The Magic of Ordinary Days

'The Magic of Ordinary Days' - the phrase itself is so evocative and beautiful! I didn't know anything about this film or the actors, but when I read the title I knew I had to see it! I loved the languorous feel of this film - everything was tranquil and measured as if the people who had invited you into their home wanted you to take your time and internalize it! I also liked the music. It added a lot to the film! The story had depth and the characters were well etched and rendered by both Keri Russell and Skeet Ulrich. Ulrich especially was amazing! He rendered his character with great subtlety, control and grace. Keri Russell was also really good in her role. Both the actors succeeded in evoking empathy and as an audience you really wanted them to be together and not be parted!

Brent Shields has almost become synonymous with Hallmark, he's either produced or directed most of the Hallmark films I've liked! I really appreciate Hallmark for making such films! Amongst all the pretentious films around, they have consistently made small, meaningful and memorable films! I'm glad that they truly believe in their tag line "Where great stories come to life"!

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.

I can't recall who said it, but someone once remarked that most people can handle the crises in their lives. But the aftermath of a given crisis, the day to day living one returns to is the tough part. That is what Keri Russell faces when during World War II days she is left pregnant during a romance with a soldier who up and left her.

In those days illegitimate birth was quite the stigma to the child and the mother bearing it. So in The Magic Of Ordinary Days Skeet Ulrich who has an agricultural exemption and one lonely life as a farmer agrees to marry her and take the child as his own.

Those kind of arrangements usually don't work out, but in this case the various crises the face plus just the ordinary day to day living trying to keep that farm running causes bonds between them to start and grow. It's not easy as Russell is college educated and Ulrich is just a man of the soil.

One of the side issues is the internment of the Japanese and a pair of Nisei girls, Tania Gunadi and Gwendolyn Yeo, arrive as farm workers. Their relatives are either interred or part of the Nisei 442nd Division fighting in the European theater. Russell is one of the few who treats them like human beings. Young Ms. Yeo is quite a handful to deal with also.

This is a very good Hallmark Channel with the leads getting good support from the ensemble cast.

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!

I was at home one day a few weeks ago, off sick from work, and caught this movie during the day on one of our movie channels. I was expecting it to be sugary sweet - enough to make your teeth hurt - but the sweetness was restrained. I really enjoyed this movie! The plot was well-written, the character were wholly believable and it was not totally predictable. It made me want to be swept off by a big-hearted country gentleman. Haven't seen Skeet in a while, and was pleasantly surprised by his work in this movie. I've always liked Keri Russell (I think it may be curly-hair envy). Definitely a chick-flick, but one that I would like to own and watch more than once. Well done!