A Place Called Home

This has big-time Hallmarky vibes all the way through, but that's not really a bad thing--it's nice to see a movie once in a while that doesn't have to be muted when the kids or Grandma come in the room (if people even have the propriety to do that these days.) I'd been unable to find this particular movie on any of the 12 zillion tv channels we get--there are others with similar titles---so I bought the dvd, and was impressed with the crystal-clear print and gorgeously photographed locales.

Speaking of gorgeous: even portraying a senior citizen, Ann-Margret's beauty still stuns--and, talented lady that she is, she's convincing as the imperiled but strong-willed widow. She has good chemistry with Gary Sandy as the local doc.

(Rusty Martin and Andy Travis? Who'da thunk it?) Main nitpicks from my viewpoint: the rest of the characters, good guys and bad, are a tad one-dimensional and their dialogue (much of which is spoken too fast, especially by the young father) tends to be drowned out by nearly-constant background music. The wandering-dad-and-kid schtick also leaves you wondering why social services wasn't on to them long before. But those things aside......it's worth a watch, for an old-fashioned 'feel-good' story, beautiful scenery, and Ann-Margret.