Love's Abiding Joy

MOVIE REVIEW

Love's Abiding Joy


Network: Hallmark Channel

CAST:

Erin Cottrell ... Missie LaHaye
Dale Midkiff ... Clark Davis
Logan Bartholomew ... Willie LaHaye
Frank McRae ... Cookie
William Morgan Sheppard ... Scottie
Drew Tyler Bell ... Jeff LaHaye
Brett Coker ... Mattie LaHaye
Mae Whitman ... Colette Doros
John Laughlin ... Samuel Doros
Kevin Gage ... John Abel
Brianna Brown ... Melinda Klein
James Tupper ... Henry Klein
Stephen Bridgewater ... Frank Taylorson
Blake Gibbons ... Joe Paxson
Madison Leisle ... Annie

PLOT:

from RHI:

From Janette Oke's award-winning, bestselling series comes the inspiring new chapter in the life of one family's unyielding perseverance and struggle, and the tragedy that tests their abiding faith.

Missie (Erin Cottrell, Carloine in Little House on the Prairie Movie Mini-series) and Willie LeHaye (Logan Bartholomew, Love's Enduring Promise) have put down roots and raised a fine family in a homestead in the far West. While Missie fulfills her ambition for teaching twelve eager students, fours days a week, Willie tends to their youngest daughter Kathy, and with the help of his sons Jeff and Matthew, keeps their growing ranch as stable and prosperous as he can. Best of all, with a frontier railroad now coming through town, Missie's father, Clark Davis (Dale Midkiff, Nancy Drew), makes good on his promise for a long-awaited visit. But the joy that comes with the family reunion is shattered by the sudden passing of their beloved daughter, Kathy, a tragedy that marks a turning point in the lives of the LaHayes.

As an emotional wedge gradually comes between Missie and Willie, the grieving father makes a drastic change in his career. Without consulting Missie, Willie accepts the offer made by arrogant local moneyman, Samuel Doros (John Laughlin, The Rock), who also owns the school, to act as the town's newly appointed sheriff. It's a job that has its own share of dangers that will affect Willie's son Jeff, (Drew Tyler Bell, The Bold and the Beautiful) who falls for Doros's daughter Colette (Mae Whitman, JAG). Through grief, heartache, first love, and second chances, the LaHayes discover the only thing they really need is the one thing they'll never lose - faith and the enduring bond of family.

Janette Oke's cherished series of novels has warmed the hearts of millions. Now share her vision of inspiration in Love's Abiding Joy.

Movie Review:

While it was good to see all the same beloved characters: Clark, Missie, & Willie... the storyline itself was so deeply sad. The loss of their baby girl, understandably, brings a great depression and dark mood over Missie. It takes a great deal of time, compassion, and love to see her through it, and Willie, her husband, is steadfast, patient, caring, and kind... while also dealing with his sadness over the loss of their daughter.

The highlight of this movie, in my opinion, is the forbidden love of Willie and Missie's son, Jeff with Collette. In spite of her father, doing his best to keep them apart, they meet each other secretly, and True Love Conquers All!


See or Skip:

See, another interesting story in the Love Comes Softly Movie series.

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