Places in the Heart

In 1935, the small Texas town of Waxahachie finds its community grappling with the harsh realities of the Great Depression. Desperation and hopelessness loom large, impacting the lives of families and individuals throughout the town.

On a fateful Sunday afternoon, Sheriff Royce Spalding responds to reports of gunfire at the rail yards. Tragically, he meets his end at the hands of a drunken teenager named Wylie, a shocking event that sends shockwaves through the community.

In the wake of the sheriff’s death, the town erupts in vigilante justice as Wylie's lifeless body is dragged behind a truck, ultimately left outside the Spalding family home. This gruesome act leaves Royce's widow Edna and their children, Frank and Possum, grappling with profound grief.

A drifter named Moses 'Moze' Hadner shows up at the Spalding household, offering his services as a handyman. Edna, already distressed by the loss of her husband and the threat of foreclosure, sees Moze's presence as a potential lifeline amid her struggles.

As Edna navigates the grief of losing her husband and financial instability, her sister Margaret steps in to help organize the funeral. Together, they face the new reality of life without Royce, providing comfort and support to the grieving children.

Moze begins to establish a complex relationship with the family, often disappearing and returning without warning. During one of his absences, he takes some silver spoons but reappears the next morning seeking breakfast, leaving Edna conflicted about his character.

Albert Denby, a local banker, pressures Edna to sell her land due to falling cotton prices. His contempt for her partnership with Moze is evident, and he attempts to manipulate her into making hasty decisions about her family's future.

Under Denby's insistence, Edna takes in his blind war veteran brother-in-law, Will, as a paying lodger. The adjustment is difficult for the family, particularly for Frank, who finds himself in trouble at school, highlighting the challenges of their new living arrangement.

A devastating tornado sweeps through Waxahachie, wreaking havoc in the town but mercifully sparing the Spalding residence. In a moment of bravery, Will risks his life to save Possum, establishing a deep bond with Edna's children during the crisis.

Edna discovers that selling her entire cotton yield will not suffice to cover her next loan payment, adding to her worries. In a moment of determination, she learns about a cash prize for the first bale of cotton delivered to market, reigniting her hopes.

Through hard work and persistence, Edna and Moze succeed in delivering the first bale of cotton to market, earning the $100 cash prize. This milestone not only alleviates some of Edna's financial pressures but also brings newfound hope for a better future.

Tragedy strikes when Moze is brutally attacked by members of the Ku Klux Klan, an event that shakes the community and threatens both his safety and Edna's newfound stability. Will intervenes, using Royce's gun to fend off the attackers, exposing their identities.

Feeling that his presence has become too dangerous due to the ongoing hostility, Moze makes the painful decision to leave the Spalding family. Before parting, he gifts Edna a cherished handkerchief, symbolizing their bond and connection to the land.

The film concludes with a poignant church service where townspeople gather to share a moment of communion amidst their grief. Edna offers a blessing for her late husband, and in a moment of reconciliation, even Wylie is symbolically blessed, indicating a shared peace among the living and the dead.