Depression and poverty. The age old subject of many stories. Given it is not very difficult to come up with negative aspects of life the story and the ultimate goal should rise above the occassion. Unfortunately, besides all ill fortune that lands upon the leading actors very little happens.
The vast majority of this film is just a setup for the eventual title reference. It is very unfortunate, as the part that is now left untold would have been probably much more interesting than the one that has been told so many times. Also, while this setup stirrs up some potential tragedies and drama between the dream (farm) and the reality (bank), these are mostly left unexplored.
However, what is the most lamenting fact is that the film is very claustrophobic. As if everything happens in a box where the walls constantly crawl closer. There is no feel of wide and unobstrucated praire where the wind whirls free. Camera does not pan and reveal the emptiness surrounding the characters. As the subject is nothing new, at least the few good clichés could have been picked from the presentation category.
Sadly, the vast emptiness is in the story and how it is being told. There is nothing that would attract a season viewer. There is very little that would inspire or motivate either, so perhaps these depressing stories that have very little color in them are better left untold.
