Is the institution of family what we are born into, or is it those around us who love us and care for us? I think this movie says both but leans heavily towards the latter. I think that the de facto family exemplified by the latter part of my question only works if at least some of those involved are shy of a biological family to begin with, or at least shy of a big one. At any rate, the family of necessity was a big part of the beginning of this movie and then again some at the end. But the way they rallied around Mary Rose in the beginning was, I think for me, the hook.
Mary Rose was spoiled and naive. Annie slapped her at one point and was right at least about what she said to that effect. I think the movie itself could be said also to have been naive. Oh sure, there was a share of trials including murder, nature and economic distress, but not nearly what there should have been considering how open and trusting so many of the characters were. Victoria's father hired a PI, but still was very accepting. Adam threw away caution immediately helping Shining Water. And the worst was Mary Rose herself, even if most of that was the result of a sheltered upbringing. Still she left herself open to all kinds of potential trouble. I am amazed at what she did on her own after the big tragedy which she blamed herself for. At least in that tragedy her openness did come back to bite her.
The acting was mixed. Jennifer Garner was very disappointing. It seemed like time after time when a man showed up, she would give that exact same "shy smile". A lot of times she didn't seem natural in her acting.
There really isn't a romance story in this movie which isn't that unusual for a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. While there was a marriage, there wasn't really any relationship developing.
I think that to call this movie bad is going too far. The pace dragged a little at times and as I implied, it was unrealistic even compared to other westerns.
Mary Rose was spoiled and naive. Annie slapped her at one point and was right at least about what she said to that effect. I think the movie itself could be said also to have been naive. Oh sure, there was a share of trials including murder, nature and economic distress, but not nearly what there should have been considering how open and trusting so many of the characters were. Victoria's father hired a PI, but still was very accepting. Adam threw away caution immediately helping Shining Water. And the worst was Mary Rose herself, even if most of that was the result of a sheltered upbringing. Still she left herself open to all kinds of potential trouble. I am amazed at what she did on her own after the big tragedy which she blamed herself for. At least in that tragedy her openness did come back to bite her.
The acting was mixed. Jennifer Garner was very disappointing. It seemed like time after time when a man showed up, she would give that exact same "shy smile". A lot of times she didn't seem natural in her acting.
There really isn't a romance story in this movie which isn't that unusual for a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. While there was a marriage, there wasn't really any relationship developing.
I think that to call this movie bad is going too far. The pace dragged a little at times and as I implied, it was unrealistic even compared to other westerns.