Love Comes Softly (2003) (TV)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Michael Landon Jr.

Writers:

Cindy Kelley (teleplay) &
Michael Landon Jr. (teleplay) ...

Release Date:

13 April 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Western | Drama

Tagline:

Marriage was the deal. Love was the surprise.

Plot:

A young woman on her way to a new life in the 1800's suddenly finds herself a widow. Now she must live with a recently widowed young man and his daughter. Can any of them find love again?

Plot Keywords:

Faith | Widow | 1800s | Marriage Of Convenience | Stepmother Stepdaughter Relationship

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Katherine Heigl	...	Marty Claridge
Dale Midkiff	...	Clark Davis
Skye McCole Bartusiak	...	Missie Davis
Corbin Bernsen	...	Ben Graham
Theresa Russell	...	Sarah Graham
Oliver Macready	...	Aaron Claridge
Tiffany Amber Knight	...	Laura Graham (as Tiffany Knight)
Adam Loeffler	...	Clint Graham
Nick Scoggin	...	Reverend Johnson (as Nick Scoggins)
Jaimz Woolvett	...	Wagon Train Scout
Rutanya Alda	...	Wanda Marshall
Janet Rotblatt	...	Woman in Wagon (as Janet Rotbaltt)

Runtime:

Brazil:84 min | USA:88 min (DVD version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Coloma, California, USA

Company:

Alpine Medien Productions

Trivia:

Katherine Heigl had to learn how to milk a cow for her role as Marty Claridge.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During the scene where Clark proposes to her in the rain, a bra strap is visible underneath her wet clothes. Bras weren't invented until the 1910s. A corset would have been worn.

Quotes:

Marty Claridge: I might be leaving, but my love is staying here with you.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Love's Unending Legacy (2007) (TV)

A Heart-Warming, Entertaining Movie for the Whole Family to Enjoy!

I must say that I enjoyed watching "Love Comes Softly". I think it was very entertaining and is suitable for all ages which is always a good thing. Skye McCole Bartusiak shines on screen as the bratty daughter and it's a pleasure to watch her. Superb script and casting.

While I didn't expect too much from this movie despite the fact that I generally like Hallmark channel movies, I must say I was pleasantly surprised.

Not only was the acting very believable, but the plot was original and had a lot of heart. This movie made me smile, get teary-eyed, and think. I think what makes this movie rise above the average is that it reaches many different people on various levels. It challenges you to think outside the box, to not accept the conformity of society and set your own standards while crossing over the line. It teaches you the importance of family, even 'broken' ones, and letting new people in, to have faith in people. Love Comes Softly combines entertainment, drama, and emotions to make the best Hallmark channel has ever seen. Definitely worth watching over and over again and it gets 10 stars for a well written script and a great acting job by Katherine Heigl, Skye McCole Bartusiak and Dale Midkiff.

This movie has a few things going with it. First off, all the actors/actresses do an outstanding job in their roles. Katherine Heigl does by far the best job at playing Marty Claridge. She is in nearly every scene, and her delivery of lines and expressions is priceless.

Ditto to that on Bartusiak. It's difficult to believe she was only 10 or 9, because she has the natural ability to behave rather than to act in a role. It had a good story and easy to identify characters. The great thing about this is that it doesn't dwell on drugs, bad language, violence and loud and unrelated music. IQ of 80 or below. Seen in that context, this movie is waaaaaay above average.

Nevertheless, the film portrays children and adults as resilient, capable of not only facing such challenges, but mastering them. It's a well done made for T.V. movie. It's Hallmark, so it does have a certain "cuteness" to it, but it's much, much better than those overrated Disney Channel Original movies, heck, it's better than all that garbage in theaters. I'm glad that some movie didn't get made just to rake in big bucks.

With so many movies oriented toward violence, anger, brutality etc, "Love Comes Softly" is a breath of fresh air. I love all types of movies but where would we be without an occasional heartwarming, uplifting(at times) classic like this?

If you haven't seen this yet you certainly should. It's delightful, touching and a great film for the family. You will not disappointed! I've only seen it twice, but still it manages to totally take over my thoughts as I get involved in its world. I was nervous because it was based on a book I loved (I read it when I was 11), it could have been a pathetic disappointment. Instead it draws from the book beautifully the characters and attitudes that made the book one of the greatest of all time. I don't normally watch prairie movies, but lately I've taken an interest in the 1800s. I'm really glad that they make movies such as this one. Like I said above, it doesn't dwell on sex and drugs, and it's not a bore. It's a great book made into a great movie, kind of like "Little Women". Great cast and great direction that will please the whole family (except for your teenaged son).

Go rent or buy this film when you have some time. It's worth it!