Where the Heart Is (2000 film)

Novalee Nation—a 17-year-old with a seven-month pregnancy and an aversion to the number 5—is abandoned by her boyfriend Willy Jack Pickens at a Walmart store in Sequoyah, Oklahoma when they stop to buy shoes. While stranded, she befriends Thelma "Sister" Husband, who presents her with a buckeye tree, and local photographer Moses Whitecotton, who advises her to give her baby a strong name. Meanwhile, Willy Jack has continued his trip to California. He is arrested for transporting a minor named Jolene across state lines while possessing stolen goods that Jolene stole.

Novalee becomes acquainted with surly librarian Forney Hull, who cares for his invalid sister Mary Elizabeth. He later sees her entering Walmart. During a thunderstorm, Novalee, who has been living undetected inside the Walmart, goes into labor. Forney helps deliver the child (a baby girl), whom Novalee names Americus. Novalee instantly becomes a media darling and is befriended by local nurse Lexie Coop. Her estranged mother Mama Lil visits after seeing her daughter on television but disappears with the money donated by well-wishers, after which Sister Husband offers to take in both Novalee and Americus.^[1]

Upon his release from prison, Willy Jack travels to Santa Fe. He teams up with cranky music agent Ruth Meyers, who gives him stage name "Billy Shadow."

Novalee trains as a photographer under Moses' mentorship while working at Walmart. A tornado blows through Sequoyah, killing Sister Husband. Novalee later discovers she is the beneficiary of Sister's estate and builds a new home for herself and Americus.

After his encounter with Johnny DeSotto, Willy barely encounters Novalee who arrives at a Las Vegas hotel to accept a photo contest award after submitting an image of Americus and the still-standing buckeye tree amidst the damage from the storm. Later, Willy Jack is informed by Ruth that his old cellmate is suing him for plagiarism. Ruth drops Willy Jack as a client while mentioning her knowledge of him encountering DeSotto.

Upon her return to Sequoyah, Novalee discovers Lexie has been attacked by a new love interest who molested her two eldest children. Lexie's injuries hinder her nursing job, and since she is unable to pay rent, she and her children move in with Novalee and Americus.

Mary Elizabeth later dies. When Forney does not appear at the funeral, Novalee finds him in a hotel and comforts him. They act on the feelings they have long denied and spend the night together. Forney confesses his love, but Novalee confides in Lexie she has never considered herself good enough for Forney and is confused about her feelings for him. Believing his life would be a dead end with her, Novalee lies to Forney, claiming she does not love him, leaving Forney heartbroken. Novalee learns that Lexie is seeing Ernie, an exterminator who lacks the physical attributes that she prefers. Lexie fell in love with Ernie after learning he gave his ex-wife his restored 1967 Chevy Camaro in exchange for custody of his stepdaughter, whom he adopted as his own. The couple marry, and Lexie informs Novalee that she is pregnant.

Severely depressed at his ruined career following the lawsuit, Willy Jack becomes an alcoholic. He wanders off drunk one night and collapses on a railroad track, resulting in a passing train severing both his legs. On Americus's 5th birthday, Novalee reads an article about Willy Jack's accident, visits him in the hospital, and realizes he is a changed man, but warns him never to contact Americus.

After driving Willy Jack home to Tennessee, Novalee visits Forney at Bowdoin College, where she confesses her love for him. They return to Sequoyah and marry in a ceremony at Walmart, surrounded by their close friends.

Original music for the film was produced by Mason Daring. A soundtrack of the original music was released by RCA Records, as well as a music compilation soundtrack featuring songs used in the film by artists such as Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, Martina McBride, and John Hiatt.

The song "That's the Beat of a Heart" was performed by The Warren Brothers and Sara Evans. A music video was made for the song, which is included as a bonus extra on the DVD release and features a number of scenes from the film.