TILLAGE (Hugo of Spain)
Directed and Written by Gillian Armstrong
Main Cast:
Hugo Weaving … Henry Wells
Emily Watson … Mary Wells
Penn Badgley … Jack Wells
Meredith Hagner … Elizabeth Wells
Matthew Broderick … Uncle Geoffrey
Rob Lowe … Mr. Wilson
Tagline: “Raise the seed of hate”
Synopsis: 1931. Lake Park, Iowa.
The Wells farm was settled in the top of a small hill. It was a hard time. The Great Depression was crumbling the family’s economy. Henry (Weaving) always had a huge passion for his family and by no means would have he made his family go through bad times. Mary (Watson) was quite a woman. She was no sweet nor nice to anyone. Always cold and thinking. It was very difficult for her to trust anyone. Very distant and chary. Despite this things she loved her children. All her life she did nothing but try to make her children’s future better than her present.
Jack Wells’ (Badgley) future prospects weren’t ambitious at all. He just wanted to keep her father’s farm and establish his own family. Different story about Elizabeth (Hagner) though. Her real goal in life was to run away the farm and see herself becoming a talented writer but due to the bad situation they were living her drams had to wait. Uncle Geoffrey (Broderick), lived in New York. When his life fell apart in 1929 he headed to his brother’s farmer.
The summer hit Lake Park. It was a gold hot day when a great black car stopped in front of the farmer. Henry and Jack were working when they saw a man coming out the car. He wore a very classy suite and a great hat. Mr. Wilson was his name (Lowe). He wanted to talk to Henry in privacy. The issue was explained quickly. A road was to be made right over the Wells farm. Mr. Wilson offered a substantially huge amount of money and two days to think over it. Henry talked to his family and despite their opposition he made the deal.
Weeks later the works began but no money was delivered to the Wells. Henry call for it several times but it never came. Uncle Geoffrey took the justice into his own hands and assembled some other farmers to stop the works. An early win that led into the murder of Uncle Geoffrey one night near the lake.
Mr. Wilson assured that he had nothing to do with the death of Henry’s brother. The works began again. Time went by and no sing of payment were seeing by the Wells, now devastated by their relative’s death. One night Elizabeth went to Mr. Wilson’s office and overheard a conversation were Mr. Wilson told someone that he had, in fact, ordered the murder of Geoffrey Wells. Elizabeth ran away from there but Mr. Wilson reached her. After insult her and attack her, he finally raped her and as a consequence she became pregnant. She headed back home draging and knowing that all her dreams of becoming a famous writer were over.
Once Henry knew about this and fed up with the situation he went to Mr. Wilson’s office and shot him to death despite his wife opposition. The morning after Henry Wells was arrested by the police and Mary was left alone in the farm with her children. They kept the farm and lost their father.
Mary never left the farm again. Elizabeth had her child and when he became 16 she send him to the city so he could start his education. Jack married a girl from the village and he did have a family and his own farm. Henry died in prison some weeks after the incident at the age of 50.
Press Section: Australian director Gillian Armstrong hasn’t written a scrip for 34 years. Don’t let this incline you to think that it lacks quality. The story flows through the entire film thanks to the link that embraces it: the atmosphere. The entire film is shown to us in sepia. This gives the film this vintage spirit. The beauty of the countryside and the action dominates the word.
Hugo Weaving’s character is a hero by all means but his personality wont let you think of him as one. Henry Wells is very reserved and shy but his huge passion for his family makes him step in for them. Weaving’s work is excellent. He gave his character a touch of tenderness that contrasts heavily with his rudeness.
Emily Watson delivers little to any text in the film but you won’t need it. All what you need from Mary Wells is in her face. Watson’s corporal work is exceptional but this lack of text may left her aside once the awards season comes.
Different situation for Meredith Hagner, though. Her creation, Elizabeth Wells, is a strong woman, self-confident and brave. She has been given an incredible character. The scene where she is raped by Mr. Wilson is pure gold.
Matthew Broderick’s contribuition in the film is little but leaves a great impression. There is a memorable scene when he assembles the other farmers against Mr. Wilson.
No doubt that this film is something you should experience and judge by your self.
