Details
Movie Description
Two brothers torch their father's once-thriving farm when the bank forecloses on it. They then flee on a cross-country odyssey that turns them into popular heroes.
Synopsis
In 1959, Nikita Khrushchev visits the Iowa farm of "average American farmer" Frank Roberts Sr. and his boys, Frank and Terry. Thirty years later, the sons fight an unsuccessful battle to save the farm that was once prosperous enough to earn their father the title "Farmer of the Year." Failing in their attempts, Frank convinces Terry to torch the farm as a protest to the foreclosing bank and then to join him on the run.
Film Notes
Directorial debut for Gary Sinise, a theater director and actor with roots in Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater Company. The cast includes many members of the company.
Both "Miles from Home" and Sean Penn's directorial debut, "Indian Runner," were partly based on the Bruce Springsteen song, "Highway Patrolman."
The Reagan '80s saw a number of films produced on a similar theme, that of the plight of small farmers struggling to preserve the family farm. These include, among others, "Places in the Heart" (1984, Robert Benton), "The River" (1984, Mark Rydell), and "Country" (1984, Richard Pearce).
Shot in Worthington and Cedar Rapids, Iowa; color by Deluxe.
Shooting began September 1, 1987; completed October 22, 1987.
Screened in competition at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival, the 1988 Toronto Film Festival of Festivals, and the 1988 Boston Film Festival.
Released in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago September 16, 1988. Released on video May 3, 1989.
Reviewed in the New York Times on September 16, 1988 and Monthly Film Bulletin August, 1989.
Rated BBFC 15 by the British Board of Film Censors.
Industry Reviews
"...This is a decent-hearted, well-intentioned, extremely well-acted movie..."
Los Angeles Times - Michael Wilmington (09/16/1988)
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