Love Comes Softly
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Movie Reviews of Love Comes Softly
Movie Review: Heartfelt romance with a touch of reality
Summary: 5 Stars
No doubt more than once this story actually played out in the 1800's, marriages arranged for survival and for the sake of the family unit. I'm amazed many people expect a movie to exactly follow the book, in most instances that isn't possible, the only movie I can recall coming close to the book version is BBC's production of Pride and Prejudice (with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth). This movie (Love Comes Softly) easily stands on its own as does the book--view them as equal but separate entities. Dale Midkiff's performance was outstanding as a man of deep religious values, moral, compassionate, gentle but strong, kind, wise and understanding of Marty's pain and his child's jealousy and inability to accept a new "mom". I found the "age difference" between Clark and Marty quite believeable, Clark was a man with an established farm (something that wouldn't have been as believeable with a 20-25 year-old widowed man). His character has weathered hard times, loss and sadness in losing his own wife, managing a farm and raising a young child on his own--all making him wiser from these experiences; this increases his compassion toward Marty and his ability to deal with the expected conflict between his young daughter and the newly widowed Marty. One viewer stated there really wasn't a reason for marriage since Clark wanted Marty there to influence and guide his daughter--totally untrue. In that day and time to have a young, recently widowed woman living in his house would have been a disgrace and a vehicle for gossip, totally out of character for the values expressed by Clark--he would never have had Marty living in his house without the benefit of marriage (regardless of whether he and Marty had any love interest). Clark is all man with a strong but soft, gentle side that is irresistible. The viewer can see the budding love in his eyes for Marty as well as see Marty's appreciation for his strength, wisdom, steadiness and his love for his child. Dale (as Clark) is so convincing in the scene where he finally discovers Marty's note, his puffy eyes, his drawn face certainly look as though he has shed many tears over Marty's departure--a rare emotional scene especially for a male actor.
Katherine Heigl is outstanding in the range of emotions her character experiences--from immature, youthful love with her husband Aaron, to the shock and pain of his untimely death, through grief, and finally maturity into a lasting love with Clark. Also, I don't think I've ever seen a better performance from Corbin Bernsen.
This movie is extraordinary, rich in moral values, romance without nudity, expressions of true love without overt sex or explicit bedroom scenes, no swear words--not one single four-letter word so common in movies today--how refreshing. There are lines in this movie that bring you to tears and others that make you laugh out loud.
I love this movie, have seen it many times on DVD and no doubt will watch it many more times. There is an overall sense of goodness in the characters and this movie in general. Michael Landon, Jr. has done an outstanding job of providing a movie worth viewing over and over and a credit to the memory of his Dad. This movie is worth every one of the 5 stars I gave it in this review.
Movie Review: One of the best Christian love stories I've ever seen.
Summary: 5 Stars
FINALLY, a movie no less love story, that reflects Judeo/Christian values. It is a movie that exhibits what most Christians believe and depicts -- without preaching -- true Christian love and compassion. The message of the gospel is woven within the story intricately and it is a delight to watch.
I rented this movie first from Blockbuster quite by accident. Right after seeing it, I immediately went on-line and bought it and then watched it again, and again and again. I've only done that with a handful of movies ever. The only other movies "worthy" of my repeated viewing are A&E's BBC production of Jane Austin's "Pride and Prejudice," Emma Thompson's screenplay and movie "Sense and Sensibility," and some of the older classics such as "Now Voyager" with Bette Davis.
I have become so weary of Hollywood continuously using "Christian" characters as evil, or doing evil things all by their warped interpretation of how Christians act in the name of God. Non-Christians attempting to portray Christians in film has almost always come up sorely lacking in authenticity.
I recently saw a movie where the only character who even mentions God is a psycho stalker. The godless are of course, the heroes. Typical Hollywood fare.
This is a story that shows a father as a Christian father and husband should be. It shows a woman who struggles with a tremendous tragedy in her life but by seeing true Christian charity and compassion through this father and widower who took her in, begins to allow happiness back into her heart and manages to show kindness to his young daughter who misses her dead mother terribly. The plot is admittedly predictable, however the acting is so well done (even by the child and generally speaking, I do not care for child actors as they always seem to be reading their lines rather than "becoming" their character) that you find yourself being swept away willingly into the story regardless.
This is a movie you can watch with the entire family not only for the fine story line and the fine directing (by Michael Landon Jr. -- obviously a chip off the ole block), but because the production itself is not (unfortunately) the usual cutting-the-corners cheaply made movie produced by the Christian community. I hate to say that but it's true with only a few exceptions (Mel Gibson's "The Passion" for example).
Christians and non-Christians alike will love this story of Matty, Clark and Missy because Christians can see Biblical principles within the story line and non-Christan's can finally witness in a movie the things Christians truly believe while enjoying a heartwarming love story!
