1984 American drama film directed by Richard Pearce
Country is a 1984 American drama film which follows the trials and tribulations of a rural family as they struggle to hold on to their farm during the trying economic times experienced by family farms in 1980s America. The film was written by William D. Wittliff, and stars real-life couple Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard. The film was directed by Richard Pearce, and was shot on location in Dunkerton and Readlyn Iowa, and at Burbank's Walt Disney Studios.
Lange, who also co-produced the film, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe award for her role.
Then-U.S. president Ronald Reagan stated in his personal diary that this film "was a blatant propaganda message against our agri programs".[2] Some members of the U.S. Congress took the film so seriously that Jessica Lange was brought before a congressional panel to testify as an expert about living on family farms.[3]
Country was one of three 1984 films, along with The River and Places in the Heart, that dealt with the perspective of family farm life "struggles."[4]
Plot
Jewell and Gil Ivy never anticipated the difficulty they would face with their corn harvest on their Iowa farm. But as they worked through the night to save as much corn as they could before a violent storm arrived, they felt comforted to have the help from Jewell's father, Otis and their eldest son, Carlisle. Marlene was stationed at the house with baby Missy. The following day at the grain elevator, Gil was astonished to find his name on the Farmer's Home Administration list. According to this federal program, the entire grain payment must be signed over to the government, which put into question Gil's ability to pay of his other expenses. When he inquired about the change in policy, the Farmer's Home Administration official Fordyce and the local representative, Tom McMullen, offered little resolution. Suddenly, Gil and Jewell found themselves in a very difficult situation, when McMullen informed them that their current net worth was not high enough to support their loan debt and urged them to sell off some assets. It looked like their dream of a successful corn harvest was quickly turning into a nightmare.
Gil Ivy is furious that the Farmer's Home Administration fails to uphold the values of farming as a lifestyle and not just as a business. In order to keep the farm going, Jewell Ivy must stay up late to sort through the book keeping and figure out that the Ivys' need to make seventy-three cents more per bushel in order to justify the costs. Despite Gil's dismissive attitude towards an auctioneer who calls them, he starts to prepare their equipment for sale. An urgent letter from the Farmer's Home Administration suddenly arrives demanding that the family must pay back all loans totaling $96,000 in 30 days or the land will be up for grabs. Jewell is distraught at the prospect of selling off land that has been in her family for generations while Gil becomes easily angered and frustrated with his children. When the family goes to their local bank, they find a sympathetic bank officer who is aware of how productive the Ivy farm is, yet is unable to do much as his branch is now part of a large corporate chain. Other plants in the area are not the lucky ones as neighbor Arlon Brewer faces foreclosure and attempts to hide some of his sheep on the Ivy's farm, however the Farmer's Home Administration agent quickly recovers the flock.
At the local bar, Gil confronts McMullen and complains that government officials like him once encouraged farmers to expand and feed the world but now it is impossible to get a fair price for their crops due to the policies of the American government. Gil's disillusionment with the situation and failed attempts to make a profit drives him to call in an auctioneer to inventory his equipment to sell in order to stay afloat. Otis, Gil's father-in-law, is dismayed at the idea of selling the horse harness, an item he considers a family heirloom. The elderly man begrudgingly agrees, but reminds his daughter, Jewell, that he never lost ownership of the farm, despite the challenges they faced, and believes Gil mismanaged the Farmer's Home Administration loan. To add to these woes, Arlon Brewer, a fellow farmer, commits suicide, leaving behind a wife and mentally handicapped son. This tragedy in addition to the consequences caused by Farmer's Home Administration policies leads to Tom McMullen resigning from his job at the Farmer's Home Administration. These events cause Gil to become increasingly withdrawn and one day he arrives home intoxicated and gets into a fight with his son. Jewell intervenes in the scuffle and orders Gil to leave. That night, Jewell sits her children around the dinner table and does her best to reassure them, all the while remaining resolutely determined to keep her family together and preserve her family's property.
Jewell had grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress she had made towards keeping her farm after her husband's passing. So when she found out that Marvin, the grain elevator operator, had a list of the names of those who had taken out a loan from the Farmer's Home Administration, she knew she had to act quickly. She asked Marvin for a favor to let her copy the names from the list. After much convincing, Marvin lent her a hand and Jewell had the list. Now, all she had to do was take the next step. Jewell made an announcement to every farmer in the area, urging them to gather together to confront the Farmer's Home Administration in an effort to keep their farms safe and sound. Though she had her supporters, many of the farmers were hesitant. They knew the Farmer's Home Administration's power and were fearful of the consequences of defiance. Jewell was determined, however, and she continued on with her plan for the big day.
On the day of the Ivy auction, it was a sight to behold. Scores upon scores of farmers filled the fields, standing in solidarity to oppose the Farmer's Home Administration and to protect the future of their farms. Refusing to bid on any items, the farmers yelled in unison, Fordyce soon realizing he was not getting any money from the auction, had to terminate the event before it even began. He reminded Jewell that stopping a government foreclosure was illegal and he would simply move the equipment to another auction site. Just when all hope seemed lost, Jewell's husband, Gil, arrived in time to witness the powerful act of resistance by his courageous wife and fellow farmers.
McMullen is there to witness the disappointment of the Ivys' and is eager to help in anyway he can. He suggests they file an appeal in court and the crowd reluctantly disperses. Jewell notices Gil hanging around the premises and quietly invites him inside the house. Jewell encourages Gil to speak to Carlisle, who had purchased the cherished harness during the auction and surprisingly returned it to his grandfather. Gil is embarrassed by his son's gesture but he apologizes never the less their fight. That night, in the privacy of their bedroom, Gil and Jewell begin to reconcile as Jewell wraps Gil in a warm embrace. Days later, a news report announced that a class action lawsuit by thousands of farmers across the U.S. had been successful in preventing further foreclosures by the Farmer's Home Administration until borrowers have a chance to apply for loan extensions. It was a miracle of sorts, and a result of the Ivys' courage and determination to save their farm.
