Watch Heart of Dixie

Heart of Dixie is a heartwarming drama film set in the 1960s, directed by Martin Davidson and released in 1989. The movie stars Ally Sheedy as Maggie, a young woman from New York City who moves to a small southern town to attend college. Virginia Madsen plays her cousin, Delia, who is already a student at the college, and Phoebe Cates plays Aiken, the richest girl in town.

Maggie quickly realizes that life in the South is very different from what she is used to. The movie explores the social dynamics of the time, including racism, classism, and the conflict between tradition and progress. Maggie befriends some of the locals, which include a group of black women who work as cooks and maids in the houses of white families.

One of the key relationships in the film is the one between Maggie and Aiken, who is initially portrayed as a shallow and selfish character. However, as the story progresses, we see that she is not as simple as she seems. Aiken's father is the wealthiest man in town, and she is expected to marry well and conform to tradition. As she gets to know Maggie, she begins to question those expectations and think about what she really wants in life.

The movie also explores the relationship between white southerners and black southerners during the time. Maggie is horrified by the racism she witnesses in the town, such as the segregation in public spaces like the college cafeteria. She becomes close friends with two black women who work as cooks in the dorms and hears their experiences of discrimination and prejudice. Maggie becomes involved in a civil rights campaign, which puts her at odds with the more conservative members of the community.

As the story unfolds, we see the characters grow and change. Maggie, who at first struggled to fit in, finds a sense of belonging in the community. Delia, who is engaged to the local golden boy, begins to question whether he is really the right person for her. Aiken, who once seemed like a privileged and thoughtless person, begins to think about what she really wants in life and starts to make changes to her plans.

The performances in Heart of Dixie are excellent. Ally Sheedy brings depth and intelligence to the role of Maggie, who is a nuanced and complex character. Virginia Madsen is excellent as Delia, who is torn between her desire to fit in and her growing discomfort with the status quo. Phoebe Cates shines as Aiken, who undergoes a journey of self-discovery throughout the movie.

The setting of the film is also noteworthy. The movie was filmed in Augusta, Georgia, which stands in for the fictional town of Springdale. The town is picturesque and quintessentially Southern, with large old houses, oak trees dripping with Spanish Moss, and wide streets. The setting adds to the film's sense of nostalgia and reinforces the idea that the town is a place frozen in time.

In conclusion, Heart of Dixie is a touching and insightful film about life in the South during the 1960s. The movie explores issues of race, class, and tradition in a thoughtful and nuanced way, and the performances are strong across the board. The film is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for change and growth.

Heart of Dixie is a 1989 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.