While made-for-television movies are often a hit or miss proposition, I was pleasantly surprised by the Hallmark Channel's bittersweet romantic family drama Love Comes Softly, which originally aired in Spring 2003. The film, is based on a series of prairie romance novels by Author Janette Oke, and directed by Michael Landon Jr., son of the creator of the Little House On The Prairie television series. It deals with the primary themes of a family's development of courage, inner strength, and faith during a time of shared hardship.

As the film opens, Marty (Katherine Heigl) and Aaron Claridge (Oliver Macready) are traveling by covered wagon on the western plains, in search of a homestead, when Aaron is tragically killed. On the day of Aaron's funeral, a recent widower, Clark Davis, (Dale Midkiff) needing a surrogate mother for his 9 year old daughter, offers Marty a temporary marriage of convenience. Marty is hesitant at first, but with the prospect of a bleak winter coming, and no roof over her head, she agrees to accept Clark's proposal when he promises that she is free to leave, if she chooses, when the next wagon train heads east in the spring.

Clark's spunky daughter, Missie (Skye Mc Cole Bartusiak) initially resents Marty, feeling that she is trying to take the place of her mother, for whom she is secretly mourning. Marty is still grieving from the loss of her husband, and has to work through her own pain, before she can properly relate to the strong willed child. Clark, who understands Marty's grief first hand, keeps his distance, patiently allowing her time to heal. Eventually, Marty finds her way into Missie's heart, and also finds herself unexpectedly attracted to Clark's compassion, gentle nature, and unshakable faith. Unsure that Clark shares her feelings, Marty is faced with a difficult decision when Clark makes good his promise to set her free with the arrival of spring.

This movie is beautifully filmed, featuring sweeping, panoramic, views of the picturesque western landscape. Landon, who co-wrote the screenplay, focuses primarily on the development of his characters, rather than relying on action and adventure to reveal the plot. The result is a heartwarming story of three people who learn to survive loss by finding comfort in one another, and relying on a strong faith in God. This film delicately touches on several theological issues. In one particular scene, Clark attempts to explain to Marty why God allows bad things to happen, by comparing his relationship to God, to that of his relationship to his daughter; explaining that while he can't prevent her from stumbling and falling, he is always there to give her gentle guidance and support when it happens.

The performances by the two lead actors, Katherine Heigl (Bride Of Chucky) and Dale Midkiff (Love Potion No. 9) seem a bit restrained at times. However, the young Skye Mc Cole Bartusiak (Don't Say A Word) shines, as the spirited tomboy, Missie. The biggest surprise, is the strong, subtle, performance by Theresa Russell, (Black Widow) who steps out of her usual role of femme fatale, into the role of a matronly prairie matriarch, and Marty's wise friend, with amazing ease.

While the characters in this film may come across as a bit too wholesome to be entirely credible, I found this inspiring story to be a welcomed change from the usual dysfunctional families portrayed in the majority of today's television melodramas. Some viewers may object to the film's obvious attempt to espouse Christian values, but the characters never come across as preachy or self-righteous. Although the ending is glaringly predictable, Love Comes Softly, is an engaging story that can be enjoyed by the entire family.

This evenly paced film, at a mere 88 minutes, shares a striking similarity to Hallmark Hall Of Fame presentation Sarah Plain and Tall, starring Glenn Close as a frontier mail order bride. Both films share the theme that love is not always the result of an uncontrollable passion, but can grow slowly, and quietly, when people are willing to allow it to blossom, and are willing to open their hearts to love's possibilities.


DVD Features

Anamorphic wide screen format
English language track with Spanish subtitles available
Closed Captioning available
Scene Selector
Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Sound


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older