A Thousand Acres 1997
"Best friends. Bitter rivals. Sisters."
In Jocelyn Moorhouse's 1997 drama *A Thousand Acres (1997)*, the quiet life of an Iowa farm family unravels when patriarch Larry Cook announces he's dividing his thousand-acre estate among his three daughters.
Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse
Cast
Michelle Pfeiffer
Rose Cook Lewis
Jessica Lange
Ginny Cook Smith
Jason Robards
Larry Cook
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Caroline Cook
Colin Firth
Jess Clark
Keith Carradine
Ty Smith
Kevin Anderson
Peter Lewis
Pat Hingle
Harold Clark
John Carroll Lynch
Ken LaSalle
Anne Pitoniak
Mary Livingstone
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *A Thousand Acres* (1997) about?
The film follows three sisters whose lives are upended when their father decides to divide his Iowa farm among them. As old wounds reopen, sibling bonds strain under the weight of hidden truths and unspoken grievances.
Who directed *A Thousand Acres*?
Jocelyn Moorhouse directed the film, bringing a sensitive touch to its exploration of family dynamics and rural life.
Who stars in *A Thousand Acres*?
The ensemble cast includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Jessica Lange, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jason Robards, Colin Firth, and Keith Carradine.
Is *A Thousand Acres* (1997) worth watching?
With its powerful performances and emotionally charged story, *A Thousand Acres* offers a compelling dive into family drama. While not a blockbuster, its themes of legacy and betrayal make it a thoughtful watch for drama enthusiasts.
How long is *A Thousand Acres*?
The film has a runtime of 105 minutes, allowing for a deep and immersive storytelling experience.
🎥 Trailer
About A Thousand Acres (1997) — A Farm's Legacy Unravels in a Family Drama
In Jocelyn Moorhouse's 1997 drama *A Thousand Acres (1997)*, the quiet life of an Iowa farm family unravels when patriarch Larry Cook announces he's dividing his thousand-acre estate among his three daughters. What begins as a hopeful gesture of love quickly curdles into resentment as long-buried secrets, sibling rivalries, and questions of loyalty resurface with brutal honesty. The film, adapted from Jane Smiley's Pulitzer-winning novel, transforms pastoral beauty into a haunting backdrop for personal devastation, blending family drama with themes of inheritance, power, and the fractures beneath rural prosperity.
Starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Jessica Lange, and Jennifer Jason Leigh as the Cook sisters—Ginny, Rose, and Caroline—this emotionally charged narrative explores how past betrayals and unresolved grief can poison even the most sacred bonds. With a tone that oscillates between serene Midwestern landscapes and simmering domestic strife, *A Thousand Acres (1997)* lingers as a poignant meditation on love's fragility and the weight of legacy.
