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From Amazon.co.uk
Jessica Lange and Michelle Pfeiffer are quietly dazzling in this underrated adaptation of Jane Smiley's best-selling modern version of King Lear. The two play sisters of a stubborn, alcoholic Iowa farmer (Jason Robards), who decides to leave his fertile farm to them and their youngest sister (Jennifer Jason Leigh). It is a decision that rends the family, setting siblings against one another and forcing long-held secrets out of their guilty closets. The family dynamics become ever more destructive, and the refuge of sanity the two older sisters have created may be their only salvation. It's a tragedy not quite on a Shakespearean scale, but anyone who appreciates the difficulties of a dysfunctional family will relate to the heartbreak--and the promise of redemption. Pfeiffer especially is breathtaking as the good housewife Rose, whose rage at her father and her husband is never far from her placid surface. --Anne Hurley
Product Description
When retiring Iowa farmer Larry Cook announces that he wishes to split his land between his three daughters, the eldest - Ginny (Jessica Lange) and Rose (Michelle Pfeiffer) reluctantly agree. However, Caroline (Jennifer Jason Leigh) disagrees, and is disowned by Larry as a result. The decision sparks off a tragic family feud: Larry soon falls out with Ginny, who has begun an affair with a local boy, and Rose, but loses a court battle to regain control of his farm.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Eddie Nguyen
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A Thousand Acres [DVD] [1997]
Geesh, what a flick!. This is such a powerful story about a down to earth farming family in the American midwest when the balance of power shifts...with earthy disclosures.
Jason Robards is wonderful as is Michelle Pheiffer & Jessica Lange.
Anyone who enjoys good drama with a natural simply told story will certainly want to pick up this flick. It is a dvd that you will want to see again & again.
Geesh, what a flick!. This is such a powerful story about a down to earth farming family in the American midwest when the balance of power shifts...with earthy disclosures.
Jason Robards is wonderful as is Michelle Pheiffer & Jessica Lange.
Anyone who enjoys good drama with a natural simply told story will certainly want to pick up this flick. It is a dvd that you will want to see again & again.
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Dennis Littrell
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
One of the Message Boards threads at IMDb had two women talking about Colin Firth, how they watched the movie only because of him. Obviously these were two young women; but what struck me is how little this movie has been appreciated by audiences generally. The brilliant, and I mean brilliant, performances by Michelle Pfeiffer and Jessica Lange were hardly noticed, not only by audiences, but by the Academy and by most of the critics.
I think I know why. First, the plot--or actually just the setup--is a kind of bastardization of Shakespeare's King Lear with the dying, crazy patriarch and the three scheming daughters who will inherit. Their names even begin with the same letters, Regan, Goneril, and Cordelia--Rose, Ginny, and Caroline. And I guess "Larry" (Jason Robards) works for "Lear." The apparent idea envisioned by Jane Smiley in her Pulitzer Prize winning novel was to tell a Lear-like story from the point of view of the daughters, and to tell it in a sort of late twentieth century realistic way not considered by the Bard. The problem is, in Smiley and Moorhouse's story, the two older daughters are very human with strengths and weaknesses while the father is a most despicable character without much in the way of redeeming qualities. His only strength is his ability to make a financial success of the farm; however, we can even discount that since his father and grandfather before him built the farm and he inherited it.
The second problem--and this is one I cannot personally attest to, not having read Smiley's novel--is that the movie is only a limited and partial interpretation of that novel. Still, it is almost always the case that an excellent novel, especially a long and ambitious one with many psychological nuances, cannot be faithfully transferred to the screen.... Read more ›
I think I know why. First, the plot--or actually just the setup--is a kind of bastardization of Shakespeare's King Lear with the dying, crazy patriarch and the three scheming daughters who will inherit. Their names even begin with the same letters, Regan, Goneril, and Cordelia--Rose, Ginny, and Caroline. And I guess "Larry" (Jason Robards) works for "Lear." The apparent idea envisioned by Jane Smiley in her Pulitzer Prize winning novel was to tell a Lear-like story from the point of view of the daughters, and to tell it in a sort of late twentieth century realistic way not considered by the Bard. The problem is, in Smiley and Moorhouse's story, the two older daughters are very human with strengths and weaknesses while the father is a most despicable character without much in the way of redeeming qualities. His only strength is his ability to make a financial success of the farm; however, we can even discount that since his father and grandfather before him built the farm and he inherited it.
