Curapedi
I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.
Kaydan Christian
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
Caryl
It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.
Steve Skafte
I've seen just about every film directed by Richard Pearce. There's something in his understanding of actors that always brings out the best in them. That's especially evident in films like "Country", "A Family Thing" and "The Long Walk Home". It's hard to walk that thin line between heartfelt personal stories and overwrought melodrama. "Plainsong", however, isn't completely successful in avoiding the latter. The story itself has a lot in common with other Hallmark films, a way of unfolding that is a bit more predictable and/or comfortable than you might see in an average theatrical film. The TV movie feeling is the main, and only real thing holding "Plainsong" back.I'd noticed America Ferrera before, like I suppose most people have. But the only thing I'd actually seen her in was her first film, "Real Women Have Curves". She's so quiet here that it's almost like she's not there at all sometimes. That's not a bad thing, it reminded me of myself for a good part of my teenage years. She gets across the lost and confused feeling so well. The most fascinating and accomplished performances are those of Geoffrey Lewis and William Andrews as the elderly farmer brothers, and Marian Seldes as the lonely shut-in. They are so real, so believable. Rachel Griffiths and Aidan Quinn, whom many will be familiar with, are actually of much lesser interest than the younger and older actors. Nonetheless, they give very good performances.In all, "Plainsong" doesn't reach so far as it might. It stays on the outskirts of anything truly intense, but the feeling of gentle reality still bubbles to the surface. I'm truly glad I saw it, and I can't see how anyone couldn't take at least something away from the experience. I recommend that you pursue more of Richard Pearce's films.
teakie75
I will almost always watch ANYTHING Hallmark because of it's inherently safe family viewing qualities and middle of the road quality of production. I didn't read the book so I had no other prior expectations. It seemed like we picked up the story (in an unknown time era unless I missed it at the very beginning) of the main family, the Guthries, in the middle of the story, with no flashbacks to clear up how they had gotten to where we find them. The continuity to the other story thread, the pregnant teenager, was through Mr Guthrie's work. Another comment mentioned, as I also noticed, there seemed to be some pieces not mentioned, but able to be figured out that may have been omitted for time sake. The main thrust of the story seems to be how the characters deal with and overcome their problems with an emphasis on how friends and community were involved in helping dealing with these problems. The story stops much as it started, at a logical stopping point with only some of the issues resolved. This method of storytelling may be normal, I just wish there had been MORE story! All of the portions shown were good quality, well acted, and not overdone. I would love to see it again and would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in "period dramas". Thanks again to Hallmark for funding such endeavors.
NJCHARMED1
For a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, I was very disappointed. It wasn't up to par w/the other movies Hallmark produces. I felt there was a lack of character development & too many stones were left unturned. I felt like the viewer had to "assume" things about the storyline. There never was a clear explanation of details, which could have been pertinent to a good plot. Speaking of plot, there were just too many rollercoasters of storylines running throughout the movie; which led to an unanswered, unexplained end to the movie. I felt like there should have been "more". Lastly, I don't think the title of the movie had any relevance to the movie @ all.
bluestylus
Spoilers... so scroll down to see review...............Yet another lame plot where partners just dissolve and immediately hook up with someone else, effortlessly. Happy ending: a brand new family. I'm tired of seeing "alternative family" movies. Would have been better if he had been a widow, and that's not much better. The cinematography was par to a Hallmark presentation - slow moving, full of props, golden. There were the usual "loveable" characters - two gruff old brothers. The reason I gave this movie a 2 instead of lower is because of the performances of these two old fellows and the best performance of all the actors - the Native American young woman, pregnant, and dealing with some tough issues. The teachers, boring. The other students, boring. The old lady who dies, well, not so boring but definitely too stereo-typical (even more so than the old brothers). The kids are cute, as kids tend to be. . With made-for-tv movies that have slid down the slippery slope to devolve into this washed out stuff, no wonder I belong to a generation that is jaded and cynical. Writers and directors, wise up.
