A THOUSAND ACRES 1997
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1998 Timothy Voon
2 :-) :-) Not quite King Lear, but as poignant
Cast: Jessica Lange, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jason Robards, Colin Firth, Keith Carradine, Kevin Anderson Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse Producer: Steve Golin Screenplay: Laura Jones, based on the novel by Jane Smiley
Although this may appear to be another girly, weepy ‘chic flic', and it is, at least it comes at a reasonably high standard. Jocelyn Moorehouse (HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT) does not resort to cheap tricks for tears and the plight of these believable characters, are earnestly addressed on screen.
A THOUSAND ACRES is based on a novel of the same name, written by Jane Smiley. She has also cleverly entwined elements of KING LEAR into her novel. A respectable farmer, a pillar in his community, wishes to leave his farm to his three daughters. Everything seems perfect on the outside, but beneath this veneer of a happy family, lies a most horrible secret.
This is the story of three sisters torn apart by the past, the present and the future. The youngest daughter, Caroline (Jennifer Jason Leigh), is also her father's favourite. When she disagrees with his will, she is unceremoniously disinherited from the family. The two older sisters Ginny (Jessica Lange) and Rose (Michelle Pfeiffer), agree to his will and take over the running of the farm. It is here that perfection becomes to crumble, and the true nature of the family is revealed. As the father (Jason Robards), becomes rapidly paranoid and believes that the oldest daughters have stolen the farm from him and are now mistreating him. This evolves into an ugly family and legal battle, between the youngest daughter and father and the two older siblings.
Issues like infertility, breast cancer, dementia, incest, death and dying, loss of a mother, forgiveness, unforgiveness, hate, anger, resentment, sibling rivalry, unfaithfulness, family discord, husbands and lovers and lots more tear jerking material are addressed. Although too numerous for a single movie to handle, the novel is available for a more comprehensive perspective.
Jessica Lange and Michelle Pfeiffer are wonderful as the competitive, and yet close sisters. Michelle is particularly good as an angry, vindictive bitch who is out to destroy her father for what he did to her in the past, whilst Jessica Lange shows more compassion and forgiveness.
It is these cornfields of A THOUSAND ACRES which binds them all together, and which will eventually tear them apart.
Timothy Voon
e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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