The second problem--and this is one I cannot personally attest to, not having read Smiley's novel--is that the movie is only a limited and partial interpretation of that novel. Still, it is almost always the case that an excellent novel, especially a long and ambitious one with many psychological nuances, cannot be faithfully transferred to the screen.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Peter E.
Format:DVD
We first saw this film on German television and it was so good we decided to buy the DVD. Some really great acting by Jessica Lange, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jason Robards as well as most of the other cast members.
This film is down to earth reality and if you have not watched it you are definitely missing out on some great entertainment. For the price an absolute gift!!!!
This film is down to earth reality and if you have not watched it you are definitely missing out on some great entertainment. For the price an absolute gift!!!!
15 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
3 daughters, 1000 acres and their well-respected but tyrannical father. Larry Cook (Jason Robards) plays the bad-tempered, proud and recently retired father whom other farmers consult in regards to decisions about their farm. The discord begins when Larry publicly announces his decision to divide the 1000acres into 3 equal shares, Virginia/Ginny (Jessica Lange), Rose (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Caroline (Jennifer Jason Leigh). This gift is wavered by the youngest, Caroline, in order to think carefully into this and Larry's pride is injured. Father and daughter becomes estranged and Larry divides the farm into 2 portions but with time feels that Ginny and Rose and their families have forgotten about him and are preoccupied with having their own fun - due in part to the return of the prodigal son of a neighbour, Jess (Colin Firth) whom the girls haven't seen for a long time. Larry begins drink-driving and Ginny confiscates the keys to his truck for his own safety. This leads to the confrontation of accusations and threats between father and both daughters, which opens up honest admissions between Rose and Ginny about the lives of the Cook family. Ties and loyalties jump as Larry and Caroline take out a court order against her sisters over the management of the farm. The people in Pike feel Ginny and Rose have treated their father in an unacceptable manner. Ty (Keith Carradine) , Ginny's husband, takes Caroline's side and sisters are pitted against each other, as is father against daughters. The story is part-narrated by Ginny, the oldest. Loyal and optimistic. Being "oblivious" is how she copes with life but she is the anchor that holds the entire family together. Ty is equally nice as her husband who thinks and acts for the best of the farm.... Read more ›
By Jean
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Good story easy to follow and just right for the beach or round the pool on holiday. its a good read.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A well thought out film...Enjoyed the main characters....with a surprise ending....gives food for thought.....boo hooo booo hooo xxx xx x
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This film was very good but not quite as expected from the synopsis and reviews. Perhaps I missed something? Right from the beginning you have a sense that the characters have hidden depths and unresolved issues. The film demonstrated some of the difficulties facing women in cases of incest, from reasons why it is hidden to the impact on adult relationships. It also clearly highlighted social prejudice and distrust when the perpetrator is a respected member of society. The subject is dealt with very subtly and sensitively but it is still shocking and disturbing. It is not a feel good film.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Child Abuse portrayed in a deft and astonishing manner
I had recorded this film from one of the TV channels on DSTV in South Africa and they had described the film as follows :-
'When a mean-spirited old man divides his farm... Read more
'When a mean-spirited old man divides his farm... Read more
Published 5 months ago by B. D. Compton
3.0 out of 5 stars
Something to think about
I watched this but was left feeling I didn't quite understand it so maybe I should watch it again. It seemed quite hard for those involved.
Published 11 months ago by A. Cairns
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable yet sad
I have sent for so many films lately but haven't got around to watching them until the last week or so when the tv has nothing but football on so at last I am watching them and... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mrs. Christabel J. Cowley
4.0 out of 5 stars
Colin Firth in A Thousand Acres
This was a good movie with Jessica Lang and Michelle Pheiffer playing sisters - but what a sad story of internal family turmoil. Read more
Published on 28 April 2011 by Carolen L. Green
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