A Jane Smiley novel, loosely based on Shakespeare's KING LEAR about the Cook family and its dark secrets. Director Moorhouse seems tamed in her approach, allowing the characters to step forward and take a bow. And how could you go wrong with the talents of Pfeiffer, Lange, Leigh, Firth, Carradine and Robards?

First of all,, super amazing performance by both lead actress (michele and jessica). they both made this movie very strong , powerful and emotional.

the only very LITTLE thing i didnt like is the ending, i really wished it could be a little happy or good. but it was really sad ending. because the movie missed few things LEFT at the end.

Anyhow very good drama movie with very good quality production with good cast.

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The few things which didnt explain or left in the movie is... the relationship of that man (jess), who is having sex with both sisters. and then there is really no explanation or scene of third sister. i mean the whole movie is about all three sisters. i really wished if they could add some scenes or story of third sister.

The last major flaw in the movie is also in the end, when one sister who is working in restaurant then her husband came and told her about her sister mentioned the whole daddy issues to village. if so ? then why the 3rd sister didnt heard this ?. or if she did then there should be a scene of all three sister would be together to talk about this.

I really wished in the end or atleast in the hospital that all 3 sister would be together .

A Thousand Acres (1997): Dir: Jacelyn Moorehouse / Cast: Michelle Pfeiffer, Jessica Lange, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jason Robards, Colin Firth: Drama regarding physical reference of structure and also the spanning of lives. A father leaves land to his three daughters in his will. His youngest daughter is an attorney who believes that he is making a mistake. His middle daughter remembers nights with incest and the desire for vengeance. The oldest cannot recollect these memories. When their father decides to take his land back, revenge becomes an option. Fine setup is reduced to predictable and unnecessary depression. Subplots dealing with incest, cancer and land settlements are poorly handled. Director Jacelyn Moorehouse does the best, and what works is the quality of the performances. While the resolution is hardly pleasant, it deals with a problem facing many households. Jessica Lange and Michelle Pfeiffer are at total odds yet supportive of one another, while Jennifer Jason Leigh is viewed as gullible when she defends her father. Jason Robards plays their cranky ill unpleasant father responsible for much heartache. Colin Firth plays a potential romantic element sighted by a couple of the women for a little crazy action. It is never fun to watch two daughters at odd with a parent as seen here but their pain is real or denied. Themes warrant reflection and understanding. Score: 7 / 10