This is one of my all-time favorite movies ever! I love any movie with Natalie Portman OR Ashley Judd. I first saw this movie when it came out in theaters when I was a teenager. It was such a great feel-good movie with a lot of depth and meaning to it. I loved the cute love story and how her ex-boyfriend who abandoned her at Wal-Mart when she was pregnant, changed his life around. this is a great chick flick, but also one the whole family can enjoy. This is one of those few I fall back on again and again when I want a familiar favorite or something to fall asleep to. I never get tired of it.
A beautiful young pregnant girl is left stranded by her heartless boyfriend at an Oklahoma Wal-Mart. With nothing for company but a budging fichus tree given to her by the local welcome committee ("Sister" Thelma Husband), she takes shelter inside the Wal-Mart keeping a collection of IOUs that she fully intends to repay when able. In the meantime, she meets Forney, the brother of the local librarian (something of a loner but extremely articulate) who inspires her to educate herself. Eventually, Forney delivers Novalee's baby girl Americus inside the local Wal-Mart, ushering the duo into the spotlight. She befriends Lexie (Ashley Judd), a independent minded, free-spirited single mother and moves in With "Sister" and her gentlemen friend "Mr. Spock." It is in the heart of this sleepy town that Novalee learns what it means to be a family, the value of friends, develops a passion for photography, and falls in love with a man who turns out to be her soul-mate. Of course, there are several bumps to happily ever.