leeper@mtgzz.UUCP (m.r.leeper) (10/10/85)
COUNTRY
A film review by Mark R. Leeper
Capsule review: This is a very authentic view of the
problems of an Iowa farm family. It is believable in ways
that even good films like PLACES IN THE HEART don't touch.
This is the best film I have seen in a good long time.
Let's face it. My main interest is fantasy film. I like films of
James Bond saving the world, of interplanetary warfare, stories with
monsters. I don't remember being as caught up in a film as I was in this
film about an Iowa farm family and their financial problems. COUNTRY was
one of three similar films that came out at the same time. I haven't seen
THE RIVER, but I really enjoyed PLACES IN THE HEART. That film had
characters who were people the way they ought to be. They were deep down
noble and dogged and behaved as if they stepped out of a Faulkner novel.
COUNTRY is different. Somebody didn't get these characters out of novels.
Somebody saw these characters over the back fence. I, admittedly, have not
lived that much around country people (though I have lived in the Midwest),
but these people are as authentic as any people I remember ever seeing in a
film. When they show courage it is the kind of courage people really show.
And they have very human weaknesses also. When the characters have problems
they come in eight at a time, just like mine do.
Jessica Lange is Jewell Ivy. About ten years ago, Lange got a multi-
picture contract for appearing in KING KONG. She played the role with a
talent almost on the Tanya Roberts level. I could not imagine what other
director would ever want her again. Ten years later, I cannot imagine what
other actress could have been as believable as an Iowa farm wife. Her
mannerisms are real, she looks like a farm wife--for me she was near perfect
in the role. And as far as I know, it was her first time in a role of this
type. Sam Shepard at least has experience playing a farmer. He played a
similar role in RESURRECTION. His authenticity almost matches Lange's.
Wilford Brimley is almost always good as an actor and in this film he rates
a distinct third place.
What more can I say? When I watched this film I really worried about
the Ivy family. I felt like I had the same financial problems. Everywhere
I look in this film it is authentic. I was REALLY impressed by this film.
I give it a strong +3 on the -4 to +4 scale. Disney Studios has never made
a more adult and intelligent film. I missed this one in the theater, but I
am glad I finally saw it on cable.
Mark R. Leeper
...ihnp4!mtgzz!leeper