Far and Away [Blu-ray]

What can I say about this film to begin my review? Three words. I LOVE it. I may be a little biased, but I love things set in Ireland, Scotland, and that area. I was hooked immediately on the beautiful scenery of Ireland's west coast, and my heart was immediately stirred by the rich and dramatic, yet at times very soft and tender music. Even more so when I read "Music By John Williams" in the opening credits. But I digress. Music and scenery aside this movie still has much going for it, and it really shines. It's a love story yes, but it's beautiful. Others have mentioned the great chemistry between Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman here, and they are right. I am not a big fan of Tom Cruise (Rain Man was excellent though) or Nicole Kidman, but they played very well off each other. This film follows, again as many have mentioned, the two lead characters as they make a harrowing journey from Ireland to Boston to Oklahoma in pursuit of their dreams. His is "I'll work my own land someday" hers is "I'm modern, and I'm going to a modern place" She wants to get away from her parents old-fashioned and "stuffy" way of living. I hate to diss other films so I'll try not to do that here. I WILL say that I loved the love story in Far And Away because it works. And it works because it is given time to develop. Joseph and Shannon hate each others guts at first and make no secret of it, but they are drawn slowly together by the perils of their journey. It is touching to see their hatred for each other change from hatred to grudging respect, to affection, and finally grow all the way to genuine love. This works MUCH better than spending a day on a ship, and saying to yourself "Oh look, there's a pretty girl up on the next deck. Let's take her dancing, partying, teach her how to spit, how to stand on the back of a ship with her eyes shut and her arms outstretched. Then I'll draw a nude portrait of her, and then we'll go and have sex in the back of a car. All witihin a period of about three or four days." (Just for the record I loved Titanic too, but the "quickie" love story took away from the power of the film JUST a TAD because the love between Rose and Jack was not allowed to GROW and DEVELOP into itself as it is here in FAR AND AWAY. In TITANIC the love between Jack and Rose was just THERE. It was just: Boy meets girl. Girl meets boy. Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy. Badda-BING, Bada-BANG, Badda-BOOM) I'm sorry, I'm digressing again, so I'll try to keep to the point and keep the rest of this short. In summary , to me this film is a great one, well done in every part of the package. LOVELY scenery is wedded to absolutely beautiful music as two great actors are supported by an assortment of loveable aqquaintances and a couple of dastardly villians (I'm counting Mike Kelly here too, see the film to know who he is and why I call him a villian). All this comes together in a beautiful love story that has the power to touch the heart, and the tear ducts, and make you realize the importance of holding onto and going after your dreams. I loved it, and so can you, if you have the courage to let this film touch your heart. If you do allow that, it will carress it. Peace, and God bless you. Always.

Great movie. A story about a time when every American was given a chance to punch people and take land from native Americans. Tom cruise at his best, and yes he does sprint in this movie. Maybe a little slower than Ethan Hunt. Loved this movie in the 90s and still is great. “But don’t take my word for it” -Levar Burton

good movie works in my dvd player

Love this Irish take to American

Far and Away is a very big movie and I liked it. It is simply beautiful with panning views of western Ireland, Atlantic ocean, Boston, and Oklahoma Territory. There is no doubt the grand epic style of a love story is alive and well here. That being said there are some problems in story line and too often inhibit the story's authentic historical story line. I got the feeling events were contrived to achieve a planned outcome. In other words the story feels very much like pulling your leg fiction. After Shannon and Joseph reach Boston from Ireland, Cruise does a fine job as a bare fisted fighter. Cruise is not a big man, but is powerful,lean, and quick, and takes out every challenger at the Social Club except one; the Italian. In the process of defeating the Italian and within minutes of victory and winning a large sum of money, Joseph bolts off into the crowd because Shannon against her will is sitting on a councilman's knee. As a result of this distraction he fowls up his footing and gets kidney punched. Unable to fight further he loses a pile of money that could have sent them to Oklahoma. Sorry I just don't buy it. A rematch might have helped everyone on the losing side. After all Joseph was the better fighter. The story turns grim with the young couple (I guess they're a couple)gets evicted and robbed and has to fight for survival. After days of starvation Shannon gets shot while she and Joseph break into a home. Shannon amazingly ends up back with her family in Boston who have also come to America. This is a bit too coincidental. Joseph makes for the Ozarks though a blizzard. After Joseph finds employment and is lounging in his bunk he sees a wagon train passing by. He jumps off the train he is boarding, and with a hat and a bedroll he joins the wagon train. What is the race a few miles down the road? Needless to say he is unprepared for such a journey. The Oklahoma territory land rush is simply a thrill. Hundreds of wagons, horsemen, even cycles line up. This is just excellent footage. After the gun sounds Wagons are skidding and flipping, horses stumbling, other debris sprawling along the course. One of the most exciting moments in the land rush was Shannon and her horse hurdling a pile of debris as she bends forward for more speed. The next sequence very badly strains credibility but it is also a declaration of love for Shannon and Joseph so rather than complain I will take my hat off to a grand old film. Enya puts a lump in the throat. GJ

Great Movie!! They Loved it!! Perfect gift!!

I liked the story and the history involved with the Irish culture and the Potato Famine, the arrival of immigrants in New York, the Oklahoma Land Rush portrayal. The casting of characters couldn't have been better. Again the combination of those things along with a great love story, funny at times, tragic at times, and very touching. I had it on videotape but purchased it on dvd because the tape was wearing out. I watch it several times a year. Ron Howard had another winner in this production.

I love Tom Cruise and it's a good plot for the movie.

Looked very much forward to receiving this favorite film of mine but I became utterly disappointed since it didn't want to play on our dvd.. 😞

trés beau film,! recu,enfin,! en francais,! Merci,! ( il n'es pas perdue,! ) il est rentré, lundi 20 janvier 2025,!

Whatever anybody says. This is a lovely film and the two of them are great together. I love the line"Land. It's the only thing worth fighting for" The Irish and the Chinese built America and Ireland's greatest export has always been it's people. This film portrays that perfectly!

Straight off, i must admit that i find Tom Cruise can be guilty of 'acting'..which is to say that it looks like he is always trying to act. This movie will be the biggest surpise to most people. Ron Howard directs this epic about the Irish coming to America and their desire to own a small piece of land which the government is giving away. This is the theme that motivates the characters throughout the film. The photography in this movie is second to none and you can find yourself being immersed in the story just because of the grande scale of the countryside or the dirty, wet streets of Boston. You can both taste the dust and feel the rain. Howard is a master at getting both the best from the actors and having them blend sooo smoothly into the storyline, that you find yourself running right along beside them. It is a movie that shows how hard the spirit can drive you to reach your goals, and each character seems to be made for their parts. I have never been let down by a Ron howard film, and this one is certainly at the top of the 'to watch' list. I am sure most who have not seen this movie, will be wondering why they hadn't, before, as the movie draws to a close

Good it's a present so not played it yet.