The Magic of Ordinary Days (2005) (TV)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Brent Shields

Writers (WGA):

Ann Howard Creel (novel)
Camille Thomasson (teleplay)

Release Date:

30 January 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Pregnant out of wedlock, an educated young woman is pressured by her father into an arranged marriage with a lonely farmer in this drama set during WWII. |

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Keri Russell	...	Livy
Skeet Ulrich	...	Ray Singleton
Mare Winningham	...	Martha
Tania Gunadi	...	Florence
Gwendoline Yeo	...	Rose
Stephen Strachan	...	Hank (as Steve Strachan)
Katie Keating	...	Ruth
Ken Pogue	...	Reverend Case
Eric Winter	...	Walter
Jane McGregor	...	Abby
Daryl Shuttleworth	...	Reverend Dunne
Brayden Bullen	...	Hank Jr.
Sam Dyer	...	Chester
Mary Black	...	Marian Case
Jackie Robbins	...	Mrs. Pratt

Runtime:

120 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Company:

Empire Pictures

Russell and Ulrich shine in "The Magic of Ordinary Days" to raise my opinion of Hallmark movies

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.