Plainsong (2004)

This is a gentle, low key story about a pregnant 17 year old girl whose mother rejects her, and the people who rise to the occasion and care for her. It's very well cast with America Ferrera (the young actress from "Real Women Have Curves) as the girl, Aidan Quinn and Rachel Griffiths as the high school teachers and Megan Follows (Anne Shirley from the wonderful Sullivan Films production of "Anne of Green Gables") as Quinn's wife. It was lovely to see Marion Seldes on screen again too. The story is predictable, but the writing and acting is lovely. If you like gentle dramas and very real characters, this made for TV (Hallmark Hall of Fame) movie will be worth your time.

I loved the book and I loved the tv version. Every actor was superb. I skipped the Sopranos to watch this and I'm glad I did. Bravo to everyone associated with it. Aidan Quinn was so right as the dad and Brenda from Six Feet Under was perfect as the girlfriend. The three seniors in the story were best of all, the two ranchers and the old lady who dies. I could not get over how moving they were. Then there were the two little boys. They were real, not at all actor-y. The film managed to convey and America so at variance from the cold place many of us experience. It almost made me want to head west. One last thing: the thuggy teenager was also fine as were his repulsive parents. BUT BEST OF ALL was the writing.

The movie Plainsong was unlike any other movie I have seen. It was very good. Even though it was set in the country, I found a liking for it. Since it is a Hallmark movie though, some things that would probably be in a motion picture were taken out so the movie could keep it's Hallmark quality. America Ferrera played a role unlike any other that she has been noted for, and sweet Anne of Green Gables' Megan Follows, plays a character totally opposite of Anne. Overall the movie was very good, If it was more descriptive and showed more things, then I'm sure more people would have cried other than just me. I loved the movie a lot and I am going to buy it on DVD. If you would like to buy it, just go to any Hallmark Store near you.

Plainsong is an excellent example of a book that should never have been made into a movie. It would take at least a mini-series to do justice for this novel. ANyone who has not read the book would be lost for a good portion of the film. Aiden Quinn made an excellent performance. Good casting for the McPheron brothers. Because I have read the book, I had high expectations for this movie, even if it was for tv (and Hallmark for that matter). However, the movie did have a 'simplicity' to it, which is the most credit it can get in comparison to its book. I would encourage anyone who found any interest in the film to read the book. In lieu of remakes, I suggest mini-series sans greeting card commercials.