Mr Black
I really enjoyed this film. I thought the direction and cinematography was superb. The director obviously put a lot of thought into each shot and the cinematographer is gifted. It is an unusual story line and well done. Really liked Elizabeth Reaser. Thought she was not only beautiful but did a great job posing as this poor German girl. Well done. In fact the entire cast was quite spectacular. Costuming was great. This is my type of film. It tells a story using character and script. Nobody getting blown up, or being shot. Just human emotion. This was director Ali Selim's first feature film and what a great start to a feature career. From what i've read he was already accomplished in working in commercials so he knew what film was all about. The transition to a feature film is superb.
Tom DeFelice
It is true that "Sweet Land" would have been a better picture with the non-1920s segments removed. But that is not the major problem of the film. The general lack of thinking that permeates this picture along with the slow pace dooms it to failure.Example: In this very strange first generation Norwegian-American community, no one speaks Norwegian. How many first generation immigrant communities do not speak their native tongue at least amongst themselves? None.Example: The actors are supposed to be speaking German and Norwegian at one point. But because no one seemed to care to teach them (even if only phonetically) actual dialog, they spout gibberish that is suppose to sound Norwegian and German.Example: The anti-German World War One feelings are so high that the community refuses to accept the lead female character. But by the time of the story, the war had been over for four years. The losing Germans were no longer the enemy. The anti-German feelings no longer existed...especially from new immigrants. Norway did not battle the way the French and English did.Example: Two of the major characters played by Alan Cumming and John Heard have no motivation to do what they do, except that it advances the story in the direction the filmmakers want to go.Example: The one nude scene is totally gratuitous. Who takes a bath in the living room at four in the morning and then falls asleep in the tub? Only the bride-to-be of a farmer who is so dumb that he fails to see her and instead washes in the yard would know.These are just a few of the "sloppy" problems of the film. There is the slide show, the auction, the size of the wheat field, the bankers, the neighbors...You get the picture.If you have an overwhelming need to see Elizabeth Reaser's backside, then you will enjoy this film. Otherwise, you're just wasting your time.
Aristides-2
I give it a five instead of 3 because I didn't watch all of it; I couldn't bring myself to watch anymore of it. Odds and ends: 1. The two pre-title sequences were much too long. So much so that tedium began to set in. 'Teases' should be just that; a hook to whet your interest. I also found the two sequences slightly difficult to understand. 2. I understand this was a first time director so slack must be cut. However, camera placement was poor in a lot of the set- ups.....awkwardness. 3. Music was simplistic and therefore heavy handed. 4. The cars, rented from overprotective antique car buffs, were always so spotlessly clean. Isn't this 1920 farmland America? Actually, everything I saw in my foreshortened viewing was squeaky clean and over- scrubbed. 5. Since Olaf was Norwegian and believed he was 'sent' a Norwegian bride-to-be, why wouldn't he at least speak the language to her, however shy he was? 6. Alan Cumming's character should have been named, 'Nonny Sequitur'. 7. Finally, I think director Selim was channeling Norman Rockwell cause that's what the total effect was for me, a Norman Rockwell painting.
jmschau
And I think that's what many viewers pass their ultimate judgment on - what they think the movie is about.The actual movie, though, falls far short. Let me count the ways.It's pace, if there is one, is glacial.Olaf, for most of the movie is beyond shy and retiring, he's border line retarded.The minister hates Inge with a passion, then does a 180, decides he loves the girl, based on....what? Seeing her work hard in the corn field? The neighbors raise $7,000 and give it to Olaf so Olaf can keep his farm? No, to keep his neighbor's farm, which he bought without any money. When his 'bid' was the highest, all the banker lets the other bidders, the ones with real money, take off, despite knowing that Olaf does have anywhere near enough money.On the other hand, viewers were fortunate enough to see what was probably the prettiest immigrant girl who came across the ocean. Lucky Olaf.The general concept could have resulted in a really sweet movie - the actual story line was thread bear.
AD