The sequel to this movie "Love's Enduring Promise" (both movies based on Christian novels by Janette Oke BTW) is also a wonderful story and a must see.
Rent this movie if you do not wish to yet add it to your collection, but then I predict, when you see it once, you'll want to see it over and over again and return here to buy it!
Movie Review: DobsonPAnn
Summary: 5 Stars
The secret of the success of both the book and movie, Love Comes Softly lies in the brilliant development of the characters and storyline by the authoress, Janette Oke. Resulting from her personal love for, and life with God and the wholesomeness which ensues from such a life experience, inspired the godly characters of the principles, Clark Davis and Marty Claridge. The writers, directors and producers of the movie did a good job keeping the principle characters (Clark and Marty) true to the book. Although some events in the movie were dissimilar from the book, even those events seemed `in keeping with' the tenor of the book.
Clark is a patient, honorable, humble, godly man. Marty's response of humility and teachableness, resulting from her circumstances of sudden widowhood/destitution, was a wise character development - Marty's needyness was beautifully intertwined with the man Clark Davis had become when she became acquainted with him! The principle characters of the book, their lives, the events and the matrix of this endearing book and movie, are all very credible. One cannot be taught (by God) if one is unmalleable (prideful, arrogant, self-sufficient.) Clark's strong character, leads and sets the tenor of their sweet and tender love story. The beautiful development by Janette Oke of their Christian characters in her book(s), makes both book and movie of the unforgettable quality! The great aspect of the characters and the storyline is their reality. Such people exist in contemporary forms in the world today, they just aren't in plentiful supply. Anyone who humbles themselves before God will learn the secret of living a life with richness, peace and more love than they could ever imagine - the life Clark and Marty Davis exemplify.
Movie Review: Faith in the Face of Grief
Summary: 5 Stars
What an absolute delight this film is! Made for the Hallmark Channel & first aired in 2003, Michael Landon Jr. has directed a very sweet tale that is touching, gripping and compelling on many levels. The cast for this Janet Oke novel adaptation is excellent. Katherine Heigl is currently starring in the enormously popular "Gray's Anatomy" TV series for ABC & previously starred in one of my favorites, the cult TV classic series "Roswell." Acting since she was 7, her first film was "That Night" in 1992 followed by the Steven Soderbaugh directed "King of the Hill" a year later. As Marty Claridge, she hits so many levels: the wildly romantic new bride, the forlorn widow, the uncertain woman living in a rugged country, and of course the companion of Missy and the slow realization of her love for Clark Davis. Dale Midkiff starred in the "Time Trax" TV series from 93-95, as Elvis in the TV movie "Elvis & Me, & in "Another Woman's Husband" for Lifetime Cable. As Clark Davis, I was particularly touched by his ability to evoke that most subtle combination of feeling & belief, faith -- even in the face of deep grief. The plot contrivance at the end where he misses Marty's letter seemed a little forced, but then what screenwriter is perfect? Skye McCole Bartusiak played the young Meg Ryan in "Against the Ropes" & in a horror flick I purposely missed, "Boogeyman." As the headstrong daughter Missy she turns in an excellent performance. L.A. Law's Corbin Bernsen & Theresa Russell do a nice job as the neighbors Ben & Sarah Graham. "Love Comes Softly" is marvelous because it demonstrates that entertainment doesn't have to be sleazy to be excellent. The DVD didn't offer many extras, but I'm glad that this Hallmark film is available. Enjoy!Movie Review: Lovely Film
Summary: 5 Stars
Whenever you see the words "based on" you know the film isn't going to follow the original story...as proves the case in this series. Actually, this one is the more true to the stories than the others. I don't usually like films that are "based on" - particularly if I have loved the original stories - but I did enjoy this series directed by Michael Landon Jr. If you can accept these aren't the stories of the books written by Christian author Janette Oke, they are an enjoyable set of films of love & faith to watch in their own right.
In this film:
Marty comes west with her husband Aaron Claridge. A tragic accident leaves her a widow expecting her first child & no where to live. Clark Davis is a widower with with a 10yr old daughter, Missie. He suggests a marriage of convenience - she would have a roof over her head for the winter until she can get the wagon train home in the spring, & his daughter would have a woman's influence in her life.
Marty struggles as she deals with life on a farm, grieving her first husband, & dealing with a difficult Missie who's still grieving the loss of her mother. Gradually she learns to love the place, Missie...& Clark, & finds that when spring arrives, she doesn't want to leave.
Buy the Series:
Janette Oke the Love Comes Softly Series: (Set of 6 DVDs) Love Comes Softly; Love's Enduring Promise; Love's Long Journey; Love's Abiding Joy; Love's Unending Legacy; Love's Unfolding Dream