My wife, Margot, is the guest blogger here today. I asked her to give you her opinion of this frontier saga. Thank you Margot.
A Made For TV Movie: The Hallmark Channel
Directed by Lou Diamond Phillips
Teleplay by Rachel Stuhler
Synopsis of the story:
The frontier town of Sikeston, Missouri needs a doctor. They are desperate enough to hire someone who just graduated from John Hopkins Medical School. As soon as Doctor Belinda Simpson (Sarah Jones) arrives in town she steps into a medical emergency and a controversy.
There is an epidemic of influenza in town and some residents are blaming the children in the orphanage, where there are the most illnesses and deaths. One man in particular, Ray Russell (Lou Diamond Phillips), wants the orphans run out of town. Within minutes of examining the ill children, Belinda diagnoses the illness as the deadly cholera. In addition to killing people, the residents of the town know cholera is the disease of poverty and uncleanliness. The mayor, Maxwell Evans (Patrick Duffy), fears word of cholera could turn his boom town into an instant ghost town. Many people now turn against the new doctor for her diagnosis.
There are a few people willing to help the doctor, primarily the young and handsome blacksmith, Jordan Bridges (Lee Owens). Hattie Clarence (Cloris Leachman), the matron of the orphanage, is also on Belinda’s side. These two also try to help Belinda overcome the loss of her husband and the resulting loss of her faith.
My Opinion:
This story comes from the Love Comes Softly series of books by Janet Oke which feature frontier stories involving faith issues. I’ve read probably four or five of the books and watched about that many of the movie versions. I particularly enjoyed the first movie in the series starring Katherine Heigel (of Grey’s Anatomy fame).
This movie was a disappointment to me in several ways. First, the dialogue and mannerisms seemed more twenty-first century than nineteenth century. Sarah Jones, who played Doctor Belinda, was rude and snippy most of the time. I expected her to be feisty but I felt she should have played the part in a more respectful manner that would have fit the times.
There was hardly any flap about a woman doctor. Women doctors were very rare in those days. Most people were surprised she was the doctor, not the nurse. Other than surprise, no one got worked up about a woman in charge of saving the town from this deadly disease. I also didn’t like the happily-ever-after ending. It just felt tacked on to the story.
What I did like was the setting for the movie. The exterior shots of the town and frontier life was excellent. The interiors, the furniture and other furnishings fit in with what I thought it should look like at that time. Maybe even a little too nice.
I also like the performances of the supporting cast. Patrick Duffy and Cloris Leachman were quite believable. One of the orphan girls, Lillian played by Annalise Basso, also did an excellent job.
The parts in the story about Belinda’s loss of faith were handled fairly well. A little preachy, but not bad. Cloris Leachman did a good job with that.
Can I recommend it? If you’re looking for a story depicting the times, I’d skip this one. If you’re looking for a feel-good story, this one will do. If you’re looking for a movie the whole family can pick apart just for the fun of it, watch this one.
