A letdown

ctomvelu-1

This followup to LOVE COMES SOFTLY follows the further adventures of the pioneering Davis family. Pa Davis (Dale Midkiff) injures himself while splitting wood, putting the farm is in jeopardy. Ma Davis (Katherine Heigl) and Pa Davis's daughter Missie (January Jones, stepping in for Skye Bartusiak from the original), try to keep things going, but the work proves too difficult. Out of nowhere, or so it seems, a handsome young stranger (Logan Bartholomew) appears and helps save the farm. You know the movie is in trouble when the opening credits read "with Dale Midkiff," the star of the first movie. Indeed, Midkiff -- and Heigl -- are relegated to supporting roles while Jones and Bartholomew are moved to the forefront as a sort of Okie version of WUTHERING HEIGHTS' Cathy and Heathcliff. The intensity and strong acting of the first movie are almost completely missing here. Jones in particular is a lackluster Missie, and yet she is expected to carry this tedious TV movie. Hard to believe this was made by the same director as the original.

score 6/10

ctomvelu-1 26 July 2008

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1918506/