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Sweet Land: A Tender Picture of LoveWith Stephen Pelinski, Lois Smith, Elizabeth Reaser and Tim Guinee
A touching, simple story of love, "Sweet Land" stands alone among any recent film's attempt to define such an emotion.
Lars Torvik’s (Stephen Pelinski) beloved grandmother Inge (Lois Smith) has died, leaving him to decide what to do with his grandparents’ Minnesota property. As he goes over the possibilities, he remembers the stories Inge told him of how she came to Minnesota and how she came to love her husband, Olaf. Lars retreats back into memory until he reaches the 1920’s, just after the war with Germany has receded. Inge Altenberg (Elizabeth Reaser), a mail-order bride from Norway, arrives in Minnesota with her indispensable Victrola, to marry Norwegian farmer, Olaf Torvik (Tim Guinee). She speaks barely any English and without knowing, reveals to the church community before her wedding that she is in fact German, not Norwegian. Besides this ‘horrifying’ fact, the town minister (John Heard) refuses to marry the couple because she has no papers and knows no English. Inge Comes into Her OwnFrustrated and adrift, Inge stays with Olaf’s good-natured friend and neighbor Frandsen (Alan Cumming) and his confident wife Brownie (Alex Kingston). Slowly, Inge learns English and the way of life a farmer has to experience to survive. Bold and independent, Inge leaves Frandsen’s home to live with Olaf, despite the shock and disapproval of the town. Unable to marry, they live together, but apart -- he in the barn, she in the house. It isn’t the close quarters or the daring at such disobedience that brings Inge and Olaf together. They are two very different people and there are consequences to their actions. Olaf is cast out of the church, leaving only Inge to help him with his acres of harvest. Under the wide open sky, they grow to understand each other by working together. Olaf’s quiet exterior hides a fierce devotion to his friends and it is soon obvious that when he loves, he loves deeply. Inge’s audacious personality constantly challenges him. At one point she asks, “Dreams yes, you have?” to which he responds, “I have work. I don’t have dreams.” She replies with a cry of aggravation that frightens, and intrigues Olaf. Facing AdversityFrandsen’s farm is threatened by foreclosure just before the harvest and though they pledge to pay, they are only given one month. The month soon passes and Inge and Olaf stumble across the auction of Frandsen’s home. Olaf stares with grim determination and pledges more money than he has, but still, saves the property. Inge and Olaf work together, learning from each other and putting aside their differences to bring in acres of harvest by themselves. Eventually, the town rallies around the couple and accepts them, but Olaf and Inge don’t need their acceptance. What is Real?When confronted by the minister about their cohabitation, Inge tells him that despite her lack of papers and an official marriage, she is married to Olaf in her heart. The Minister replies, “That’s not enough, Inge . . .It has to be real.” She answers, “You believe God?” Stunning cinematography, beautiful acting and a poignant, moving script truly make this film a classic. Reminiscent of the old days of simple, but powerful films, “Sweet Land” is a love story that should be seen and taken to heart.
The copyright of the article Sweet Land: A Tender Picture of Love in Independent Films is owned by Sarah F. Sorensen. Permission to republish Sweet Land: A Tender Picture of Love in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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