Sweet Land

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Sweet Land

PG

2005

1h 50m

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

72 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

When Inge Altenberg (Elizabeth Reaser), a young German woman, arrives in rural Minnesota, she meets Norwegian farmer Olaf Torvik (Tim Guinee), a fellow immigrant. Olaf's parents in Norway have arranged for the two to marry, but problems arise when she doesn't have the proper papers. Despite being unwed, the couple lives and farms together, causing a rift with their community. In the face of considerable hardship, Inge and Olaf toil away and grow closer in the process.

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Critics Consensus

Finding the right balance between subtle and sentimental, Sweet Land moves beyond other similarly-themed dramas with evocative cinematography that plays an equal role to the talented cast.

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

Metro Newspaper (UK)

09/05/2008

3/5

The flashback structure adds nothing but length to an already awkward mix of humanist-socialist parable and gently halting love story that's been sat on a shelf since 2005. But even so, it's a surprisingly sweet little treat.

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Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

09/05/2008

4/5

At once epic and intimate, Sweet Land offers a stirring account of love and hardship which, aside from a muffed Capra moment towards the end, hardly puts a foot wrong.

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Martin Hoyle

Financial Times

09/05/2008

Nostalgic, gentle, loving: the elegiac mood set against endless rural space inevitably suggests Malick's Days of Heaven. What next from this considerable talent?

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Al Alexander

The Patriot Ledger

05/25/2013

A-

Ali Selim's visual masterpiece recalls the stark artistry of Terrence Malick and Western lyricism of Larry McMurtry, as it turns every frame into a picture postcard of stunning beauty.

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Brian Orndorf

BrianOrndorf.com

12/28/2009

A

Exceptionally photographed and remarkably performed by actors Tim Guinee and Elizabeth Reaser, Sweet Land is modest, but demonstrative, eager to detail a love story that sustains for a lifetime.

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Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

09/15/2008

3.5/5

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Ambior S

@RT11372444 Jul 1

Beautiful, thoughtful, a genuine piece of the American experience—I loved the cinematography, the acting, and the portrayal of Minnesota’s Norwegian farming culture in the early 1900s. But I also appreciated shining the light on the darker aspects of American society—-the fear of immigrants, the greed and heartlessness that can take over capitalism, and when religion puts up walls forsaking compassion for rigid rule following. So glad I found this gem, and I hope others discover it too.

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Frans B

@FransB Jun 21

Brilliant! Very well written and directed. Amazing cinematography paints the perfect picture. Whole cast excels in character. Based on true events makes it even more impactful. Us humans can be very cruel, but persistence, honesty and just pure will does endure. A real gem of a movie. Filled with emotions, prejudice, drama, suspense, frustration, small-mindedness, intrigue, human resilience and social acceptance. Truly an epic masterpiece

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Stephen C

@bob25009 07/22/2025

Romantic in 1 hour and 50 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG for Brief Partial Nudity and Mild Language!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $1,700,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy 20th anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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John P

@jpyshny 11/12/2023

Wonderful story!! The hard life of the immigrant farmer, hate, discrimination, smallmindness. And love shines through. Today we cannot Imagine life on a farm in the early 1900's. Incredible cinematography, writing, and acting. Don't miss this one.

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02/20/2023

This is an amazingly good movie with a awesome story and even though it is a little slow at times, I was still recommend it, James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas, February 19, 2023

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jill l

@RT04909703 02/09/2022

Nice. Prejudice. Conflict. Love. Changes of heart. Captivating. Great acting and production values. I liked the way they organized the storytelling.

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Ali Selim

Director

Elizabeth Reaser

Inge Ottenberg

Tim Guinee

Olaf

Alan Cumming

Frandsen

Lois Smith

Old Inge

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Synopsis

When Inge Altenberg (Elizabeth Reaser), a young German woman, arrives in rural Minnesota, she meets Norwegian farmer Olaf Torvik (Tim Guinee), a fellow immigrant. Olaf's parents in Norway have arranged for the two to marry, but problems arise when she doesn't have the proper papers. Despite being unwed, the couple lives and farms together, causing a rift with their community. In the face of considerable hardship, Inge and Olaf toil away and grow closer in the process.

Director: Ali Selim
Producer: Ali Selim, Alan Cumming
Screenwriter: Ali Selim
Production Co: LasalleHolland
Rating: PG (Brief Partial Nudity|Mild Language)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 13, 2006
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 3, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.7M
Runtime: 1h 50m