Rachel Griffiths and Aidan Quinn in "Plainsong"
courtesy of Hallmark Hall of Fame
"Plainsong" (Hallmark Hall of Fame)

The Hallmark Hall of Fame returns to Sunday night and to a sweetly gentle story, with their presentation of "Plainsong" on April 25. This moving story about a group of people who share each other's lives is one of the most enjoyable and touching presentations this famed series has had in a few years. Aidan Quinn and Rachel Griffiths star and they head a cast of first rate actors who bring the story to vibrant life.

Tom Guthrie (Quinn) lives and teaches in a small community on the outskirts of Denver, Colorado. He and his wife Ella (Megan Fellows) have two sons, Ike (Mick Hazen) and Bobby (Cody Arens). When the story opens Ella is suffering from acute depression and has decided to leave her family and go stay with her sister in Denver.

Tom holds the family together and his sons help out. They have a paper route which gives them a chance to visit with Iva Stearns (Marian Seldes), an elderly woman who likes their company.

Maggie Jonas (Griffiths) is a fellow teacher of Tom's who is attracted to him. She is divorced and lives with her father. She has befriended one of her students (America Ferrara) who is pregnant and unmarried. Maggie arranges for Victoria (Ferrara) to stay with the McPheron brothers after her mother kicks her out of her home.

All of these stories intertwine and each person is affected by the lives of the others with whom they come in contact. And in the end each person's life is enriched from the friendship each has made.

This is a beautifully acted and photographed movie. Its simple story moves the heart and the actors add emotional resonance to it. The Hallmark Hall of Fame is famous for this type of presentation and this is one of this series' best.

For a film that will warm your heart, this is a movie not to miss. Mark it down and tune in. It is Hallmark Hall of Fame's "Plainsong" and it airs on CBS, Sunday April 25 at 9PM.

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

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