MOVIE REVIEW
Movie: Anne of Green Gables: The Good Stars
Network: in Canada: on YTV
Original Air Date in Canada: February 20, 2017
Original Air Date in the United States: November 23, 2017
*See the Movie Trailer below...
*"Anne of Green Gables: The Good Stars" is the second of three films - in this series! (see details on the third movie below!)
*In America, PBS played the first movie in this series- "L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables" on Thanksgiving day, November 24, 2016. See details - HERE!
PBS will again air Anne on Thanksgiving Day... "Anne of Green Gables: The Good Stars," the second tele-film in this series, will air in the US on November 23, 2017.
CAST:
Ella Ballentine ... Anne Shirley
Martin Sheen ... Matthew Cuthbert
Sara Botsford ... Marilla Cuthbert
Amariah Faulkner ... Jane Andrews
Julia Lalonde ... Diana Barry
Stefani Kimber ... Josie Pye
Aviv Cohen ... Minnie Andrews
Drew Haytaoglu ... Gilbert Blythe
Zoe Fraser ... Ruby Gillis
*Hallmark Christmas movie fans may recognize Ella Ballentine (Anne Shirley) from "Baby's First Christmas," Julia Lalonde (Diana Barry) from "Catch a Christmas Star," and Sara Botsford (Marilla Cuthbert) from "Christmas Incorporated!"
*I also had the pleasure of interviewing young Ella for her role in Baby's First Christmas, back in 2012! See that interview, HERE!
PLOT:
Storyline via Breakthrough Entertainment: (via Lucy Maud Montgomery online)
When Anne Shirley turns thirteen, she faces complex issues with her friends, inspirational adults and Marilla and Matthew. At the same time, she begins a friendship with Gilbert Blythe that emotionally escalates to disrupt the status quo of her peaceful world. Her free-spirited nature is challenged by her perceived need to become sensible, and her journey toward this goal is fraught with confusion and more than a few unfortunate – albeit, amusing – mishaps.
Through school events and playtime after class, Anne continues to deepen her bosom friendship with Diana Barry. It almost sours when she frightens the living daylights out of Diana’s elderly Aunt Josephine. Just when all is forgiven, their friendship faces an even more profound test when Anne begins to spend more time with Gilbert.
Meanwhile, at Green Gables, Matthew’s health begins to slide. During an outing into the forest he becomes disoriented and must rely on Anne to find their way home. He implores Anne to hide the incident from Marilla. Anne struggles with her promise to Matthew but she’s not one to harbor secrets. In the end, she confesses to Marilla and wrestles with the burden of her betrayal to Matthew.
The rising tension between Anne, her girlfriends and Gilbert culminates with a daring river rescue. Gilbert saves Anne and relishes his moment as her hero. Although Anne is grateful to Gilbert, she must make a decision that breaks his heart.
"L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables: The Good Stars" is the second of three films. The third movie "L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables: Fire and Dew," is planned to premiere on YTV (in Canada) on July 1, 2017. And, we can expect to see the third movie in the U.S. on PBS in 2018!
"L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables: The Good Stars" Trailer:
Movie Review:
Coming...
See or Skip:
Coming...
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Hi Net,
ReplyDeleteI missed the airing of Anne of Green Gables over Thanksgiving, any future showings that you know of?
Thanks!
I haven't heard of any repeat airings, yet, but I sure hope so - it was such a sweet family film. Ella Ballentine was delightful as young Anne Shirley!
DeleteI was disappointed in this. Being I saw all of the Megan Follows version, several times. This just didn't measure up at all. It's the same exact manuscript. But it doesn't have the same heart that Megan brought to the screenplay. The lady playing Marilla was less caustic than Colleen Dewhurst. And Richard Farnsworth who played Matthew in the 1985 version was much more meek and mild than Martin Sheen played it. I guess if you haven't seen the originals, this was good, but if you did, then this is sadly lacking in in believability.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean, Cathie. I'm sure it's tough for them to be compared to the original Anne of Green Gables movies. Megan Follows portrayed Anne in such a magnificent way, I can't imagine the pressure of trying to be like her. It's impossible. But, I think they are trying to tell the story in a different way, exploring more of the stories, perhaps, from Lucy Maud Montgomery's books, that were not all told in the original films.
DeleteStand alone, as you said, it is indeed, a good family film, but my heart, too, belongs with the original and all the dear actors and actresses who not only portrayed, but became these characters, in my mind forever!
Ella Ballentine is precious and delightful, full of energy, and excitement for life - as I always imagine our dear Anne Shirley. Hopefully, we will able to watch this new chapter as well - sometime this year!!!