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Customer Reviews of A Thousand Acres

Subtle and thoughtful drama with a powerhouse cast
I wish this hadn't bombed at the box office because this was an excellent film adaptation of one of my favorite contemporary novels by Jane Smiley. I guess the themes are a little tough--incest, madness, marital infidelity, ugly family secrets, cancer and the corrupting power of sex and money aren't exactly pick-me-ups. But the actors are superb--Jessica Lange really captures the essence of her trapped-in-girlhood character as does Michelle Pfeiffer as her feisty younger sister who masks her pain behind anger. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Keith Carradine, Jason Robards and my favorite, Colin Firth (complete with Midwestern accent--check out how he tries to say "farm" like an Iowan!) complete this stellar cast and everyone is terrific. <
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>The story is a slightly different take on the story of King Lear, with Robards as an aging farmer who decides to leave his one-thousand acre farm to his three daughters, sparking life-changing conflict for them all. The story is quietly told, with two of the sisters finally acknowleding the abuse of their childhoods and searching for new hope as adults. Mixed into the tale is a subplot of adultery and betrayal. <
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>I looked for this film for years after reading the book and am glad to have finally experienced it. If you like the stuff of real-life drama, this is a compelling story that will hold your attention and make you think.

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Jessica Lange!
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.

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Pfeiffer and Lange: Powerhouse Performances
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. <
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>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. <
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>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. <
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>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. <
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>Grade: B+ (the performances I give A)