This 1992 Hallmark Hall of Fame Production is based on the Willa Cather novel.  O Pioneers! is a classic novel for many, although its story is less familiar to those of us living in the big cities on either coast.

Jessica Lange stars as Alexandra Bergson.  At one time she had a romantic interest in a local boy named Carl (Portrayed by David Strathairn).  Carl left for the city to make his way while Alex stayed on the farm with her family.  He's kept in touch through the years, and the film opens with Alexandra receiving a letter from him as well as some paintings which bring back memories of how the bond between them formed in their youth.

As her father lay dying on their land, the young Alexandra promised to take care of her younger brothers.  The result is that she has essentially put her life on hold and built up the family’s farm.  Now as they are older, one brother has a family of his own and Alexandra is the de facto head of the family business.  The other brother, Emil (portrayed by Reed Diamond) has returned to work the farm and pines for a local girl, Marie (portrayed by Anne Heche) who is now married to someone else, and is Alexandra’s best friend.  The brothers see Carl’s return to her life as an intrusion and threat.

Alexandra has built her life on doing what’s right and expects no less from those around her, which is why she misses the signs of what’s developing between Emil and Marie.  In fact, Alexandra is one of those throwing them together time and again, yet she doesn’t see the situation.  She knows what behavior is acceptable in this regard and just expects those around her to follow suit.  At the same time, she managed to keep the family together and have them prosper by challenging the social values in regard to women and doesn’t see this clash in ideals.

Jessica Lange carries the film and does a great job.  She’s got the strength to carry the role and be a strong woman at a time when women weren’t expected to stand up for themselves to the men in society.  Her greatest battle, though, comes within her own family from the very people she’s spent her life dedicated to.  She lives through triumph and tragedy and shoulders the burdens without making excuses.  Some might not understand her actions, particularly near the end when she tries to help someone most people would feel contempt for.  However, she feels her shoulders bear a degree of the blame for the situation being what it is and doesn’t mind accepting her own degree of responsibility.

David Strathairn is one of my favorite actors, but I wasn’t sure what to make of him here.  Part of it has to do with the way Carl was written.  He’s something of a sensitive sort which makes it hard to believe him going out into the world away from the comforts of what he grew up with while at the same time this explains why he finally returns home. His performance here is very subdues but I think that’s what they were going for with Carl.

The real surprise in the story is Anne Heche.  I always thought she got as far as she did by using publicity to bolster her career, but she actually gives a terrific performance as Marie.  She’s really more the mirror for what happens to Emil but Heche is fairly memorable and brings what could be a one-dimensional role to life.

The DVD doesn’t have any real extras on it.  The production values are excellent and the cinematography is beautiful.  This was filmed in and around Nebraska where Willa Cather lived, so it captures the essence of the battle with the land that Cather saw herself.

This production of O Pioneers! is pretty good.  It might not be the traditional western many go looking for, but it’s not exactly a women’s film either.  There’s a lot here to like, particularly the performances of the women in the film.  I was a bit disappointed with Strathairn, but I think that has more to do with how Carl was written and trying to get a grasp on him with limited screen time compared to the other stories.  Otherwise, this is very well done.


SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Production Notes
• Cast & Credits
• Biographies



© 2009 Patti Aliventi

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD