Where the Heart Is ** (1990, Dabney Coleman, Uma Thurman, Joanna Cassidy, Christopher Plummer, Crispin Glover) – Classic Movie Review 9271

Producer-director John Boorman’s 1990 comedy drama Where the Heart Is is a modern comedic New York version of King Lear, with Dabney Coleman as Stewart McBain, an arrogant builder real-estate mogul who kicks out his spoiled children Daphne McBain (Uma Thurman), Chloe McBain (Suzy Amis) and Jimmy McBain (David Hewlett) to fend for themselves in a tumbledown house in Brooklyn’s lower depths.

But they survive and prosper, with the help of decrepit tramp with the unfortunate name of Shitty the Bum (Christopher Plummer) and designer Lionel (Crispin Glover), create art, and take daddy in when his business collapses.

Where the Heart Is is an odd, arty piece, low on entertainment but high on interesting ideas and beautiful images, captured by cinematographer Peter Suschitzky. The performances are eager and solid, though you feel a bit sorry for Plummer playing the decrepit tramp.

The writers are Telsche Boorman and John Boorman.

Also in the cast are Joanna Cassidy as McBain’s wife Jean, Maury Chaykin, Dylan Walsh, Ken Pogue, Sheila Kelley and Michael Kirby.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 9271

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