Far and Away Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A vengeful Irish farmer and a rebellious rich girl accidentally immigrate to America together and then participate in a really chaotic land grab, but mostly they just argue about class differences and whether Tom Cruise’s accent is offensive.

🍿 Far and Away: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Ireland: A Clash of Classes

In 1892 Ireland, Joseph Donnelly, a tenant farmer’s son, seeks revenge on his landlord, Daniel Christie, after his father’s death. During an attempt to kill Christie, Joseph meets Shannon, Daniel’s spirited daughter, who dreams of escaping her stifling life for the promise of free land in America. After a failed duel, Shannon proposes they travel together, with Joseph acting as her servant to avoid societal scrutiny.

Boston: Hardship and Bare-Knuckle Fighting

Arriving in Boston, Shannon and Joseph are robbed of their savings. They find themselves in a poor Irish community where Joseph works as a bare-knuckle boxer to earn money, while Shannon initially struggles to find suitable employment. Their relationship evolves from convenience to a complex mix of animosity and growing affection as they navigate the hardships of immigrant life.

Oklahoma: The Land Rush

Driven by their shared dream of owning land, Shannon and Joseph journey to the Oklahoma Territory to participate in the Land Rush of 1893. Along the way, they face numerous challenges and obstacles, including the reappearance of Shannon’s former suitor, Stephen Chase, who is determined to win her back and claim the most valuable land for himself. The film culminates in a chaotic and competitive race for land, where their love and determination are tested.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Joseph Donnelly (Tom Cruise): A poor and determined Irish farmer who seeks land and fortune in America.
• Shannon Christie (Nicole Kidman): A spirited and rebellious daughter of a wealthy landowner who yearns for a modern life in America.
• Stephen Chase (Thomas Gibson): The arrogant and entitled manager of the Christie estate who becomes a rival to Joseph.
• Daniel Christie (Robert Prosky): Shannon’s father and wealthy landowner who represents the old-world values she rejects.
• Nora Christie (Barbara Babcock): Shannon’s mother, representing the traditional values and expectations of Irish society.
• Kelly (Colm Meaney): A politically connected Irishman in Boston who exploits Joseph as a bare-knuckle boxer.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joseph: “I think I’ll go kill the bloke who took my land.” – Joseph, fueled by anger and a sense of injustice, declares his intention after his family’s land is seized.
• Shannon: “It wasn’t a ribbon that stabbed you in the leg.” – Shannon reminds Joseph that she saved him, referencing the incident where she stabbed him to help him escape the duel.
• Shannon: “This is my life! My life! I will live it modern.” – Shannon expresses her desire to break free from societal expectations and live a modern life in America.
• Joseph: “Without you, the land means nothing.” – Joseph, near death, confesses that his love for Shannon is more important than his dream of owning land.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $58,883,840
• Worldwide Gross: $137,783,840

💥 Far and Away Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I admit it, I have a soft spot for this movie! Sure, Tom Cruise’s Irish accent is…questionable, but the sheer scale of the film and the sweeping romance just gets to me. I loved the Boston scenes, so gritty and real, and the land rush is still one of the most epic things I’ve ever seen on film. Maybe it’s a bit cheesy, but it’s the kind of cheese I enjoy with a big glass of wine. And watching Tom and Nicole fall in love on screen added another layer of enjoyment. I’ll keep watching this one again and again!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Those interested in immigrant stories”
  • “Viewers who enjoy romance films”
  • “People who like epics with sweeping landscapes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence (including bare-knuckle fighting and gun violence)”
  • “Brief partial nudity”
  • “Some thematic elements relating to class conflict and historical hardship”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Far and Away boasts impressive visuals and strong performances from Cruise and Kidman, but its epic scope is undone by a predictable plot and uneven pacing. It’s a feast for the eyes, but lacks substance.
• Roger Ebert: “While the film is visually grand, the story is lacking in emotional depth and the chemistry between Cruise and Kidman feels forced. The historical context feels superficial, overshadowing the personal journey of the characters.
• Variety: “Ron Howard’s film is ambitious, but ultimately falls short due to a weak script and underdeveloped characters. The land rush sequence is visually stunning, but it can’t save the movie from its numerous flaws and predictable narrative beats.

Audience Reactions

The Oklahoma land rush scene is visually stunning and remains a memorable cinematic achievement.: Viewers often praise the film’s epic scope and the impressive recreation of the land rush.

Many viewers found Tom Cruise’s Irish accent distracting and unconvincing.: Some common criticisms are that the accents are poor and the plot is predictable and drawn out.

Overall Consensus: Far and Away is a visually impressive but flawed epic. It’s often praised for its ambition and scale, but criticized for its predictable plot, weak accents, and lack of emotional depth.

Awards

1. ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards (Top Box Office Films)- 1993

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The recreation of the Great Land Rush involved 800 extras, 400 horses, and 200 wagons. The extras were recruited from a reenactment society.”
• “Director Ron Howard used 70mm film to capture the beauty of Ireland, the grit of Boston, and the vastness of the Oklahoma prairie.”

🖥️ How to Watch Far and Away?

Far and Away is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service or digital retailer for current availability and pricing. DVD and Blu-ray copies are also widely available for purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Far and Away, you might like these similar films:

• Gangs of New York (2002): Depicts the harsh realities of Irish immigrant life in 19th-century America, with a focus on the struggles for survival and power in a gritty urban environment.
• The Quiet Man (1952): An idealized romantic vision of Ireland and Irish culture, focusing on themes of love, honor, and community, albeit with a very different tone and setting.
• Australia (2008): A sweeping romantic epic set against the backdrop of a historical event, featuring a strong female lead and a tale of love amidst hardship and adventure.
• News of the World (2020): Set in the American West, the film shows a man and a young girl forging their own path and finding their place in a time of transition.

🛒 Far and Away Related Products

• Far and Away (Blu-ray): Experience the epic adventure in stunning high-definition. Relive the romance and the land rush with improved picture and sound quality. Includes behind-the-scenes features.
• Far and Away Movie Poster: A vintage-style movie poster featuring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Perfect for collectors and fans to decorate their homes.
• Irish Immigrant Cookbook: Recipes from Far and Away: Experience the flavors of Ireland and early America with authentic recipes inspired by the film. From hearty stews to simple breads, discover the culinary traditions of Irish immigrants.
• Oklahoma Land Rush Board Game: A strategy board game where players compete to claim the best land in the Oklahoma Territory. Experience the excitement and challenges of the land rush, inspired by the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Far and Away features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Book of Days” – performed by Enya
• “Theme From Far and Away” – performed by John Williams
• “Joseph and Shannon” – performed by John Williams

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Enya Book Of Days – lyrics

Remember that breathtaking scene in the movie? Well, this is the song that made it unforgettable! The way the music accompanies the moment is just pure magic, take a look at it!

✨ Rate