When We Last Spoke, starring Melissa Gilbert, Corbin Bernsen, and Cloris Leachman, is a quirky and heartwarming film on faith, family, and forgiveness. Recent multi-award winner [Best Picture, Best Narrative, Best Supporting Actress, a Silver Award for Best Actress and a Bronze Award for Best Actor] at the Crown Awards at the 2021 National Religious Broadcasters Convention, the movie is based on the book by Marci Henna. When We Last Spoke is available on DVD or streaming.
SYNOPSIS:In
1967, two sisters are abandoned and raised by grandparents in the town
of Fireside. Humor, heartbreak and triumph are served with whipped cream
and lots of local nuts in this heartwarming tale of family, friendship
and forgiveness. The story is narrated by the adult Juliet (Lacy Camp) in mostly flashbacks of Juliet (Darby Camp) and Evangeline (Chandler Head; adult - Alicia Fusting) whose dad (Donny Boaz) is in Vietnam.
REVIEW: I enjoyed the film. The well-known actors gave solid performances and I thought the rest of the cast performed well. To be honest, I read the book several years ago and liked it, but didn't love it; something seemed to be missing for me. The actors put flesh on the characters and brought them to life in a most satisfactory way. I was able to fill more emotionally attached. There were poignant moments but the movie stayed mostly lighthearted. There were also a few examples of turning the bad into something beautiful that appealed to me.
The soundtrack is great! I was 12 in 1967, so many memories were stirred via the music, fashion, and more included in the film. It takes place during a turbulent time in American history and has sad elements, but it was also a kinder, more simple time. The laughter, in the film and from the viewers, remind us that it's possible to keep finding joy despite heartache and misunderstandings. But the final message all should receive is the importance of family and forgiveness and the need for faith to sustain us. This is definitely a "popcorn movie" to enjoy with friends, but I believe it's worth seeing. Check it out! GIVEAWAY!! Enter to Win a DIGITAL CODE of When We Last Spoke! Simply use hashtags #WhenWeLastSpokeMIN and #MomentumInfluencerNetwork in the comments section. Deadline to enter is Aug. 17, 2021. Offer good in the USA only.
Disclaimer: I did receive a link to review this movie from Momentum Influencers for review purposes. All opinions are my own and no monetary compensation was received.
Sparks fly between a famous model and a
farmer with a young daughter when she returns to a favorite place from her childhood for a visit. The town is in danger of losing their beloved Santaland festival, but
miracles can happen with a little love, family, and faith.
Focus on the Family’s Plugged In says it has, “a
message that goes a couple of layers deeper than your typical holiday rom-com.
This one drives home the importance of understanding what makes us valuable as
human beings.”
"THE FARMER AND THE BELLE: SAVING SANTALAND has a very strong Christian,
biblical worldview with an emphasis of finding one’s worth from the
truth of God rather than the world’s low standard." - MovieGuide
“So much of the
content we see during Christmas season misses the opportunity to show God’s
perspective on true beauty that the Bible makes so clear,” said Jenn Gotzon,
who stars in and produces the film. “Every person – women, men, girls and boys
– needs to see that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are a treasured
inheritance. It puts the focus of beauty on the heart and how we serve and love
others.”
The music of the film will definitely infuse you with Christmas spirit! Amy Grant gave a shout-out to Justin Peters and Rhonda Vincent on the film's hit song, Santaland!
Justin shared, "'Santaland' has been a special song. It is the first song you hear in
the movie. The Chorus was started in a beach house in North Carolina by
Steven Rupe and myself at one of my Songs For The Planet songwriting
camps. It was one of over 40 songs written for the movie. We then worked
on ideas for the song on 2 different flights back to Nashville. Over
the next few days we met at my studio/office where we chipped away at
the song until it was finished. I sent Jenn Gotzon a ukulele/vocal work
tape on it...they liked it...then they came back and asked me to write a
different song for them with a similar theme... I wrote 3 others and
then they eventually came back to “Santaland” which made me quite happy
as I thought it was the perfect one for the movie. I recorded a master
with me singing the song and later they asked if a female voice could be
on it since the movie was focused on the female character’s story. The
next day I called Rhonda Vincent who just happened to be Christmas
shopping here in Nashville for clothes for a cruise she was going on. I
asked her if she would come do a duet with me on “Santaland.” She said
yes and eleven minutes later she was at my studio. I arranged and taught
her the part and recorded her complete vocals that night. A few days
later we debuted the song together at the New York Stock Exchange in New
York."
The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland soundtrack includes more music from Justin Peters as well as John Schneider, Beckah Shae, Tiffany Ashton, Tobi Lee, and more... including the score with James Covell.
You can download the soundtrack by clicking on one of these links: iTunesor Amazon.
You can buy charm bracelet from the movie on QVC! Click on the hyperlink to go directly to the QVC page. You will definitely want one for yourself or to share with your loved ones.
Distributed by Vision Films, Inc., Mill Creek Entertainment and produced by
Idealist-Gotzon Films in association with 2 Actors Productions, THE FARMER AND THE BELLE: SAVING SANTALAND features
Jenn Gotzon (MY DADDY IS IN HEAVEN), Jim E. Chandler (AMC’S Lodge 49, Stranger Things), Corbin Bernsen (Major League), John Schneider (Dukes
of Hazzard), Natasha Bure (Home Sweet
Home, Fuller House, The Voice), Delilah (nationally-syndicated radio host),
Robert Amaya (COURAGEOUS, OCTOBER BABY), Henry Cho (Standup Comedian), and introduces Adele Chandler. The movie is directed by award-winner, Wes Llewellyn.
This award-winning, must-see faith and family
film from Vision Films is streaming now on all major VOD, cable and DVD
platforms and available at retailers nationwide, suitable for audiences from
kids to grandparents.
