Love's Long Journey (2005)

I loved the movie "Love's Long Journey", and actually just finished watching a sequel called "Love's Unending Legacy". The movies were wonderful and very touching, but I was quite disappointed that both (actually all of the Love Saga) movies differed so much from the book. I am a very avid reader and have always preferred books over movies - partially because I find it to be a very rare movie that is true to the book. I did appreciate that the movies' directors stayed true to the faith of their original characters. I would recommend the movies for a great family outing or home-viewing, but I would also recommend that you read the books with your family. My daughters and I shared many happy hours reading the books together.

I love all of the movies in the Love Comes Softly series, but this was my favorite yet! Erin Cottrell and Logan Bartholomew do a great job as Missie and Willie, and there is a lot more action and excitement added to the romance of the first two in this series. God's protection along the way in the LaHaye's family's new life is very evident, and the same heart for others that Missie had in Love's Enduring Promise is clearly seen in this movie. I also loved the sweet friendship between Missie and Miriam, and their willingness and eagerness to help each other out in whatever way they can. Well worth seeing, I can't wait for number 4! Great, clean family movie for all!!!

Preachy, over sentimental television made garbage. Sappy and choppy direction from Michael Landon Jr., the script is laughably bad at times. The score is tedious and mundane. The acting ranges from fair to downright bad. Logan Bartholomew is particularly poor. It does mean well, but good intentions hardly make a good film. The movie's low budget is greatly in evidence. Very little effort was made toward period detail. No originality at all. Been there and seen it many many times before and much better. To make matters worse, it is only available on DVD in a full screen version. Skip this one, and the others in the series for that matter. On the plus side, it's 85 minute length is a blessing. If it was any longer extreme boredom would be added to the list of the film's flaws.

This was a wonderful movie. Great for the whole family to watch. There are some bloopers to note though. Jeff, receives a letter from his older brother Sonny. He is all excited and tells Missy about it. She asks what it says and he says he doesn't know. So she reads it to him because he can't read. But then in the very next scene Willie has invited him to Christmas dinner and Missy asks Jeff to pass out the gifts. Jeff reads each name out loud in an educated voice and passes out the gifts. For someone who can't read, he does a good job of it. He doesn't stumble over the names or anything. Another blooper is when the tree is being decorated. One can tell the tree is absolutely fake. Notice the top of the tree. When the tree is being brought in, it is a real tree, but when it is being decorated it is fake. Another blooper is when Missy is having her baby and Miriam is attending her. Miriam comes to the door to tell Will he has a son. Will walks in and Miriam is bending over Missy, where she was just standing beside him at the door.