiring at times - but no tissues were required. It's more funny than moving. The film is based on a novel by Billie Letts, but even if you haven't read the book you might suspect that it a version of some other art form: it feels a bit bitty, the episodes somewhat.episodic? Natalie Portman is Novalee Nation, a 17-year old with child. On the way to California with her revolting boyfriend, she is left in the car-park of a Wal-Mart store in a small town in Oklahoma. She has nothing except a foetus. The film tracks her life over the next five years: the birth of her daughter Americus in the Wal-Mart; her budding photography career; her friendship with hospital nurse and serial mother Lexie Coop (Ashley Judd); her relationship with eccentric librarian (and the man who helped deliver the baby) Forney (James Frain). Novalee comes up against a few obstacles, but her will and determination are strong - perhaps too much so. I think the reason why WTHI isn't a weepie is that Novalee is too strong a character - the audience doesn't really feel for her, or doubt she will eventually triumph. Her biggest problem is her superstition over the number 5: bad things happen to her when it crops up. One the way to California she buys some shoes from Wal-Mart and the change from $10 is $5.55 - she rushes out to the carpark and sure enough the boyfriend is long gone. But despite this lukewarm aspect (and it's not due to bad acting from Portman - she is divine) there are many highlights to be seen here. One is the knockout performance by Ashley Judd - and a great supporting role from Wal-Mart. Novalee gives birth in aisle 6 (after scrambling out of aisle 5) in the Wal-Mart; she gets a job there; she gets married there. The Wal-Mart people would be well-satisfied with this film. Muffin (who's been to the USA): But that's what Wal-Mart is really like! They're friendly, helpful - great stores! There's also a great tornado special effect - miles better than the ordinary Helen Hunt film Twister of a while back.

Merry Sofa's Measurement: 6.5 cushions out of 10.

At play in the fears of the Cross Feeling some Angst with Merry Sofa

The PMFM publicity 'droid thanked us for coming. 'The traffic's terrible out there, so is the weather, but we're glad you were able to make it,' she addressed a half-full Cinema 16 at Greater Union Innaloo. Merry Sofa and Basil's Mum had indeed braved erratic driving and the elements to preview a new Australian movie, Angst. Angst is German for fear, and that is one of the themes of the flick. Merry wondered if the fear was that he was like the characters in the movie when he was a teen and young twenty-something: witty, sharply-dressed, articulate. All the evidence (school photos, family anecdotes) indicate he wasn't - fortunately movies like Angst help keep the illusion alive. Anyway: the action is set in and around King's Cross, Sydney. Dean works in a video store, and hopes to become a horror-script writer. His flatmate and former girlfriend Jade refuses to get a job 'cos she's a bright girl, their mate Ian hails from Sydney's western suburbs and yearns to be a stand-up comedian. This unproductive triumvirate are joined by Mole, who steals their VCR, and May, a Goth. Dean lavishes sarcasm on May for conforming to a sub-culture - she ripostes by saying the video-store worker who aspires to write films is a bigger cliché than she'll ever be. Right on! This scene was early in the movie and the fact that May didn't make any reference to Quentin Tarantino was a good sign: generally Angst is an intelligent and thoughtful script. The film is aimed at the young ones: there were several walk-outs during the preview. Incessant bong-smoking, talk about sex and bad teeth aren't everyone's cup of tea. But Angst is no Bad Lieutenant - there's nothing especially gross shown on screen. Not a lot of nudity or sex - except for a fabulous scene near the, er, climax, which sees a naked May rising and falling in a bedroom of colourful stuffed toys. Lovely! Perhaps the most distressing scene is a cat, which gets sold to a man in a cardigan for $1,000. Dean, Jade and Ian wrestle with their fears throughout the movie, and ultimately win through - as you would expect for a film aimed at a 'young adult' audience. Basil's Mum: I thought it was alright for an Australian film. My favourite line was Dean talking about the truffle pig. (We are unable to reproduce the quote in full, but rest assured it involves cunnilingus). Basil's Mum: You can't knock Australian films. Merry: Not even if it's To The Lighthouse Dancing? The editing is super - like a video game - zippy and fast. The opening titles are a graphic designer's dream.it's like looking at a lava lamp.

Merry Sofa's Measurement: 6 cushions out of 10.