Good movie but grossly overrated

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

This movie was charming. The acting was stellar and the script even better. I wish these people were my friends, especially the father. It is a very progressive film as far as traditions vs. progress goes, and that theme is an important one that is maintained throughout the movie. I have little complaints about this little gem except that the ending seemed a little rushed and it was not believable to me that the main actress would choose to not acknowledge the fact that she had just inherited a fortune. It was also not believable to me that the thief who was en route to escaping justice when he has a last minute change of heart and decides to go back and turn himself in. I suppose I am just nitpicking, and I assume that the author of the book of which this movie is based had her reasons for having things played out like that. If you're a lover of the period piece, appreciate good acting and writing, then this film is for you.

Who says that there has never been a class system in America? Miss Edith Adelon is a poor orphan who was adopted by Henry Otis Hamilton, a wealthy American landowner in New England. Hamilton took pity on the foundling child at the time of the death of his brother in Italy. Years later, a personal drama plays out on the Evenswood estate at a time when Edith is forced to make life-changing decisions as a young adult. In the process, she faces hostility because of the low standing of her birth that makes her an outsider in the class-conscious world of nineteenth-century New England.Based on the Louisa May Alcott novel, this made-for-television film beautifully captures the period of post-Civil War New England. The costumes and the photography of Evenswood are superb, and the performances (especially Cari Shayne as Edith) are uniformly excellent.Above all, it is the overall feeling that is captured by the performers that makes "The Inheritance" an engrossing experience of charm and sentiment. Tom Conti is excellent as Henry Otis Hamilton, who recognizes the potential of the young orphan, entrusting Edith to ride in the Green Cup and to humiliate his stuffy neighbor, Arlliss Johnson, when she wins the race. Somehow, Edith's ability with horses appears to be in her blood. There is also a villain in the piece. But it is not a stereotypical melodramatic mustache-twirling blackmailer, but the catty Miss Ida Glenshaw, who will stop at nothing in order to ruin the life of Edith. The most outrageous moment is the theft of the family jewelry that is planted in the bedchamber of Edith by Miss Glenshaw.The love interest in the story is Jane Austen-like in the evolving relationship of Edith and the dashing Mr. Percy, whose bleeding heart from an earlier romance is mended by the kindness of the orphan. It would not be an overstatement to suggest that upon their first meeting, when she pulls out her handkerchief to wipe blood from his cheek, love will conquer all. But that will depend on unlocking the mysterious past of the orphan in which a long lost letter is discovered to reveal the truth about her lineage.One of the nice touches of the film was the use of captions alongside the characters prior to the closing credits. Miss Amy Hamilton, the bookish daughter, goes to college and becomes a suffragette. Miss Glenshaw makes a smooth transition into becoming a spinster and spending time in a correction facility. And, of course, all obstacles are removed for the "perfect" relationship of Mr. Percy and Miss Adelon.

Henry Hamilton (Tom Conti, excellent) and his wife, Beatrice (Meredith Baxter) have a lovely, upstate New York property in the late 1800's. Their only child, Amy, loves books and reading and loathes going outdoors. She is on the verge of womanhood. Also in their household, since her infancy, is a young lady of similar age, Edith (Cari Shayne). Edith was the daughter of a servant in Henry's brother's home in Italy and, when the sibling died, the Hamiltons took charge of the baby. She has been reared with love but is also a servant in the Hamilton household, being a companion for their child, Amy. There is a definite distinction between the girls, with Beatrice reminding Edith that when Amy marries, she, Edith, will have to look for a new position or marry herself. The sweet, loving "companion" never raises her voice about anything but, when the world gets too difficult, she goes for a ride on one of the horses on the property, being an excellent rider. Now into the home comes two guests who will be living there indefinitely. One is a distant cousin, Ida (Brigid Brannagh), an unmarried lady who, though quite beautiful and relatively young, is still without a husband. Beatrice hopes to matchmake her with their other guest, James Percy (Thomas Gibson), an old friend who has been unlucky in love, too. However, the best laid plans often stumble! James and Edith are almost instantly taken with each other, despite the differences in their status, while Ida proves to be a catty, deceiving shrew who lives to make trouble. A son of a local richman, Frederick (Paul Anthony Stewart) catches her eye, but, he seems attentive to Edith, too, making the situation even more complicated. Then, too, there is someone stealing Mrs. Hamilton's jewels on the sly and Henry wants to enlist Edith as the horsewoman for his prize stallion in a local race. No woman has ever entered before, though the rules don't forbid it. In all of these twists and turns, how will it all end, especially in the romantic category? And, are there more secrets to uncover? This movie is a treasure so make you own inheritance and buy a copy soon...got mine at the local grocery for $4.99! What an unbelievable bargain for a romantic drama fan! Also, this tale is TRUE and was originally a work of non-fiction by Louisa May Alcott. Fascinating stuff, makes one want to run to the library or Internet. The cast is just wonderful, with Conti leading the way. He is absolutely excellent as the caring patriarch while Baxter looks sensational and is likewise great in her role as the matron with a heart who nonetheless believes in the class structure of the times. Shayne and the very handsome Gibson make a lovely, sweet couple in waiting while Brannagh is quite fun as the prickly pear of a woman. All other cast members, including Stewart and Max Gail, are very fine, too. As for the film's appearance, what a stunning bit of scenery, costuming and cinematography! This is a gorgeous looking movie while its substance, as evidenced by its script and direction, is extremely worthy as well. Then, too, its G-rated content makes it suitable for every potential viewer, young and old. Do you enjoy romantic, substantive, and family-oriented films which are also quite, quite good? Seek this one out in the next couple hours for your loved ones.

The reason I voted a 9 out of ten is that there is one scene where younger children would probably not be allowed to watch. Shouldn't be allowed that is because a man is trying to persecute Edith but of course the dashing young lover rescues her from the evil villain. Like all happily ever after movies go. But this one is a must see. I mean there are a lot of good fairy tell-ish movies out there but seriously this is one of the best. I have only seen this once and I still rave about how good it was. I have been waiting for it to come out on DVD and finally I got my wish! yea! I am definitely going to get this one to add to my romantic series! Believe me if you liked Little Women and Little Men then you will love this even more!!! <>< Great Movie, Very exciting, Tear Jerker,and of course Romance! Got to love it.