Sweet Land

This fine indie debut by writer-director Ali Selim wins my Truth in Titling award; it is indeed sweet and the land is indeed the dominant character. Making the absolute most of its tiny budget, the film recreates Norwegian immigrant life in 1920s Minnesota in a manner that is both believable and picturesque. Though there are some familiar faces in supporting roles (Alan Cumming, Ned Beatty, John Heard), the two leads were previously unknown to me. Elizabeth Reaser is beautiful and winning as the strong-willed mail order bride (like an unobnoxious Andie Macdowell), and Tim Guinee is stoic and hunky as the taciturn farmer for whom she is destined. Though utterly predictable every step of the way, this story of a slow-burning romance emerging from an arranged marriage still charms, with relevant subtexts of religion, xenophobia, and socialism. And it doesn’t hurt that this lovely film recalls two even better, particular favorites of mine: Terrence Malick’s Days of Heaven, and Jan Troell’s magnificent diptych, The Emigrants/The New Land, starring Liv Ullmann and Max von Sydow and still criminally unreleased on home video. Sweet Land is a little film that plays big, and is worth seeking out. (2006, dvd, n.) *7* (MC-75.)