| A Thousand Acres | | Cast : | Jessica Lange, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jennifer Jason Leigh | | Director : | Jocelyn Moorhouse | | Studio : | Buena Vista | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | September 19, 1997 | | DVD Released Date : | December 09, 2003 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Subtitled), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 05, 2005 | | Summary | Children of the corn ... | Content
 | I never read "King Lear," so I don't know how accurate this interpretation of the novel actually is. Suffice it to say that it takes place on a farm, and the patriarch of a semi-large extended family decides to divvy up his "thousand acres" amongst his daugthers and their families.
Only it isn't that easy.
For some underlying reason (or two) not made quite clear in the movie, all hell breaks loose, and basically the various members of the family take out their aggressions on everyone else. It makes for some potent revelations, some rolls in the cornstalks, and a hell of a lot of tears and some high drama.
Perhaps needless to say Michelle Pheiffer and Jessica Lange (the two leads) are magnificent, and Jessica received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Drama. The performances throughout the movie make up for its murkiness and hokey moments, though they are few-and-far-between.
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| Rating | | | Date | November 26, 2004 | | Summary | Jessica Lange! | Content
| I initally saw this film in the theater. It deeply moved me since it realistically paralleled an event that had recently occurred in my own family. A couple years later, I watched it again on video to see if my reaction had been more personal than an actual response to the art of the film. No doubt, the acting, story and scenery evoke feelings that persist to this day.
Without the realistic and nuanced performance of Lange, the movie would be considerably less effective. As she recently did in Normal and in other respectable interpretations as in Frances and Music Box, Lange nails the intricate emotions and mannerisms that allow the viewer to get into her skin and empathize with her character's reality. Her character deals with loyalty, innocence, devotion, and betrayal, all of which Lange portrays in rich colors.
Pfeifer and Leigh are also commendable in their interpretations, and with the other talented actors a quilt of familiar comfort is weaved. Yet, as the film progresses, we see that the wear and tear of life experiences can unravel and fray that which was once beautiful, or at least had the potential to be.
A Thousand Acres is subtle but unforgettable. I'm purchasing it to view at my leisure and to share with others. |
| Rating | | | Date | October 26, 2004 | | Summary | Pfeiffer and Lange: Powerhouse Performances | Content
| This is one of movies where the memorable performances of the leads particularly Pfeiffer and Lange was probably now forgotten because of the failure of the movie, at least in the box office and reception by the critics. The movie has some flaws at least from my point of view, like the lack of coherence of the whole movie, some felt rushed and underdeveloped, lacked of style in storytelling, and weakness in the script. But I personally think this movie is still worth seeing, it has a certain quality that made it compelling and very relatable.
Michelle Pfeiffer gave a tour de force performance she interpreted Rose with such anger you almost feel why she's angry. She gave so much depth to her interpretation, the way her eyes well up and the intensity of her face in the confrontation scenes. It was heartbreaking and very touching. ("I did not forgive the unforgivable, that's my sole solitary and only accomplishment") Jessica Lange gave the subtler and more vulnerable attack to the character. She's a little laid back and understated and the result is really moving performance. I think Pfeiffer gave the better performance only because she got to play the more intense, showy, and ultimately tragic character.
The late Jason Robards was very good. He created a character that's both disgusting and also compelling. In the scene where he appeared to start exhibiting signs of senility and he just lost in the case regarding the farm, You can just feel what Pfeiffer was feeling when she said to her dad while going out in the court "Daddy, you lost" and she said it with such desperation and anger. That's probably one of the worst feelings, not being able to make the person who've done you wrong know what he did.
For fans of Pfeiffer and Lange, I recommend this movie. They gave one of the best performances of their careers. For those who are not, but you're a fan of good performances I also recommend this film.
Grade: B+ (the performances I give A) |
| Rating | | | Date | March 08, 2002 | | Summary | Shakespeare it isn't! | Content
| This film definitely has merit as well as an all-star cast. It may well be an updated version of King Lear, but I found the topic less than entertaining...and I was not thrilled with the ending. As for Colin Firth's performance as an American drifter... he successfully portrays a Mr. Wickham from his P&P days. He is charming, available, and easy to like ~ except he is definitely not going to be around for the duration. And what sort of cad sleeps with sisters of the same family...simultaneously? |
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