The Locket

After reading the mostly glowing comments about this movie I decided to rent it despite some suspicions of TV movies. I should have followed my instincts.

I tried so hard to warm up to the movie and find merit in it but I just couldn't. The story never draws you in or rings true and the acting is perfunctory at best and laughable at worst. Everything in this production is amateurish.

Always a joy to watch, Mary McDonnell may be the only performer to escape this disaster without damaging her career or reputation. I won't even bother checking the name of the leading man - hopefully he's back doing commercials.

Even poor Vanessa Redgrave, whom I adore and respect, seemed to be channeling Katherine Hepburn all the time appearing as if she were really drugged in the home. Maybe she needed the money.

If I can save one person from wasting 100 minutes on this tripe I will feel vindicated.

This movie starts out teasing us with a young romance and then introducing us to a might-have-been love story of the past as seen through the eyes of Vanessa Redgrave's character, Esther. I think Esther's story is really the main focus of the movie.

There is another subplot about Michael's father which plays into the story with Esther.

A little more than halfway through the movie takes a bitter and unrelated turn which briefly distracts from Esther's story although it does serve as a tool to enhance the other one. I was disgusted by this turn. I saw no warning whatsoever of this turn into a completely different genre which dominates the story through the next 34 minutes of run time. After watching the movie, I surveyed other reviews and one spoiler by orient_celts describes it. I watch the particular genres offered by Hallmark to avoid where this movie briefly went which is a subject I avoid like the plague in fiction.

I didn't see enough to sell the ending as far as it concerns Michael's relationship status. The end of Esther's story is good.

The acting is mixed. I thought Redgrave was credible, and McDonnell who had a lesser part. Others not so much.

This story, set in a nursing home, is more than it at first appears. With a thickening plot and emotional turmoil building, a young man named Michael (played well by Chad Willet) cares for an elderly woman named Esther (played very well by Vanessa Redgrave). Or is it that Esther cares for Michael? One part I didn't like much was in a dance setting (kissing), but overall it was a very decent film with no swearing. With great acting a touching story, this is another winner from Hallmark Hall of Fame.

Well done to Hallmark for this excellent movie. This is a 'love' story which at the same time examines forgiveness, betrayal, jealousy and ultimately taking the opportunities in life when love comes along. The male lead gives a fine performance yet the real star is Vanessa Redgrave; this actress has such depth and radiance that she dominates the movie with her enormous charisma, charm and screen presence. Without doubt a super star.

"The Locket" is filled with hurt, love, anger, forgiveness, kindness, and regret. I was captured by the screenplay and the acting. This is a wonderful film about many of life's lessons as taught to Michael Keddington by a lonely old lady, Esther Huish. She shows Michael to follow his heart, not to be just "realistic" or "practical." She shows him that he is hurting himself by harboring feelings of hate and anger towards his own father. While sometimes slow moving, this film captures the recipe for leading a wonderful and fulfilling life. This film is another reason why Hallmark Hall of Fame has been so successful over the years. They keep producing films that are entertaining yet free from graphic violence, sex and language. Vanessa Redgrave gives a wonderful performance and her fans will thoroughly enjoy her in the role of Esther Huish. "The Locket" is pure gold! James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 1/8/2020