[Howard] has cast two actors -- Cruise and Nicole Kidman -- who simply do not have the scope or abilities to carry an epic. And he does not have a strong enough support team to fill in the gaps.

Far and Away... is the director's attempt to step into the cinematic shoes of directors John Ford and David Lean. And, certainly, he's stepped into something with this sprawling, old-fashioned melodrama.

A little irreverence and some revisionist strokes would have lent some welcome spice to this bland meat-and-potatoes serving of U.S. history.

Far and Away improves considerably once the action shifts to Boston...