The Locket

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.

At the start of the movie a man is caring for his dying mother. We later find out his father was a drunk who left them. After the mother dies, the man goes to work in an elegant nursing home and meets Esther, a bitter elderly woman played convincingly by Vanessa Redgrave. Both of them help each other resolve problems from their pasts. In Esther's case, a man named Thomas went to war without knowing how she felt about him. Both ended up marrying other spouses and the romance that could have been was not allowed to happen. The man sees Esther's and Thomas' pictures in a locket and tries to find Thomas. Meanwhile, the man ends up losing his girlfriend when she goes away to school, and her father wants him to stay away from her so she will complete her education. Esther also persuades the man to confront his father. The movie gets quite interesting after the man dates a co-worker who ends up causing trouble for him; she only works at the home because of family connections, and does not have the real concern for people her job would require. A pleasant family movie with some adult situations but no sex or bad language and only hints of and discussions about violence.

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.

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.

"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