The tone at the beginning of the film is light and even bright, with young Joseph running freely on a vast grassland. He probably didn't expect that this piece of paradise that belonged to him would be forcibly occupied by the landlord class, nor did he expect that he would lose his homeland and encounter a series of accidents. Young Joseph was a little playful and even ignorant, but his father's dying words touched him deeply, and he probably realized that he could no longer fall like that. So he rode on a donkey and embarked on a journey to return to the land amid many jeers. The land became the support for his beliefs. This almost silly persistence also laid the foundation for the film.
In general, the film seems to promote a kind of national sentiment, a kind of persistent guarding of the homeland. The westward movement is indeed a grand epic in American history. The fervent pursuit of land has made most immigrants pour into the western United States to pursue the dream land. Joseph's original concept represented the national sentiments of the majority of Irish people. Facing the influx of immigrants, he desperately maintained his national plot and was reluctant to leave his homeland. Finally, in order to escape, he had to embark on a ship bound for the United States to explore new lands. This also shows that with the unfolding of the Industrial Revolution, the world is gradually connected as a whole.
However, under the rendering of this grand historical trend, the simple and profound love between Joseph and Shanon in the film has become another unique highlight of the film. Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were both young at the time, and perhaps their acting experience was not that rich. But the young people's youthful love is so real. The ambition to pursue the land is great, but this seemingly small but unforgettable love is a strong support.
An accidental and accidental acquaintance made the landowner's daughter, Shanon, remember the poor boy Joseph who was begging for land by himself. However, Joseph accidentally wounded himself when he shot and accidentally moved into the Shannon house. The rich girl, Shanon, is curious about this poor guy. She represents the new generation who dare to break through feudalism and pursue their own ideals. This is also the era of alternating conflict between old and new ideas. A typical representative among young people who dream. Shanon dares to break through the shackles of feudal dogma, does not want to become a victim of the feudal system, and is eager to pursue a piece of land that belongs to him. When she whispered her thoughts to Joseph and encouraged Joseph to join her, she was ridiculed by Joseph with disdain. The difference in his own growth environment resulted in two different concepts. Perhaps in Joseph's eyes, sticking to the land showed his love for his hometown.
An unexpected escape led to two people being strangely together. In the decisive battle between Joseph and Stephen, Shanon drove a galloping carriage and saved Joseph's life. However, this also led to the growth of the relationship between the two. In Joseph's heart, this proud and arrogant rich girl suddenly became friendly. On the ship that set foot on the United States, the conversation between the two and others also revealed all kinds of longings for the magical territory of the United States. In the country that has yet to be developed, how much land can be occupied? This seemingly distant dream is getting closer. Although Shanon and Joseph have very different identities, their dreams gradually brought them together.
After Boston disembarks, Sanon's only valuable item, a silver spoon, is stolen, which unexpectedly binds the fates of two young men who were about to be separated. In order to go to the west to find the ideal fertile soil, the two began to work hard to earn money. It also made Sha Nong, a wealthy girl who has no worries about food and clothing, gradually understand the hardships of the bottom society. She also tried to fit herself into this life. The relationship between the two is also gradually growing bit by bit. The lovely image of Shanon also remained in Joseph's heart for a long time and could not be erased. While chasing after the vastness of the land, the two also have the personal feelings of their own beautiful feelings. In this grand historical trend, this feeling is even more sincere.
Although the film has a strong sense of history, it is more fresh and simple under the rendering of personal feelings. Maybe Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman's acting skills were not so outstanding at that time, but they vividly interpret the unique ignorance and greenness of young people. In the face of dreams and personal feelings, they face difficult choices to choose. At the end of the film, the two meet again on the westward road, perhaps this is also fate. In the competition for land in the west, Shanon gave Joseph more support and encouragement. Even if there were not many words, a look of trust was enough to explain everything. Nationalism gave Joseph the firm belief that as long as he worked hard, he would be able to win his land. Let him, a young man from Ireland, have his own foothold in the United States.
In this vast land of the western United States, there are two young people's dreams and passions, and their dreams come true. In the search with hard work and sweat, they found their dream home with fertile soil and rich rivers. Joseph's return to life seems to mirror his father's past, with the dream of the land supporting him. The laughter and tears of two Irish young men with dreams and daring to fight spread across the vast and inclusive land of the American West.
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