By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 2.5 cats
Director: Ali Selim
Starring: Alan Cumming | Elizabeth Reaser | Tim Guinee
Country: united_states
Year: 2006
Running time: 110
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0428038/
Michael says: “This independent film has the feel of a studio picture, with a straight-forward narrative, that hits all the right moments and hammers them home. Basically a nostalgia piece, telling the tale of a young German woman who came to Minnesota in the 1920’s as part of an arranged marriage. The trouble is, everyone in rural Minnesota is expecting a young Norwegian woman, and the fact that Inge is German causes a few problems. But when Inge proves to her husband-to-be, and ultimately the rest of the town, that she is a hard worker who can turn the land and harvest the crops with the best of them, acceptance is not far behind. Some interesting flashbacks within flashbacks (the film opens in present day, stops in during the 1960’s, and rewinds back to the 20’s to tell the bulk of the story), strong acting, and lovely cinematography can’t overcome the awkwardness of the script, adapted from a short story. Alan Cumming can’t quite pull off the supporting role he is given. 2 1/2 cats”