| Overall Grade: |
A |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A |
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| Direction: |
B+ |
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| Visuals: |
A |
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A Love Story about Good People that's Worth Seeing
by Kaia P (movies profile)
Jan 14, 2007
4
of
4 people found this review helpful
The story is simple and it's one we've heard before: boy meets girl, they fall in love but don't have the approval of society, love wins in the end. What's unique about "Sweet Land" is the setting, rural Minnesota in the 1920's. What's exceptional about the movie is the telling of the story.
It's a slow telling and although for some films a slow pace is killing, in "Sweet Land" the choice of pacing seems purposeful. It allows the audience to observe the subtle, almost imperceptible character development and the distinct culture of Northern Minesota.
The reason the characters growth takes place so quietly is because of the repressed and controlled social values of the town, and in fact the region and the era. For example, Olaf, the would-be-groom, and Inge, the German outsider and would-be-bride, are judged harshly by the pastor and town's people for many reasons, but the most upsetting reason seems to be that Inge makes her coffee too dark... "It's a waste of the beans!" The Norwegian Lutheran heritage is represented truthfully and with both affection and respect, in spite of the often humorous looks at what was once considered scandalous. This careful construction of setting and sensibility are what makes the film substantial.
What gives the film its warmth, its heart, are the characters. We watch complete strangers, victims of a somewhat botched mail-order-bride job, move from caution to active dislike, to friendship and the most innocent lust (if one could even call it that as their desire is shown only in the most veiled stolen, awkward glances), to real love. I won't reveal the specifics of the plot but certain actions of Olaf and reactions of Inge reveal the kind of person each is and that is when they fall in love.
The movie takes its time and is artfully told. The scenery is almost a character because it cannot be ignored by the characters or audience. The open spaces of prairie and of crops are a contrast to the smallness of the prejudice shown to Inge. The earth seems both benevolent but demanding. It offers food and subsequntly income but the taming and tilling of nature are hard fought.
"Sweet Land" is a beautiful movie that made the audience I was in smile, belly laugh, and sympathize with its characters. The acting was first rate. Because Inge speaks very little English (her reference book teaches her to say things like "I could eat a horse")and some of the characters speak Norwegian as well as English, much communicating has to be guessed at rather than simply spoken. Every note played by the leads rings true and is really a tribute to the acting theory that less is more.
I highly reccomend this film to anyone who enjoys a good story about good people. How rare and gutsy to make and market a film that has no more violence than one punch, no sex, and no enemy other than our own small mindedness. This film is for a patient audience who will appreciate detail. "Sweet Land" is delightful, suprising and intelligent. And, if you're from Minnesota, you can't afford to miss it. Uff da, it's a good one, you betcha. |
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