Simply A Masterpiece

Absolutely the worst movie.

Absolutely Fantastic

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

The film exceeded my expectations. Perhaps I was prejudiced about movies that takes place in the Midwest of 1800s. I didn't want to watch a movie about cowboys and defenseless women in distress where they fall madly in love in a very tacky way.Fortunately, I decided to watch it anyway. As a history enthusiast, I was pleased with landscapes and clothes that reflect the era in which the movie takes place. In addition, I was pleased to see that the leading role is far from being a defenseless woman. Maybe she was a little distressed at time but Marty is intelligent, educated and very strong. She has a bold personality that I loved. After watching some of the sequel, Katherine Heigl is definitely the right Marty Claridge. She plays this character with heart and conviction.I would also like to note the performance of the little Skye McCole Bartusiak, who plays Missie. Wow! She moved me, surprised me and sometimes frustrated me. She was pretty talented for a girl her age.I like that the movie was for all ages.

I loved this movie! I had never read the book, and was expecting a boring movie... but I was pleasantly surprised. I think the thing I enjoyed the most was the focus on ROMANCE, as opposed to SEX, which seems to be the theme of most movies today! Love takes time to develop, and this movie beautifully illustrates this.I have to also say that the daughter in the movie did a great job! She gave a very believable performance of a young girl who is struggling to accept a potential "step-mom". The movie shows the development of not only the relationship between future husband & wife, but also between future step-daughter & step-mom. Lots of excellent life lessons to be learned in this movie!

Unlike many of you, I had never read - or even heard of - Ms. Oke's series of books before seeing this film, despite having been a huge fan of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books (and the show) as a kid. I just happened upon the beginning of the movie as I was surfing channels last week, and I was hooked. I normally like edgier fare (such as "The Daily Show"), but this is such a nostalgic treat! I actually went out and found a copy of the book "Love Comes Softly" (it was in the young adults' section of the second-hand book store) and read it. To tell you the truth, I like the changes that Michael Landon, Jr. chose to make in the screenplay. I prefer Missy as a pre-teen and Marty as an opinionated, well-read young woman who has to come around to Clark's point of view on faith. In the book, she is a bit too much of an empty vessel for his teachings.All of the performances in this film are honest and affecting, if not pitch-perfect. Katharine Heigl uses some of her dramatic opportunities to soaring effect, particularly in her portayals of grief. But Midkiff - wow! He is heartbreakingly perfect in his portrayal of a character that might have come across as preachy and overbearing. It falls to him to hold the audience's hand and deliver the film's broad message of religious faith; but he doesn't grip too tightly, and his quiet manliness and humor are so compelling that...well, is any one else half in love with him? My only complaint is that, in an attempt to make a completely family-friendly film, Mr. Landon has gauzed over some of the physical hardships and intimacies inherent in the plot. This kind of cheats the audience out of some powerful emotional moments that help propel the characters' relationships. I like the fact that the film is wholesome; but it is possible to be clean without being sanitized.

This is a good wholesome movie that doesn't have cursing, violence, or bad music.I haven't seen a "GOOD" movie like this in a LONG time. (Maybe since Little House on the Prairie.) I couldn't wait to put the next one in.They had me crying and laughing. This is an excellent movie from a series of 3 or more. Why don't they make more movies like this instead of the GARBAGE they make today? You wonder why people are the way they are THESE days... People/children LEARN what they SEE. I HIGHLY recommend this series, it is awesome.