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Sweet Land

Play trailer Poster for Sweet Land PG 2005 1h 50m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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Sweet Land

Sweet Land

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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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Critics Reviews

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh Metro Newspaper (UK) Sep 5, 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. Go to Full Review Anthony Quinn Independent (UK) Sep 5, 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. Go to Full Review Martin Hoyle Financial Times Sep 5, 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? Go to Full Review Al Alexander The Patriot Ledger May 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. Go to Full Review Brian Orndorf BrianOrndorf.com Dec 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. Go to Full Review Jennie Kermode Eye for Film Sep 15, 2008
3.5/5
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Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 20, 2026 Sweet Land = a 4.5 star Movie! See more Ambior S @RT11372444 Jul 1, 2026 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. See more Frans B @FransB Jun 21, 2026 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 See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more John P @jpyshny Nov 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. See more Feb 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 See more Read all reviews
Sweet Land

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Cast & Crew

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Ali Selim

Director

Elizabeth Reaser

Inge Ottenberg

Tim Guinee

Olaf

Alan Cumming

Frandsen

Lois Smith

Old Inge

Ned Beatty

Harmo

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Sweet Land

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Movie Info

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
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