Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- sweeping
- earnest
- romantic
- period romance night
- epic movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film handsome and amiably performed, but overly simplistic, leisurely, and lacking dramatic urgency.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Joseph and Shannon leave Ireland to pursue land ownership through the Oklahoma land giveaway and repeatedly rebuild after economic setbacks.
The Oklahoma land rush, open plains, boxing crowds, and harsh winter environments are presented as major visual set pieces.
Joseph elopes with landlord's daughter Shannon while her wealthy parents pursue them to reclaim her and restore the social order.
The film combines separation, poverty, betrayal, family pursuit, physical struggle, and renewed hope in a broad classical register.
Films like Far and Away, and why
The Last of the Mohicans
shared sweeping period romance, frontier ambition, and old-fashioned melodramatic adventure
Legends of the Fall
shared epic historical romance, widescreen landscapes, and emotionally direct storytelling
Australia
shared western setting, immigrant striving, romance, and expansive classical filmmaking
Movie Details
- Director
- Ron Howard
- Release Date
- 1992-05-22
- Runtime
- 140 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (1355)
Cast
- Tom Cruise
- Nicole Kidman
- Thomas Gibson
- Robert Prosky
- Barbara Babcock
- Cyril Cusack
- Eileen Pollock
- Colm Meaney
- Douglas Gillison
- Michelle Johnson
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Far and Away about?
- An Irish runaway couple crosses the Atlantic to chase land, love, and self-made freedom on the American frontier.
- What is Far and Away like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Far and Away as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Far and Away violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Far and Away as mild.
- What did critics think of Far and Away?
- Critics broadly found the film handsome and amiably performed, but overly simplistic, leisurely, and lacking dramatic urgency.
- Which films are like Far and Away?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last of the Mohicans, Legends of the Fall, and Australia.
- How long is Far and Away?
- Far and Away runs 140 minutes.
- Where can I watch Far and Away?
- In United States, Far and Away is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
