Richard Harris (deservedly Oscar-nominated) reaffirms his qualities as a great actor in this very deep, very Irish tragedy from writer-director Jim Sheridan. After many unworthy roles, Harris triumphs here as a weathered farmer who has for 10 years nurtured with loving care a field leased to him by a widow from whom he hopes to buy. Unknown to Harris, his son (Sean Bean) is, with the connivance of the village idiot (John Hurt), up to all sorts of tricks to drive the widow out. Although the story's plot twists take some swallowing, Sheridan's direction is expert, especially in the climactic action sequence. And there's always Harris, looking like Hemingway's Old Man of the Sea ought to look, and towering over his fellows.

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