The first time I saw the commercial for this, I wasn't sure whether or not is was a joke. After watching it for a bit, I really thought it was. But then Chris Klein cam on and i had heard of this movie, i realized. So, not to be judgemental, but how corny can things be?
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i thought as much.
Well, people change.
People change?
Yeah, people change.
...Can they change back?
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That's quite a logical leap, and isn't supported in any way by what people are saying. It betrays some bizarre agenda: That everything that isn't violent must be bland. Many of us are raised to expect originality and sincerity in our media - which can easily happen without needing to compromise our standards on family-friendly viewing. For example, look at "Napoleon Dynamite." Any curse words are extremely mild - "heck" and "darn." Napoleon gets hurt riding over a jump on Pedro's bike, and Lyle shoots a cow offscreen. The main characters find dates, and one character gets married. And the strong overall moral has to do with being yourself. Sounds pretty evil, huh? They managed to do all that, resonate with people of all ages, and do so in a way that's not corny or hackneyed.
There are plenty of movies made for families each and every year by people who don't believe that "clean" and "stupid" need to be synonymous. "Valley of Light" may be the former, but it is also certainly the latter, and that's a shame for everyone involved in this schlockfest. When a movie is so superficially sentimental and tired that viewers initially think it's a parody, perhaps it's time to reevaluate the script, and reevaluate why we're fine with clean programs insulting our intelligence.
I thought Chris Klein did a fantastic job in this role and I would even go as far as saying it was Emmy worthy in my opinion. I enjoyed this movie very much and look foward to getting the DVD later this month. Sorry you didn't enjoy it but many did as it was so nice to watch something decent on TV for a change.
shareI thought the entire Movie was very disappointing!!!!
First of all, the Title - The Valley of Light. Well, the first hour and a half - it was enjoyable - I saw the Light - but when a main character died near the end, the story was full of darkness. After that point, I disliked it very much. Whatever joy the show had in the beginning was diminissed in the end. I would never watch this story again. I don't understand why anyone who saw this - would want to purchase it on dvd. Very sad and not good for children, in my opinion.
I don't agree that the entire movie was disappointing (this, because of the great scenery, acting, atmospheric rendition of 1940's post-war rural America, etc.), but I wholeheartedly agree about the ending. Why such a dark and downbeat ending to an otherwise potentially great story? Why not give the viewer (especially younger viewers) an ending imbued with a bit more hope and inspiration??
How about an ending where, for example, Noah succeeds in getting mute Matthew to speak (finally), and, Noah and Eleanor get married and succeed in adopting Matthew as their new son? Hey, it's no worse than the stinker of an ending they left us with. In other words, this movie lacked in positives to offset the negatives.
Maybe I missed something, but this movie - namely, the way it ended - left a big hole in my life.
If watching a movie can leave a hole in your life, you need to get out of the house and live a bit more. I mean that in the most sincere and caring way possible. Life itself has more meaning than any movie could hope to impart. This is coming from a guy who spends a great deal of time watching TV.
Most stories are intended to teach a lesson or entertain. Some do both while some manage neither. Some are never intended to do either and it is not the job of the storyteller to only tell stories that uplift, enliven, or even wizen their audiences. The job of a storyteller is to tell a story. Some do their job better than others. If you don't like their story, read or watch another, or write your own.
Reading over this thread, I felt the need to say that I, too, thought the promo for this movie was a put-on, not because I thought the story idea sounded necessarily contrived, but because it just doesn't seem to fit the pattern I'm used to seeing on network TV. Honestly, I thought I had tuned in to a new sketch comedy show. It was that funny to me. When I realized it was for real, I wondered how well they could pull this thing off.
The story isn't perfect, and the telling of it may have some flaws, but it's neither overly saccharine or unrealistically tragic.
My biggest problem with it is that they cast Zach Mills, a brilliant young actor with an incredible voice talent, as a mute. But I guess he's got to have a chance to display his talents beyond mere elocution to be taken seriously, which from his bio it appears he has. Way to go, Zach!
I agree with all the complimentary comments made about set, scenery, etc. and the serene mood. What can be said about this movie that does not contradict anything anyone has written in this thread so far, is that it is unique. Maybe it bears further viewing and scrutiny before making a final judgment, unless, of course, it starts making holes in your life, in which case, you should discontinue use and see a doctor as soon as possible.
well scoey regarding Zach Mills, if it makes you feel better, Zach lent his voice to the Hallmark Film "Sweet Nothings in My Ear". So he was mute in one of their films, and the voice of a deaf boy in the other. One day maybe his face AND voice will make it into the same Hallmark film. haha Here's hoping. :)
shareYes, you missed something, namely the ending. Yes, there was a sad scene, but it was a Hallmark movie, so that shouldn't surprise anyone.
The way the movie ended was Noah letting go of his grief -- not just the grief over the child, but all his grief and pain from the war, and his brother -- and then he returned to the valley. What happens after his return to the valley is another story, but the "bit more hope and inspiration" you want were in the closing lines as he dictates a letter to his brother. The positives were there, for anyone who didn't turn off the TV 20 minutes early.
Agreed. I more often than not hate movies where someone especially important to the main characters dies. However this story was done in such a way that while I was saddened by it I didn't hate it. I much prefer the upbeat happy movies but this is not a comedy. This deals with the aspects of life we all deal with, happiness, sadness, anger, frustration, jealousy, guilt and all without excessive viewing violence and gratuitous sex, etc that is found on TV.
Noah was already dealing with so much loss. His parents, his bothers incarceration, memories of the war. But he started to find happiness in this town. Then tragedy strikes by mere accident. Life is full of ups and downs and this movie, I think, showed that and that it's okay and good to find our way out of that darkness. Find peace with the sadness and make the most of the joy as it comes.
I love this movie and I absolutely bought in on DVD.
cuckoo and Lily those are both really good descriptions. What I loved about this movie was that it made the point of showing that life does not give us a finite amount of grief. Bad things happen to good people and sometimes more bad things happen. Noah was a broken person who even in the face of more tragedy, learned to accept and take the risk of feeling joy. I found comfort in knowing that since Noah had met an angel, Matthew was likely one too.
It's a five hanky to be sure and I initially felt it took me to too dark a place, but ultimately I felt the story called for feeling the depth of Noah's grief in order to feel lifted by his acceptance, and his choice to take the risk of an uncertain future, to be with someone he loves.
I agree with you completely, Lily! The movie depicts a wide range of human emotions, portrays serious human values through the characters and gives us a "slice of life" which captures a wide-ranging view of the complexities and turmoils of the human condition. I thought that Chris Klien was superb in the role he played.
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