I first read about Richard Pearce's "Country" in a chronicle of the twentieth century; the look at 1984 in film mentioned it (as well as "Ghostbusters", "Beverly Hills Cop" and "This Is Spinal Tap"). I had been hoping to see it for a long time. Wilford Brimley's recent death gave me an extra incentive to do so, so I've finally seen it. More than anything, the movie addresses the hardships faced by family farms in the era of agribusiness. Reagan - the number one ally of agribusiness - called the movie "a blatant propaganda message against our agri programs", while Congress had Jessica Lange (nominated for an Oscar for this movie) testify about family farms.
It's a fine movie, if not a masterpiece. Another thing that should get addressed is food miles (how far food travels from the farm to the market). In the meantime, I do recommend the movie.
It's a fine movie, if not a masterpiece. Another thing that should get addressed is food miles (how far food travels from the farm to the market). In the meantime, I do recommend the movie.