Far and Away

[Howard] has cast two actors -- Cruise and Nicole Kidman -- who simply do not have the scope or abilities to carry an epic. And he does not have a strong enough support team to fill in the gaps.

Far and Away... is the director's attempt to step into the cinematic shoes of directors John Ford and David Lean. And, certainly, he's stepped into something with this sprawling, old-fashioned melodrama.

A little irreverence and some revisionist strokes would have lent some welcome spice to this bland meat-and-potatoes serving of U.S. history.

What is a surprise is that Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman are almost entirely credible in their roles.

Howard's lifelong ambition to make a film about his Irish ancestry results in a light confection, full of sweeping overhead shots and predictable pulp-fiction intrigue.

This time the concept of TV-for-a-very-big-screen comes out silly.

Far and Away improves considerably once the action shifts to Boston...

There's something flat and unfulfilling about Far and Away, as though Mr. Howard bit off more than he could chew.

It is filled with characters willing to work, fight, pluck chickens and do anything to achieve their dream. Seldom will you find a film that portrays such values in positive terms.

A fun epic spectacle movie they don't make much today