Love's Unending Legacy (2007)

It's three years after Missie LaHaye lost her husband Willie shot in the line of duty as sheriff. She moves back east to her parents Marty Davis and Clark Davis with her young son Mattie. She takes the teaching job. She adopts bitter orphan Belinda who is the last without a home. Her little brother Jacob had been taken by the Pettises looking for a farm hand. Sheriff Zack Tyler falls for Missie.The adoption story is compelling. The overall feel is a bit disjointed especially at the beginning. The story improves as it concentrates more on Belinda and the adoption. That's the more dramatic part and a real tear jerker. This is a sincere faith-based movie. It's the fifth in the series. The TV movie does have its charms but also has its limitations.

The fifth one in the Hallmark's 'Love Comes Softly' movie series. Once again the story skips to a couple of years forward. I remembered last time I said the movie was better than what others thought about it, but this time it was not the same case. It was a little letdown, especially in the first half.After losing the husband, Willie, in the line of duty, Missie and her son Mattie moves back to be near with her parents and to start afresh life. It is a changed town now, less opportunities and more competitive for everything. Missie decline's her parents offer to help her financially. The mother and son rent a small house and settles down with enough earnings to support themselves. Until one day an orphan girl joins them and changes the course of the narration in a new direction."I couldn't save Jenny... And you couldn't save Kathy. But we can save Jacob."The first three films were so good in the series, but I kind of feeling it beginning to decline as the rest of the movies followed, especially since the previous one. It was so wonderful to introduce some interesting characters, but did not capitalised with the fetchable scenes. In this, the second half was so much better than the first. The movie regained its strength because of what came forth. Otherwise, it would have been the worst in the series, but still it is like the least satisfying film by far.Eliminating the character, Willie, was severely criticised from all the quarters, that mean the movie is not following the book as it should have been. I think being accurate to the book might have brought the justice. But I won't come to any conclusion comparing with both the format since I have not read the book. They might have thought changes could give a new look for those who have read the book, but seems the idea did not clinch well.The two new characters and their quest were the highlight. Some of the issues it talked were inspired by the real ones. From the societal perspective that was a good thing. Kind of refreshes from the regular perspective of the storytelling like ranch, school, especially deaths. Yep, so far, the series had deaths in each film, but none in this one. There was one prior to this story commence, which was kind of told in a flashback or from recollecting the memory. Anyway, it was a passable product, like as always hoping to get better in the next.6½/10

What could have been a good TV movie was weakened by an overdone and unsuitable musical score. I found this was an annoyance during the first half of the movie. Performances overall were not that bad but the this mood music (that didn't seem to suit a western film) played over the actors as they spoke in many scenes and this became a real distraction.In one scene, which takes place in the church, a pastor is asking a congregation to volunteer to take care of homeless children lined up across the platform behind him. All the dialog in this scene is underscored by this deep emotional mood music which is unnecessary and distracting.

*might contain spoilers*When looking up this movie, I noticed another movie due out later this year. I wonder if they had to rush this one in some fashion given they had two so close together. This might explain the somewhat lackluster nature of the film in some respects.Still, I overall appreciated the film, though you saw what was happening a mile away. Missy was good here, the actress playing the role emotionally true. The foster daughter also was decent enough, a few very touching scenes. As to the locket mentioned, I do think that was handled a bit badly ... like just as a set-up device. The whole thing did seem a bit rushed/thin at spots, but overall, it still had some true heart. Given the number of films already out there, it still having such life is impressive.A word on the new mother ... the original obviously off the bigger things. She had some illness (maybe it was explained at some point, I didn't see all of the film or series). She also seemed to have a slight accent (Southern?) that the original didn't have. But, she did a good job in her role, fairly small, but a few important scenes.As to the hubby dying at the beginning, I didn't mind it ... as to the flashback bits, I think they did the job adequately enough. In real life in the late 19th century, life was perilous, and a sheriff is a risky job. Of course, we have a plot device and parallels to the original film in a fashion.I actually liked parts of this better than the past two, of which I had trouble getting into in some ways. Overall, a bit thin, surely, but worth a look for fans.