Common Sense Media Review
Intense and melodramatic Cruise-Kidman immigrant epic.
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Far and Away
What's the Story?
In FAR AND AWAY, Ron Howard teams up with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman to deliver an epic immigration saga. Cruise plays Joseph, an Irish tenant farmer who's bullied and picked on but has big dreams. On his deathbed, Joseph's father all but orders him to get some land to prove his worth: "Without land, a man is nothing. Land is a man's very own soul. America," he gasps, "that's what you're looking for." Joseph travels to his landlord's house to avenge his father's death, and the landlord's daughter, Shannon (Kidman), whisks Joseph away with her to America. Both dream of owning land on the western frontier of Oklahoma. Along the way, they face challenges to their physical, emotional, and spiritual health from people who exploit them, steal from them, and chase them.
Is It Any Good?
This star-studded historical romance has all the markings of an epic, even a race—with covered wagons. But Far and Away's land-grab scene with horses and wagons toppling over one another is unintentionally hilarious, not to mention misleading, given the real-world presence of Native Americans in what the film portrays as empty land. But the premise doesn't have to make sense; it all comes down to fate. Joseph and Shannon are fated to be together—though we know it long before they admit it. Joseph is fated to own land. Shannon is fated to be a "modern" woman. Just go with it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Joseph and Shannon's immigrant experience in Far and Away. What are the differences and similarities between immigrants of the 19th century and those today? What makes the wave of Irish immigration to the United States during the late 1800s unique?
Does the film's exciting land rush scene make you curious about what happened in reality? What aspects on-screen are accurate, and what might be glossed over? Should the film have made it clear these settlers were taking plots of land on Indian Territory? Why, or why not?
How do Joseph and Shannon demonstrate courage, both as a couple and as individuals? Why is courage an important character strength?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 22, 1992
- On DVD or streaming : May 28, 1998
- Cast : Nicole Kidman , Thomas Gibson , Tom Cruise
- Director : Ron Howard
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Run time : 140 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some violence and sensuality.
- Last updated : January 16, 2025
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