The Magic of Ordinary Days

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.

I liked "The Magic of Ordinary Days" very much because of a combination of things. Set in Colorado in 1944, the movie follows Livy, wonderfully played by Keri Russell. After a brief relationship with a soldier, Livy finds herself pregnant. Her father, a minister, arranges for her to marry a farmer who lives in rural Colorado, but Livy is not happy with the situation, especially since she was pursuing a masters degree in Denver. Ray, the farmer, is willing to marry her and raise the baby with her though. Skeet Ulrich is the shy Ray and is also absolutely wonderful in the role. Russell and Ulrich are great together, even though Livy and Ray seem quite mismatched in the beginning. The movie shows the progression of their relationship as Livy's eyes are opened by the love that surrounds her: from Ray and from his sister and her family, but especially from Ray. Ulrich gives his character a love for Livy so deep that he would do anything for her. Their relationship is tested though when Livy's sister visits and offers to take her back to Denver.

I usually find Hallmark movies to be quite cheesy, but "The Magic of Ordinary Days" is a love story given great depth and played out beautifully by Russell and Ulrich. I recommend it to anyone looking for a cute, feel-good movie with very good acting.

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.

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!