MovieChat Forums > Far and Away (1992) Discussion > Unlike Most...One of My ALL TIME Favorit...

Unlike Most...One of My ALL TIME Favorite Films!!!

posted 9 years ago by terkoss
8 replies | jump to latest

That's right...Far and Away is probably in my Top 10 favorite films. I'm 50 years old and a fairly big film buff. It's definitely an odd thing - how the vast majority of those that have seen the film, as represented by the rating of 6.5, basically only see it as "fair". I read a few posts from one thread of those who didn't like it, mostly Irish folks who ranted on about the inaccuracy of Cruise's accent. I'll be saying much about the film, but just to comment about that: I always thought his accent was great. Now that I've read the criticisms, I agree that it may not be accurate "technically" speaking. But this is a movie that one escapes into fantasy. And his accent is for me, highly entertaining...and I absolutely love it. I specifically thought so many times (I think I've seen it 15+ times) that (knowing he's American and not his normal voice) his accent was exceedingly well done, "theatrically" speaking. It fits *perfectly* for the film...people should understand that! I'm fully aware what an accurate Irish accent sounds like. Colin Farrell's native accent in the film Ondine (where he plays an Irish fisherman) would be accurate, yes? But think about it...put that accent with Joseph Donnelly's character and tons is lost.

Admittedly, I've been one at times with certain films to tag this or that as "that would never happen or be like that". Some films come off as trying to be realistic, others are not. Surely no one can argue that this is a movie striving to depict real life. This is the antithesis of that! I think that's why it's one of my all time faves - because it's so perfectly done in my mind as being the perfect epic story of a young man's life's journey! Ron Howard produced it close enough to "real" (i.e., not abstract like Brazil, or Fight Club or Legend, etc.) that I was able to take myself there...to dream it and wish I was Joseph Donnelly. And on that note - Ron Howard achieved that for me 100%. Seriously, how great it would be to have lived that tale of life.

And a minute to praise not only the overall storyline, but the flow of each moment of every scene. Most reading this have seen it, but to recall that we start with Joseph with his brothers on an isolated parcel of land on the coast of Ireland; that could've been where he lived his life through, or there about...in that small village. But how brilliant the flow is, *always perfectly believable for a "fantasy" storyline*; Joseph's destiny...what will ultimately lead to a completely new life for him - whether or not he jumps on Shannon's horse drawn cart to escape being killed. Little did he know at that moment.

Pointless to recount the whole film, but it has everything a Hollywood tale of that genre I could hope for. As I said, I'd love to have lived such a life and be Joseph - a "nobody" guy, who has courage to seeks vengeance against injustice, loves his father dearly, courage to risk the unknown and seek a better life; a sense of adventure in an exciting new world. He can fight very well and is a lady's man, falls in love and wins the love of a beautiful woman, works hard, has an ego yes, but learns to be humble, never gives up in striving for his dream (to own land)...and triumphs in the end. I'm left knowing Joseph Donnelly was a hell of character, to say the least.

To summarize on the film: I believe I see the film just as Ron Howard intended it to be. An awesome life adventure of a young man that magically takes me away still whenever I watch it. Someone surely lived a life as exciting, full of adventure, and eventful as Joseph Donnelly's. I'm living a good life. I've had my adventures...so I can't complain. But thank God and for all those involved in creating the magic of cinema - so every once in a while I can escape to another man's life. So then I can feel brave. Then I can seek a new world. Then I can buy too many hats. Then I can be kicked out into the cold. Then I can have problems and challenges I've never imagined having in this life. Then I can claim it. Then I can claim it as my own.

[–] mockingbirdfreak 9 years ago

I love love love this movie. Idk why the ratings are so low but whatever.... I love it.

[–] furienna 9 years ago

I will not be so bold that I would call this movie a masterpiece, but I sure like it, and I'm glad to finally see a more positive thread about it (most of the posters are way too negative). But I also will argue that this movie tries to depict the real life, as it would have been back in the 1890s. There might be historical errors, of course, but I wonder if any epic like this is 100 % correct.

Intelligence and purity.

[–] spookyrat1 9 years ago

Definitely no masterpiece, but Ron Howard always manages to assemble a good cast to tell an interesting story. I like it.🐭

[–] nastylev 8 years ago

Sir, you are not alone! I just saw it this morning, by sheer accident on an obscure TV channel, and was instantly reminded why I loved it so all those years ago. Came here, on IMDd, with the hope that I will find more than the usual "that accent isn't Irish' sort of people.
And, also quite by accident, I found a post written by someone who understands this movie, and who could summarize more eloquently than myself, why this movie is so amazing. Thank you for your post and thank you for removing the embarrassment of thoroughly enjoying a movie that most viewers consider mediocre at best!

"If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid."

[–] TandyMan (11096) 7 years ago

I've always loved this movie. I mean LOVED this movie. I thought everybody did. One day a lot of us co-workers were at a bar party and we got talking movies and this came up and everybody took their turn pissing on it. What?? I had no idea people didn't like this movie. And apparently it's pretty hated by most everybody. I don't get it. More than ever there's a growing divide with the sensational grandeur of old school Hollywood vs the gritty realism of the modern form.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Give me the sensational grandeur. I like to derive joy from movies. That's not something I get from the grim, gritty and depressing approach of so much Hollywood cinema these days.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I'm glad you enjoy this.

[–] Oblivioid (1482) 5 years ago

It's not in my top ten all time favorites, but it's an incredible film nonetheless. It has outstanding non-cgi location shooting that fits the time period, the costumes are as authentic as you can get, and it captures the robber baron era of post civil war America quite well, with young immigrants hoping for a land of promise, only to be slapped with the reality of dirty low wage slave labor, and the squalid living conditions of the lower class. Tom Cruise was in top form, and Kidman finally found a role that suits her, as a snobbish spoiled bitchy aristocrat, just as you could imagine her in real life!