Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Far and Away Blu-ray Movie Review

Way Out West.

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 8, 2014

Although other films have made the attempt to master the same moves as epic cinema of old, 1992’s “Far and Away” was perhaps the last effort to come the closest to a David Lean-style spectacle without employing sizable help from CGI. Director Ron Howard’s throwback feature doesn’t achieve iconic status, but it’s fine entertainment overall, exploring a classic tale of immigration and desire, set against the backdrop of the American Dream. Even with a few hiccups in storytelling, the production satisfies a sizable amount of its goals, hitting beats of romance and tragedy while stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman bring reassuring star power to the picture, allowing Howard to find his sense of sweep as the movie makes its way to a wonderfully widescreen conclusion.

Facing eviction and humiliation at the hands of his landlord, Irishman Joseph Donnelly (Tom Cruise) is hunting for revenge. What he actually finds is the company of Shannon Christie (Nicole Kidman), a privileged young woman fearing a stifled life in Ireland with suitor Stephen (Thomas Gibson). Escaping to America, the twosome discovers a young land offering limited opportunities, forcing them to fight to survive, with Joseph taking to bare-knuckle boxing as a means of financial support. While their struggles are monumental, almost killing them, Joseph and Shannon develop an unexpected bond that blossoms into romance, soon put to the ultimate test when an opportunity to enter the Oklahoma Territory Land Run of 1893 arrives, placing their dreams within reach.

Channeling the filmmaking of his youth, Howard aims for grand spectacle with “Far and Away,” endeavoring to make sense of the epic movie genre while stuck in the 1990s, where such interest in the expansive and expensive was going out of style. To help achieve his vision, Howard and screenwriter Bob Dolman select the ultimate story of growth to feed such big screen daydreams, tracking the plight of two Irish immigrants as they seek out the American Dream, only to find incredible hardship in a land they imagined was void of such trials. Perhaps the set-up is too easy for the production, yet Howard finds a welcome sense of location and true streetwise grit, establishing these characters with distinct temperaments and interests, keeping them away from the extended rube routine to make their Boston baptism less about suffering and more about hasty acts of survival, with Joseph turning to the power of his fists to make money, while Shannon sheds her itchy aristocratic comfort, blending in with the locals as her cynicism hardens around the poverty class.

Truthfully, Howard seems like he’s having a ball on Universal’s dime, staging enormous moments of movement and chaos, really digging into the potential of the production. With its slanted Irish homesteads, sweaty saloon interiors, and vast western expanse, “Far and Away” lives up to its title.

As Howard works out his influences, including the films of John Ford, “Far and Away” grows immensely appealing, with Cruise and Kidman skilled at finding the heart of their characters. They share obvious chemistry despite disparate appearances, and their banter is amusing if not completely charming. The script takes one too many pit stops with the couple, never shy to keep matters on a tragic routine of setbacks and disasters, but the pairing is pleasurable, with Kidman looking especially period-appropriate in flowery costuming and frizzy hair. Cruise is a little harder to swallow as an Irishman, boasting a forceful Lucky Charms accent. However, his fist-first commitment to the brutality of the character keeps attention away from the specifics of the performance, peaking in a lovably goofy scene where Joseph, bubbling over with sexual frustration after sharing a room with Shannon, sprints off into the night, ready to pound the stuffing out of anyone who dares challenge him. It’s a not a technical piece of work, but it clicks on a visceral scale, feeling the burn of a guy who can’t catch a break or acquire permission to feel up his traveling companion. The duo, married at the time, is fantastic, bringing real joy to the work.

Howard captures the movement of time as “Far and Away” is divided into three distinct acts. Working through Irish rage and Boston woes, the story eventually finds its way to the Oklahoma Territory, setting up a doozy of a climax that spotlights the Land Run of 1893, where packs of motivated immigrants raced for free land, battle the elements and one another to claim their acreage. The helmer finds bigness here, masterminding a climax that plays with traditional melodramatic twists and pure acceleration, capped with a soaring Enya end credit tune that fits the inspirational mood perfectly. There are plenty of ups and downs for Joseph and Shannon to endure as they hunt for their piece of the pie, dealing with crooks, parents, and their own thinly veiled feelings for each other, and Howard and Dolman don’t always have the greatest imagination for conflict. But the climax of “Far and Away” is a truly thrilling achievement, giving the effort a western lift mixed with a real emotional payoff.

Far and Away Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation reflects a traditional Universal Blu-ray effort. Using what looks to be an older master, the viewing experience doesn't bring out the vibrancy and texture of the feature, remaining merely serviceable when Howard's visuals deserve a fresh scan. While excessive DNR isn't found here, there is some mild filtering, with sporadic haloing and a throttling of filmic qualities. Fine detail isn't top-notch, but facial particulars have some texture, and the grime and grit of the Boston sequences carry dimension, while the expanse of the West is open for inspection. Colors are adequate, great with costuming and the naturalistic highlights of the outdoors, offering bold greens and blue skies. Skintones do register a tad flat at times, but largely remain stable. Black levels aren't overwhelmingly expressive, solidifying on occasion, especially with heavy fabrics and evening sequences. Excessive softness is present during nighttime adventures, but this is an intentional choice. Considering my last viewing of the movie was on a non-anamorphic DVD, the BD is an obvious upgrade, but limitations remain for a feature that prides itself on visual potency.

Far and Away Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD sound mix doesn't have the verve an event film like this should bring to home theaters, but the basics are covered comfortably. Surrounds aren't utilized in full, keep calm for much of the picture, housing a few atmospheric impressions and scoring fullness. Directional activity is minimal at best. Dialogue exchanges are secure with a frontal crispness, maintaining accents and emotional speeds without distortion. Yes, even Cruise is intelligible. Crowd activity is nicely defined, with swells and nuances in good shape. Williams's score is agreeably preserved, retaining sharp instrumentation and feeling, reaching big at times while developing a deep sound and wide reach. Low-end isn't consistently active, but explosions and gunfire bring some boom, while the thunder of the land race is serviced with an appealing rumble.

Far and Away Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:56, SD) is included.

Far and Away Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Far and Away" endured its share of criticism during its initial release, with some dismissing the film as simplistic and derivative. Indeed, this isn't "Lawrence of Arabia," but the production has a hunger to reclaim the lost art of epic moviemaking, using boldly defined feelings and tensions to master a matinee atmosphere that's often a joy to watch take shape. "Far and Away" isn't for cynics, providing an authentic rush of experience that makes the effort feel huge, even when it details the smallest interests of the heart.