A Thousand Acres

Last Updated on: October 18th, 2023

Here is everything you need to know about the amazing movie A Thousand Acres including casting, reviews, fun facts and more. I hope you find this listing informative and helpful!

A Thousand Acres Description

A Thousand Acres (Touchstone Movie)

“A Thousand Acres” is a drama film released in 1997, directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse. The movie is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Jane Smiley.

The story is set in the American Midwest and revolves around the lives of three sisters – Ginny (Jessica Lange), Rose (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Caroline (Jennifer Jason Leigh) – who live and work on their family’s thousand-acre farm.

The sisters’ lives are deeply intertwined with the family patriarch, Larry Cook (Jason Robards), a hardworking and dominant figure who owns the farm. When Larry decides to retire and hand over the farm to his daughters, it sets in motion a chain of events that unravels long-buried secrets and family tensions.

As the sisters take on more responsibilities and face the challenges of running the farm, they confront issues of inheritance, sibling rivalry, and the emotional scars of their past.

The film delves into themes of family dynamics, female empowerment, and the impact of abuse and trauma on the lives of the characters. It portrays the complexity of relationships between the sisters and their father, exploring the ways in which their roles and identities are shaped by their past experiences.

The performances of the ensemble cast are widely praised, particularly those of Jessica Lange and Michelle Pfeiffer, who bring depth and nuance to their roles as the conflicted sisters.

“Thousand Acres” received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, with some praising its performances and emotional depth, while others found fault with its pacing and adaptation of the source material.

Nevertheless, the film remains a touchstone for viewers who appreciate intimate family dramas and character-driven storytelling. It offers a compelling exploration of complex family relationships, personal growth, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.




A Thousand Acres Cast
  • Michelle Pfeiffer: Rose Cook Lewis
  • Jessica Lange: Ginny Cook Smith
  • Jason Robards: Larry Cook
  • Jennifer Jason Leigh: Caroline Cook
  • Colin Firth: Jess Clark
  • Keith Carradine: Ty Smith
  • Kevin Anderson: Peter Lewis
  • Pat Hingle: Harold Clark
  • John Carroll Lynch: Ken LaSalle
  • Anne Pitoniak: Mary Livingstone
  • Vyto Ruginis: Charles Carter
  • Michelle Williams: Pammy
  • Elisabeth Moss: Linda
  • Ray Toler: Marv Carson
  • Kenneth Tigar: Doctor
  • Steve Key: Loren Clark
  • Dan Conway: Henry Dodge
  • Stan Cahill: Frank
  • Ray Baker: Wallace Crockett
  • Beth Grant: Roberta
  • Andrea Nittoli: Waitress


A Thousand Acres Crew
  • Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse
  • Producers: Marc Abraham and Thomas Bliss
  • Screenplay: Laura Jones



Additional Details


A Thousand Acres Trailer:




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I am founder and editor of DisneyNews.us. My passion for all things Disney goes pretty far back to my first trip to Walt Disney World in the mid-80's. I have since returned to the magical place more than 20 times. I started this site when I came to the realization that I spent a significant portion of my day reading articles about Disney and watching Disney content with my 8-year old, so it made sense that I would start sharing some of what I read and see and building a little community around it. Other interests include 80's nostalgia, vintage toys, video games, LEGO, Star Wars and tech gadgets. Other sites include DMR and VideoGamesStats.com.