Country
Released October 1984
Starring Jessica Lange (as Jewell Ivy), Sam Shepard, Wilford Brimley, Levi Knebel, Matt Clark
Directed by Richard Pearce
109 min.Box office gross - 8.4 million
See complete credits at Internet Movie Database
Country was a project that concerned Jessica Lange at the time - the widespread foreclosures on farms during the early 1980’s and the effect that this had on the families who lived on them. Lange said “The part of Jewell Ivy was more familiar to me than any other part I’ve played. I drew from all my aunts in rural Minnesota. I wanted to convey the tremendous strength and tenacity of these women in balance with a heartbreaking vulnerability.”
The story concerns the Iowa family of Gil and Jewell Ivy who struggle to fight against the government bureaucracies who are threatening to foreclose on their farm and the farms of their neighbors. The ordeal sparks tension between Gil and Jewell, and Gil begins to lose hope and turns to drinking. Jewell remains strong and organizes the community to stand up for their land.
Country, although it failed at the box office, was widely admired by critics and was considered the best of the films that dealt with this issue. The cast was superb with Sam Shepard and Jessica Lange giving riveting performances. She would receive her third Oscar nomination for the role.