Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

Country Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 19, 2018

Responding to the growing crisis in the farmlands of America during the 1980s, Hollywood tried to identify the pressure put on farmers to protect their lands from predatory banking practices built on unrealistic business expectations. While the subject matter was timely and critical of government agriculture policies, stories of family upheaval and financial disaster also provided premium drama, offering filmmakers a chance to delve into rural lives that are rarely defined in full. In 1984 there was “The River,” with Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek, and “Country,” which gifted Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard a chance to stretch by portraying a farming couple suddenly under siege by threats of foreclosure and a loss of their way of life. Scripted by William D. Wittliff (“Legends of the Fall,” “Barbarosa”), “Country” pushes as far as it can with its bleak observance of failure and humiliation, trying to remain communicative about the human spirit while taking the central crisis as serious as a Disney production can. It’s not a cheery viewing experience, but Wittliff grasps the hardscrabble living experience and household tensions, while Lange and Shepard deliver some of their finest work in showy but sincere roles that depict the death of the American Dream.

In the middle of Iowa, Gil (Sam Shepard) and Jewel Ivy (Jessica Lange) own 180 acres of farmland they spend every waking minute tending to, joined by her father, Otis (Wilford Brimley) and their three children, including teen Carlisle (Levi L. Knebel). While Jewel’s family has worked the land for over a century, Federal Housing Administration loans taken out a few years earlier have returned to haunt the Ivys, who are suddenly faced with $96,000 in debt they must repay in 30 days, or else foreclosure proceedings will begin. Blindsided by the news, Gil retreats into self- medication, drinking away his problems while picking fights with local FHA rep Tom (Matt Clark), eventually turning on his own family when the going gets tough. Unwilling to roll over and accept defeat, Jewel tries to battle unreasonable demands in her own way, struggling to keep her household together as she witnesses the crumbling of the community, with other farmers, such as neighbor Arlon (Jim Haynie), losing everything to the FHA after promising the locals a bright future.

How dark does “Country” get? Well, the movie opens with the Ivys suddenly hit by a tornado while out working the land, trying to stay inches ahead of a growing storm that’s hiding its knockout punch. Farm equipment is overturned, corn fields are battered, and poor Carlisle is buried under a mound of seed, nearly dying during the meteorological chaos. And somehow “Country” grows even bleaker from there, moving from nature’s wrath to government manipulation, with the Ivys growing aware that all is not well with their finances, facing sudden interest from the FHA, who divert money from their dwindling crop prices to pay off a massive loan. While a near-death experience is par for the course with the farmers, the FHA entanglement quickly claims dominance as a situation Gil and Jewel must pay attention to, or else they will lose everything they worked for.

Director Richard Pearce maintains a stark look at the world of “Country,” maintaining a seasonal atmosphere as the farm works through its yearly demands while money issues creep into view. There’s a grounded sense of living in the picture that’s compelling, with rural folk treated carefully by Wittliff, who delves into everyday life, including the discovery of the condom in Carlisle’s room (signifying newfound maturity), and there’s the saga of Arlon, an honest farmer who’s forced to fight with the FHA to keep what little he has left, while his oldest son is developmentally disabled. Gil and Jewel are a couple who love each other, trusting in the routine of the day as they tend to their responsibilities, and Wittliff does a fine job keeping melodrama out of “Country” for as long as possible, more interested in the “death by a thousand cuts” approach to detailing the loss of the Ivy farm, which begins with garnishment and soon escalates into talk of “voluntary liquidation,” finding Tom suddenly in charge of destroying dreams he once encouraged through salesmanship of dangerous loans and the allure of inflated land appraisals.

Pressure is applied on the Ivys with a 30-day notice to repay all debts. It’s a monetary amount that’s impossible to comprehend, taking the picture from shock to despair, watching as Gil handles stress with a bottle, trying to numb himself from brutal reminders of personal failure. It’s a sting of shame that carries throughout “Country,” which deals with Gil’s hopelessness with some care, getting to understand his confusion and powerlessness before unleashing him with violence toward those in charge and his own family. Jewel is more direct in her resentment, working to throttle foreclosure proceedings by shaking up the locals, even physically putting herself between the money men and the farm she’s desperate to protect. Shepard is strong as Gil, gracefully depicting a challenge to masculinity and marriage as the farmer struggles to find the energy to fight back, but this is truly Lange’s film (even receiving an Academy Award nomination for the role), with her fiery presence and articulation of anger as nuanced as possible for this type of production, making a credibly powerful woman out of Jewel, who turns her mama bear energy on those trying to destroy her life. It’s fantastic work from Lange, who keeps “Country” compelling and emotionally satisfying.

Country Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) encounters some source issues, including a steady display of speckling and the occasional mild scratch, but unusual visuals are present, including the periodic display of a faint, vertical black stripe that appears on the right side of the frame. It's an older master, lacking crisp definition, leading with softness that inhibits natural facial surfaces and set decoration, while farmland expanse is only acceptable, losing crispness on the horizon. Colors are functional but not remarkable, delivering satisfactory primaries on clothing and locations. Delineation handles adequately. Grain is slightly chunky. Judder is present from time to time.

Country Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix provides a basic listening experience for "Country," which is mostly tuned into dialogue exchanges, which retain their natural sound and contained agitation, avoiding distortive extremes. Scoring is capable but not fresh, offering dramatic support with fundamental instrumentation. Farmland atmospherics are acceptable, detailing open air and seasonal changes. Hiss is present throughout the listening event, varying in intensity.

Country Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Lee Gambin.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:00, SD) is included.

Country Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The third act of "Country" is problematic but not a deal-breaker, with the story eventually sliding into public auctions and economic ruin. The reality of this situation isn't pretty, but Wittliff appears to be under orders to leave the audience with something marginally hopeful, focusing on Jewel's refusal to bow down to the FHA overlords. It's a bit much for a production that's interested in realism when showcasing the plight of the American Farm, but Lange sells fury with skill and the general war cry of the feature is commendable, just not organic to the story it's attached to. Despite some dramatic slipups, "Country" gets to the heart of the issue with integrity, working as a time capsule for 1984 and a brutal reminder on how circular economic and political events are in 2018.