Quick Info
This is one of those dramas that kind of snuck past mainstream radar in the late '90s. "A Thousand Acres" is a sweeping, somber adaptation of Jane Smiley’s Pulitzer-winning novel, set against the vast, windy farmlands of Iowa. At its heart, it’s about a family stretched to breaking by buried secrets and the fallout of a father (played by Jason Robards) deciding to pass his land down to his three daughters. The setup feels like a modernized "King Lear" — which it is, sort of — but don’t let that scare you if Shakespeare isn’t your thing.
What really grabbed me was the unnerving slow burn of family dynamics. Jessica Lange and Michelle Pfeiffer have a lived-in closeness as sisters spinning apart, and their performances are quietly devastating, especially as resentment boils over. The movie doesn’t flinch from the bleakness of rural isolation or generational trauma — it can be a heavy watch, but it’s anchored by these complex, believable women. The scenes between Lange and Robards are particularly raw, and there's an undercurrent of anger and grief that feels authentic.
The pacing isn’t always perfect. Some sections feel stretched thin, and it lingers on certain story beats a little too long, maybe to drive the point home. There are moments when the drama feels a bit melodramatic, like it wants to make each confrontation thunderous, but the script doesn’t always earn those fireworks. Still, overall, it’s honest enough that you let a few uneven moments slide.
Visually, the cinematography is surprisingly lush for a farmland saga. There’s a lot of broad, golden fields, quietly beautiful sunsets, and a sense that the land itself is a character (almost stifling in its constancy). The camera lingers on long, empty highways and huge, open skies, putting you right in that atmosphere of lonely Americana. It reminded me how powerfully the backdrop of a place can weigh on a story.
You would enjoy this if you’re drawn to serious family dramas with emotional weight, or if you appreciate stories about complicated women weathering the storms of legacy and loss. It’s not a light movie, but it’s rewarding if you like digging into messy relationships and rural Americana. Great for fans of “August: Osage County” or even more grounded “Big Chill” types who don’t mind a little darkness.
