Love Begins

I'm not sure how I got stuck into watching this, but it ended up being an okay Christian sort of movie (put on by "faith & family" entertainment and Hallmark). Its not nearly as good as "Love Comes Softly" with Katherine Heigl though and I struggled with having any sort of appreciation for Ellen (Julie Mond) and her sister Cassie because their acting was just terrible.

Clark Davis (Wes Brown) was probably what kept me watching, not only was he nice to look at but he did a decent job in his role as an adventurer who gets into a fight at a local café and is arrested. (Jere Burns) plays Sheriff Holden and also did a good job here. He sets up a plea deal with café owner Millie (super fun to see Nancy McKeon again) which sees Clark agreeing to work at a farm owned by a young woman to pay off his debt. As time passes and with nudging from the towns residents the pair soon begin to fall for one another.

This was pretty low budget, with the set decorating in particular looking more like a local theatre production -stuff just thrown together that looks sorta like its from the time period represented than a made for TV movie.

I also wondered how these sisters were keeping afloat on a farm where their "crops" consisted of 6 stalks of wilted corn, a couple tomato plants and some cows we hear but never see.

There is a bit of preaching about going to church but nothing too in your face.

Ultimately even though this wasn't great I do appreciate that there are still movies out there meant for the entire family. Without any graphic violence, sex scenes or F-bombs. Wholesome. And probably why I find these "Love" series films so (strangely) addictive. Its nice to just turn all that "noise" off once and a while. 11/6/15

Love begins is a movie meant for the entire family. Love comes Softly is a great series. Wes Brown (Clark) does a great job at portraying this rancher/farmer. Wes shows Passion (no problem) Love (always) and romance (he can spin on a dime). His leading lady Julie Mond (Ellen) which is great. She is strong willed woman who wants things done her way. Clark is there to work off a debt that happened in town. lark being hired to fill his commitment does just that. Cassie the sister of Ellen is the enforcer for Clark to keep him on his toes. Cassie is also quite the matchmaker. So Cassie and Clark ends this movie at matrimony. So Clark and Ellen Love Begins, and Loves Everlasting courage is continuing to tell there story. This movie is good to watch. Shows a lot of strength , courage and a lot of Love and Heart. Brenda

The ninth episode in the Hallmark's 'Love Comes Softly' movie series, but not based on any of Jannete Oke's books. Like I mentioned in the previous installment's review the book ends there, but the story continued with this film. Because I think the movie makers wanted it keeping going after getting a good response from the television audience. So instead to proceed forward, they have decided for a couple of prequels. Yep, this is the first of the two prequels. Disappointment for 'Love Comes Softly' book series fans, but treat for the movie fans.

When I came to know about the prequels, I was excited only for one reason, i.e., to see Marty again. Precisely to say I was hoping for the return of Katherine Heigl. At that angle it is very disappointing, because this prior event based on the Clark Davis. Yes the one who offered his hand for Marty in the very first movie when she was lost in the unknown territory. But if you remember the original story (first film) was begun by introducing Marty and I was desperate for this story to be narrated from her side, but sadly it didn't.

So this movie narrates by unfolding us who is Clark, where did he come from and how he's going earn his place in a small town. A movie that captured only the soft side of the story, like 'all's well that ends well' kind of mindset which is one hundred and one per cent a family movie (When I said family, that mean gown ups only; excluding teens and below). Except the opening where it had some fights like a real western movie which quickly ceased.

My thinking was, if it is watched by the today's teenagers, they would attack it from all the angles, because they're living in the era ruled by CGI and superheroes. To them it is an outdated theme, so that might be one of the reasons this series to be turned into a television product where the target goes straight to the women and families.

"We gotta hang on to the good ones... Let the bad ones go. Never let 'em haunt us."

We got plenty of things to point it out why this film is so dull, but for the television standards it is easily passable. I had no issue with the movie, it was a good one filled with moral message and I enjoyed it. Everything was well arranged, a feel good movie, which looked a very much like another book adaptation. So it's not a bad idea it to turn into a book, but Jannete Oke have to agree to that. I'm saying that because of the book people who have read all the eight Love saga can get a chance to read if they're not interested in the film version.

The story was very easy to follow. In fact, if you have not seen any movie in this series, you could start with this and the next one followed by the original order. But I won't suggest that, whatever the order the storytelling is, we must go through with the 'released' order. Because sometimes the hard work they have made to attach by filling the gaps between the prequels and the original films differs when we watch it in the chronological order.

The cast selection was great, they gave their best shot. This kind of movie is very rare to come by. Maybe that is the reason I liked this series, so can't wait for the next two films. I'm not going to give full marks for it, I know the movie is not overwhelmingly awesome. Interestingly, striking with the genre that is usually associated with action, adventure, crime and thriller is what attracted me towards it. So another wonderful movie was included in the series, I think we should credit the writers and director for that. Two more films to go, see you at the next review guys.

7½/10

My one complaint would be that I wish the first 35 minutes had been less about the set up so they could have taken more time with Clark getting to know the ladies and vice versa.

This movie is part of the Love Comes Softly franchise and that's what it's going to be. There's going to be some schmaltz. There's going to be some manners and morality. Maybe even a little bit about God. Probably some romance. There's even a funny moment or two. (I liked what happened with Sarah..)

Wes Brown does a good job of fitting into the mold that Dale Midkiff set for Clark Davis as well as the character in the books. Julie Mond, after the obligatory antagonism toward Clark, quickly becomes the Ellen we would expect.

Good clean entertainment with good values. I liked it.

I'm sure many stories happened during the days of the Wild West and I'm also sure that not ALL westerns had shoot-em ups and stagecoach or bank robberies. This happens to be a Western of the kind I personally like and I'd like to recommend it to one and all.

You can let your kids see it without any qualms and it's like a breath of fresh air from all the idiotic westerns Hollywood churned out over the years.

I'm only sorry that the owners of the Hollywood movie studios don't have the needed intelligence to remember the children who watch their bloodbaths - instead they prefer to count the dollars in their till.