La magie de l'amour

This is one of the best, most heartwarming and well acted movies I have seen in a long, long time. I immediately fell in love with all of the characters, especially Ray, portrayed beautifully by Skeet Ulrich. His inflections and mannerisms are superb. Keri Russell has outdone herself as Livy, with her timeless manners and elegant sophistication in handling an awkward situation during an unforgiving era. This is a poignant drama that evokes emotions long since lost in ordinary, mundane television. Congratulations to Hallmark and CBS for providing such outstanding broadcasting, and hats off to Mr. Ulrich...this role is Emmy-Worthy!

In this Hallmark made-for-television movie, two young performers (Keri Russell and Skeet Ulrich) offer thoughtful character portrayals in the heartland of America during World War II. After becoming pregnant by a soldier (who never appears in the film), a young woman is forced to marry virtually by proxy; she is sent to the Midwest by her stern father and accepts a total stranger, Ray, as her husband. The film focuses on the bonding of a decent man of the earth and the more worldly, educated Livy. The film was earnest in its portrayal of the two main characters. There is also some beautiful cinematography of the American heartland. Although I did not find the overall effect of the film entirely plausible (including Livy's relationship with two Japanese women internment victims working the fields), I nonetheless applaud the Hallmark organization for a tasteful effort. Even the Hallmark commercials were refreshing when compared with the annoying generic commercials on television today.

There's almost an Edna Ferber type of rural romantic fiber lurking in THE MAGIC OF ORDINARY DAYS, about a pregnant young woman (Keri Russell) whose father arranges a marriage for her with a farmer (Skeet Ulrich), an arrangement which leads very slowly to their mutual love.

It reminds me so much of the sort of tales Ferber would tell, particularly "So Big" which starred Jane Wyman and Sterling Hayden years ago, as a couple who gradually adjust to each other in a strained relationship.

Beautifully photographed in rural settings, it's almost a two-character tale, depending exclusively on the subtle performances of Ulrich and Russell. Both display talent, utterly convincing as the shy newlyweds who have trouble with the new arrangement until they manage to find common ground and mutual respect.

It's a slow moving character study, but worth a look if you like this sort of intimate tale, helped somewhat by the WWII subplot involving Japanese girl neighbors who befriend the wife, but never going too far astray of the central theme of loneliness on the part of two people searching for love.

Summing up: A much better than average Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie.

During World War II, Livy was studying to be an archaeologist when she got pregnant, and she ended up in an arranged marriage to Ray, a kind but boring farmer who lived miles from most of the 'modern conveniences'. Livy tried hard to adjust to her new life but sometimes wondered if she had made a mistake. It helped that Ray's sister Martha treated her so warmly, and there were plenty of activities in the nearby towns, and caring people.

Ray needed help on his farm, and like many area farmers, he used Japanese from internment camps. Livy met two very nice and quite articulate Japanese girls, Rose and her sister Florie, who turned out to have been born in this country and quite educated. Ray cared little about the Japanese, thinking of them as needed to do farm work--and besides, his brother died at Pearl Harbor. We are reminded more than once that a war is going on--there are German POWs in the area, and the young Japanese women did explain what happened to their family.

Keri Russell did a good job as Livy, and Skeet Ulrich's Ray showed amazing patience with his wife. Mare Winningham was also good as Martha, and the two Japanese actresses were quite charming, though Florie smiled a little too much. Rose had almost no accent and Gwendoline Yeo made her quite dignified.

This was a pleasant family film, with almost nothing to keep children from watching. Even the references to premarital sex were handled quite tastefully.

I was very eager to see this film and I wasn't disappointed. This is a great chick flick film, especially for those who love period dramas. It was a wonderful experience to watch 2 people thrust together to find contentment, and then love. Keri Russell and Skeet Ulrich were wonderful as the newly married couple. The only downside to this film was the subplot involving the Japanese interment girls. It took away from the pace of the film. The rest of the supporting cast filled in nicely. There was indeed some magic in this film. Some may argue its to fake for their taste, but I loved the film. Overall it was a wonderful film. I give it 7.5 out of 10 stars! I can't wait till it comes out on DVD!