"Far And Away" 1992

I remember the dulcet tones of Enya at the movie theater I worked at when this movie played. It brings back a ton of memories. Mostly that I worked at a movie theater, and that drunk women would come in and wanna watch Tom Cruise’s asscheeks.

This movie is about the American Dream. In the late 1800’s there was a land rush in Oklahoma. This brought out many people wanting to claim a stake in land. This was when land was pure, and that we’re not all just renting it. The process is simple, bust a flag and stake your parcel of land. Seems easy enough. Unless you’re an immigrant with just lint in your pocket.

Tom Cruise portrays Joe Donnelly, a scrappy Irishman who hitches a ride with Shannon Christie (played by Nicole Kidman) to America to get land. Before Donnelly’s pop had passed, his dying words were that land is all that makes one a man. Similar to “Gone With The Wind” when Scarlett is reminded by her father that the red Earth of Tara (the plantation they owned) means everything.

But first, as they arrive in America, they come to the harsh reality that it’s not the dream they envisioned. It’s full of racism, poverty and hunger. That they faced adversity through a class system that excludes them from basic human conditions. Easy for Donnelly, since he’s always had nothing, a wake up call to Shannon, since she was of the privilege in Ireland.

While not a great movie, it is epic. It spans a great deal of time. But it also allows some real sentimental moments to shine through. It’s a movie that could only be made, if John Williams did the score. Because it’s big. The scope of this movie is just stunning (especially as this movie was blown up to 70mm print back in the day). The score alone blew you to the back of the theater, as I remember as a teen hearing it through the walls. It’s a type of movie that must be seen in theaters. It’s reminded me that Ron Howard was that type of filmmaker then. That he didn’t shy away from grandeur.

I love these types of movies. Yes, some weak plot points for convenience, but the movie does envelope you. And takes you to another place. Damn…shame they don’t make this type of movie anymore. I get the feeling Quentin Tarantino’s “Hateful Eight” may bring it back.