This film has been a hit every time we screened it. A simple, warm family story situated in nineteenth century USA. Likeable characters; good acting. Duration: 1 hour and 24 minutes. Starring: Katherine Heigl (as Marty), Dale Midkiff (as Clark Davis) and Skye McCole Bartusiak (as Missie). Based on the novel of the same name by Janette Oke, which sold more than thirty million copies. When the movie was telecast, it received Hallmark Channel’s highest ratings ever.
Marty and her husband Aaron, recently married, leave their homes in the Eastern part of the US and travel West, looking for land. Marty’s obstinate character comes through in the way she argues with Aaron, although she is wrong. As she would later admit, “I was sure of myself and full of pride. I was in control—or so I thought.”
Very soon, Marty realizes that she is not in control. Aaron dies in a fall.
As Marty weeps at his grave, a stranger appears, with a very unusual proposal. His name is Clark Davis, a widower, who has a nine-year old daughter called Missie. Clark tells Marty, “Ma’am, I know is the wrong time and the wrong place…But, if you agree to my proposal, my daughter will have a mother…If you are not happy with the arrangement, I will pay for your ride back to the East after winter.”
Friends coax Marty to accept Clark’s proposal. “You need a roof over your head.”
Heart-broken and in need of a home, Marty reluctantly says yes to Clark’s proposal, and goes with him.
Missie, a spirited youngster, hates this new woman who has taken the place of her mother, whom she misses terribly. In spite of the evident mutual dislike between Marty and the child, Clark believes Marty will find a way to Missie’s heart. Will she?
There are touching conversations, humorous and very human scenes of Marty’s struggle, the changing relationship between Marty and Missie, the birth of Marty’s and Aaron’s baby, and the love that slowly develops between Clark and Marty.
But Marty is going back, with her child from Aaron. Clark and Missie are heart-broken once again. Will Marty stay? How to make her stay? As she tells Clark when he pleads with her to stay, “If I stay, it should be for the right reasons.” Will their love make Marty stay?
An enjoyable movie. See it. Screen it. Discuss it.
Points for discussion :
- Marty goes with Clark because she needs a roof over her head. Whether marriage or religious life, our initial motivation need not be mature or perfect.
- What brings about the change in Marty’s character and in the relationship between her and Missie, is Clark’s character. He is a gentle, responsible and strong man, ready to wait, patient, who will not take advantage of Marty.
- Marty’s words to Clark after his frantic, exhausting ride to reach her, can be said of marriage or celibate life: “If I stay, it should be for the right reason.” The right reason, in both settings, is LOVE.
- Love, as a more mature woman explains to Marty, is not something dramatic. We can learn to love each other gradually. In this sense, “love comes softly.”
To subscribe to the magazine Contact Us
