Critic Reviews

• David Jenkins, Time Out

  Echoing Malick's 'Days of Heaven' in the way it captures the majesty of the American countryside, this is a small gem that's worth seeking out.

• Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

  A film of uncommon grace, one that transports you to an America that seems innately familiar even though you have never seen it depicted on-screen quite like this before.

• Tom Long, Detroit News

  As opposed to the bulk of low-budget films, the look here is lush and beautifully crafted; even the make-up is excellent.

• Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

  Terrific acting, a perfectly captured period setting, and a simple, aching farm courtship, that's all Sweet Land is.

• Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

  Sweet and low-key, Sweet Land is a movie that likely will leave you wishing you liked it more.

• John Hartl, Seattle Times

  [Director Ali] Selim grounds the story so firmly in its characters that he never hits a false note.

• Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com

  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.

• Anthony Quinn, Independent

  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.

• Martin Hoyle, Financial Times

  Nostalgic, gentle, loving: the elegiac mood set against endless rural space inevitably suggests Malick's Days of Heaven. What next from this considerable talent?

• David Edwards, Daily Mirror [UK]

  Our movie of the week - which isn't saying much - arrives in the shape of this atmospheric slice of Americana about an arranged marriage deep in the heart of rural Minnesota.

• Mike McCahill, Daily Telegraph

  Pleasant surprise of the week, a US indie so unashamedly romantic about pie, cornfields, family and baseball you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching a Presidential campaign video.

• Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

  Here is a nicely photographed, but bland, insipid and weirdly passive-aggressive little film.

• James Christopher, Times [UK]

  Minnesota between the wars is a bone yard for dreams, yet, like Babette's Feast, the film plucks a tiny miracle from stony ground.

• Daniel Etherington, Film4

  Sweet Land could have been mawkish and overly sentimental, but Selim has a light touch and the film is intelligent, sensitive and sweet.

• Bill Gibron, DVD Verdict

  Successfully shaking off some of the rougher bits brought on at the beginning, Sweet Land turns out to be a nice little outsider diversion.

• Danny Minton, Beaumont Journal

  This sweet little love story was one of my favorite films from last year.

• Prairie Miller, WBAI Web Radio

  Sweet Land is brave and touchingly executed cinematic storytelling that explores the lives of these immigrants with extraordinary insight.

• Prairie Miller, WBAI Web Radio

  The son of an Egyptian immigrant, the Minnesota born Selim demonstrates a startling intimacy and empathy for his characters, but infuses his story with a candid tough love for their weaknesses.

• Brian Webster, Apollo Guide

  There are too many people involved in the commentary track, but it's thoughtful and sincere.

• Brian Webster, Apollo Guide

  Characters' motivations and behaviours wobble all over the map - even within single scenes - making for a profoundly frustrating and disappointing experience for viewers.

Read all 20 critic reviews