Awards Consideration:
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Hugo Weaving)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Matthew Broderick)
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Meredith Hagner)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Emily Watson)
Main Cast:
Hugo Weaving … Henry Wells
Emily Watson … Mary Wells
Penn Badgley … Jack Wells
Meredith Hagner … Elizabeth Wells
Matthew Broderick … Uncle Geoffrey
Rob Lowe … Mr. Wilson
Tagline: “Raise the seed of hate”
Synopsis: 1931. Lake Park, Iowa.
The Wells farm was settled in the top of a small hill. It was a hard time. The Great Depression was crumbling the family’s economy. Henry (Weaving) always had a huge passion for his family and by no means would have he made his family go through bad times. Mary (Watson) was quite a woman. She was no sweet nor nice to anyone. Always cold and thinking. It was very difficult for her to trust anyone. Very distant and chary. Despite this things she loved her children. All her life she did nothing but try to make her children’s future better than her present.
Jack Wells’ (Badgley) future prospects weren’t ambitious at all. He just wanted to keep her father’s farm and establish his own family. Different story about Elizabeth (Hagner) though. Her real goal in life was to run away the farm and see herself becoming a talented writer but due to the bad situation they were living her drams had to wait. Uncle Geoffrey (Broderick), lived in New York. When his life fell apart in 1929 he headed to his brother’s farmer.
The summer hit Lake Park. It was a gold hot day when a great black car stopped in front of the farmer. Henry and Jack were working when they saw a man coming out the car. He wore a very classy suite and a great hat. Mr. Wilson was his name (Lowe). He wanted to talk to Henry in privacy. The issue was explained quickly. A road was to be made right over the Wells farm. Mr. Wilson offered a substantially huge amount of money and two days to think over it. Henry talked to his family and despite their opposition he made the deal.
Weeks later the works began but no money was delivered to the Wells. Henry call for it several times but it never came. Uncle Geoffrey took the justice into his own hands and assembled some other farmers to stop the works. An early win that led into the murder of Uncle Geoffrey one night near the lake.
Mr. Wilson assured that he had nothing to do with the death of Henry’s brother. The works began again. Time went by and no sing of payment were seeing by the Wells, now devastated by their relative’s death. One night Elizabeth went to Mr. Wilson’s office and overheard a conversation were Mr. Wilson told someone that he had, in fact, ordered the murder of Geoffrey Wells. Elizabeth ran away from there but Mr. Wilson reached her. After insult her and attack her, he finally raped her and as a consequence she became pregnant. She headed back home draging and knowing that all her dreams of becoming a famous writer were over.
Once Henry knew about this and fed up with the situation he went to Mr. Wilson’s office and shot him to death despite his wife opposition. The morning after Henry Wells was arrested by the police and Mary was left alone in the farm with her children. They kept the farm and lost their father.
Mary never left the farm again. Elizabeth had her child and when he became 16 she send him to the city so he could start his education. Jack married a girl from the village and he did have a family and his own farm. Henry died in prison some weeks after the incident at the age of 50.
Press Section: Australian director Gillian Armstrong hasn’t written a scrip for 34 years. Don’t let this incline you to think that it lacks quality. The story flows through the entire film thanks to the link that embraces it: the atmosphere. The entire film is shown to us in sepia. This gives the film this vintage spirit. The beauty of the countryside and the action dominates the word.
Hugo Weaving’s character is a hero by all means but his personality wont let you think of him as one. Henry Wells is very reserved and shy but his huge passion for his family makes him step in for them. Weaving’s work is excellent. He gave his character a touch of tenderness that contrasts heavily with his rudeness.
Emily Watson delivers little to any text in the film but you won’t need it. All what you need from Mary Wells is in her face. Watson’s corporal work is exceptional but this lack of text may left her aside once the awards season comes.
Different situation for Meredith Hagner, though. Her creation, Elizabeth Wells, is a strong woman, self-confident and brave. She has been given an incredible character. The scene where she is raped by Mr. Wilson is pure gold.
Matthew Broderick’s contribuition in the film is little but leaves a great impression. There is a memorable scene when he assembles the other farmers against Mr. Wilson.
No doubt that this film is something you should experience and judge by your self.
Awards Consideration:
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Hugo Weaving)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Matthew Broderick)
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Meredith Hagner)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Emily Watson)
