Willa Cather's novel "My Antonia" captures the pioneering spirit in America as the country began expanding. The life in the prairie was told in great detail by Ms. Cather. With "My Antonia", she gave us a look what it was like to be a settler in a strange land where everything seems to go against you.
This film, which was shown recently on cable, had a look of a movie made for television. As directed by Joseph Sargent, who has worked extensively in that medium, the movie takes us back to the Nebraska that Ms. Cather wrote about.
We are shown two different families living in the Nebraska of the last part of the XIX century. The Burdens, who evidently have been around for quite a while, are seen in sharp contrast with the immigrating Shemardas, who came from Bohemia. The Burdens have taken roots in their land whereas the Shemardas are trying to make a living in their property, without much success. Jimmy Burden likes Antonia, the young woman who is his neighbor. They form a bond that seems to be sealed, but life intervenes. Jimmy can never make his mind about the love he feels for Antonia and destiny never let them consummate that love. At the end, we watch as Jimmy goes back to visit Antonia, who has her own family and appears to have made it, after all.
Elina Lowensohn makes an impression with her Antonia. This actress should be seen more often. She is always an interesting figure in whatever film she is in. Neil Patrick Harris was a product of television. As such, he is at a disadvantage playing opposite Ms. Lowensohn. Besides, he doesn't seem to register much emotion. Mr. Harris has been doing theater lately, which might help him in the acting department. Jason Robards Jr. and Eva Marie Saint play the older Burdens, and Anne Tremko is fine as the Swedish beauty, Lena.
We would recommend to read Ms. Cather's novel, which is a fine piece of work in the American literature.
This film, which was shown recently on cable, had a look of a movie made for television. As directed by Joseph Sargent, who has worked extensively in that medium, the movie takes us back to the Nebraska that Ms. Cather wrote about.
We are shown two different families living in the Nebraska of the last part of the XIX century. The Burdens, who evidently have been around for quite a while, are seen in sharp contrast with the immigrating Shemardas, who came from Bohemia. The Burdens have taken roots in their land whereas the Shemardas are trying to make a living in their property, without much success. Jimmy Burden likes Antonia, the young woman who is his neighbor. They form a bond that seems to be sealed, but life intervenes. Jimmy can never make his mind about the love he feels for Antonia and destiny never let them consummate that love. At the end, we watch as Jimmy goes back to visit Antonia, who has her own family and appears to have made it, after all.
Elina Lowensohn makes an impression with her Antonia. This actress should be seen more often. She is always an interesting figure in whatever film she is in. Neil Patrick Harris was a product of television. As such, he is at a disadvantage playing opposite Ms. Lowensohn. Besides, he doesn't seem to register much emotion. Mr. Harris has been doing theater lately, which might help him in the acting department. Jason Robards Jr. and Eva Marie Saint play the older Burdens, and Anne Tremko is fine as the Swedish beauty, Lena.
We would recommend to read Ms. Cather's novel, which is a fine piece of work in the American literature.