Far and Away
In this epic Ron Howard film, Joseph Donelly (Tom Cruise) is an impoverished 19th-century Irish tenant farmer who has recently lost both his father and his home to the agents of his unscrupulous landlord. On a mission to avenge his family's injustice at the hands of the ruthless land baron Joseph meets the landlord's daughter and the two run off to America together where the girl expects to claim a piece of land for herself in the Oklahoma Land Rush. After she is robbed on the boat that carries them to America, they arrive with nary a penny and struggle just to keep their heads above water in the slums of Boston. After a series of serious set-backs they do eventually work their way out West, where Joseph must fight to realize his dream and claim a piece of the American Dream for himself -- and where they finally acknowledge their love for each other. Shot in wide-screen Panavision, the movie was filmed on-location in Ireland and Montana. more..
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman,Thomas Gibson, Robert Prosky, Barbara Babcock
Something kicks in about two thirds in, and Far and Away becomes exhilarating.
Odd as it seems for a film built on such a grand scale, sweet is the operative word here, and that's not meant as an insult.
Even at its hokiest, Far and Away is never less than heartfelt.
The old seems old - but the result isn't unpleasant, and moviegoers just might go for it.
It's strong as can be in terms of production values and panoramic photography (as befits its $70-million budget) and weak as watery tea when it comes to little things like dialogue and character development.
Best Action Sequence
MTV Movie Awards (1993)
Worst Original Song
Razzie Awards (1993)
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