Let me begin by saying that I'm a huge fan of the director Ramin Bahrani, who also co-wrote this film with Hallie Elizabeth Newton. I thought 3 of his previous films were brilliant-"Goodbye Solo", "Chop Shop", and "Man Push Cart". In this latest movie, he presents an intense drama played out in the farm heartland of America.
Dennis Quaid is superb as Henry Whipple, a rather smarmy, passive- aggressive owner of a huge and prosperous farm in Churdan, Iowa. He's extremely proud to be the latest in his family to run the farm passed down through four generations. He wants to pass it along to either of his two sons, preferably to Grant, the eldest, or to Dean the youngest. However, they have little interest in the farm, with Grant climbing mountains in Argentina while Dean, ably portrayed by Zac Efron, wants to be a NASCAR driver, after some success at local dirt tracks.
Henry is under a lot of pressure to maintain his status. His father Cliif (Red West), despite being retired, is quite controlling and always pushing Henry to make sure nothing goes wrong with the family business and their heritage. Also, a rival grain salesman Jim Johnson, well portrayed by Clancy Brown, is having success "turning" Henry's customers to his side. Finally, a whistleblower has alerted investigators that Henry may be involved in illegal activities, by cleaning and re-selling GMO's (genetically modified seeds).
All of this pressure will bring great strain on Henry's family, eventually leading to dramatic and tragic consequences for all concerned.
There's lots of strong performances in supporting roles. Maika Monroe, as Cadence Farrow, Dean's sweet and sharp witted girlfriend, has excellent screen charisma and could be a young star in the making. Kim Dickens is also solid in her performance as Irene Whipple, Henry's perhaps too patient and loving wife. Finally , Heather Graham adds to the mix as Meredith Crown, Henry's long time mistress.
I thought Bahrani captured the feel of the Iowan farm community quite well in the movie. I believe the film received lukewarm reviews, but, as mentioned, I found it to be an engrossing intense drama. I also thought the ending was true to the nature of the film and not a cop out, although I could see how others may not take it that way.
Dennis Quaid is superb as Henry Whipple, a rather smarmy, passive- aggressive owner of a huge and prosperous farm in Churdan, Iowa. He's extremely proud to be the latest in his family to run the farm passed down through four generations. He wants to pass it along to either of his two sons, preferably to Grant, the eldest, or to Dean the youngest. However, they have little interest in the farm, with Grant climbing mountains in Argentina while Dean, ably portrayed by Zac Efron, wants to be a NASCAR driver, after some success at local dirt tracks.
Henry is under a lot of pressure to maintain his status. His father Cliif (Red West), despite being retired, is quite controlling and always pushing Henry to make sure nothing goes wrong with the family business and their heritage. Also, a rival grain salesman Jim Johnson, well portrayed by Clancy Brown, is having success "turning" Henry's customers to his side. Finally, a whistleblower has alerted investigators that Henry may be involved in illegal activities, by cleaning and re-selling GMO's (genetically modified seeds).
All of this pressure will bring great strain on Henry's family, eventually leading to dramatic and tragic consequences for all concerned.
There's lots of strong performances in supporting roles. Maika Monroe, as Cadence Farrow, Dean's sweet and sharp witted girlfriend, has excellent screen charisma and could be a young star in the making. Kim Dickens is also solid in her performance as Irene Whipple, Henry's perhaps too patient and loving wife. Finally , Heather Graham adds to the mix as Meredith Crown, Henry's long time mistress.
I thought Bahrani captured the feel of the Iowan farm community quite well in the movie. I believe the film received lukewarm reviews, but, as mentioned, I found it to be an engrossing intense drama. I also thought the ending was true to the nature of the film and not a cop out, although I could see how others may not take it that way.