The Home Sweet Home Blogathon - Skylark Movie Review

 Happy Thursday!  Guess what's happening this week?

This blogathon is being hosted by Gill Jacob, over on her blog, Realweegiemidget Reviews, and the theme is reviewing all things family, on or off screen, and homes in any and every way.  (Head on over to Gill's blog to get in on more of the blogathon fun!)

For my contribution, I'll be talking about the timeless classic, "Skylark", starring Glenn Close and Christopher Walken.  I grew up watching this movie with my family, and it's a really heartfelt, family friendly story.

*Warning: Spoilers Ahead*

(Surprisingly, this was the only gif I could find from this film)

Movie Synopsis:

"Skylark" is the second movie in the Sarah, Plain and Tall trilogy.  In this sequel, we return to find our favorite characters, Sarah, Jacob, Anna and Caleb Whitten, facing hard circumstances.  A terrible drought, showing no signs of letting up, is slowly threatening them and their neighbor's survival on their Kansas farms.  With the strain making daily life more and more difficult, Jacob finally convinces Sarah to take Anna and Caleb to stay with her Aunts in Maine till things get better.  

While away from home, though they love being with Sarah's family and enjoying the sea, Sarah, Anna and Caleb feel Jacob's loss keenly.  Back home, Jacob likewise misses them, but keeps on working to build the farm back up, contenting himself with his family's letters.

And then.....it rains!  With the drought at a close, Jacob travels up to Maine, and brings his family homeward where they live happily ever after!

The End

My Thoughts:

First of all, I just love the Whittens. They have every character quality you'd want to see in a family. Jacob is a responsible, hard-working, strongly principled father and husband, who would do anything for his loved ones.  Sarah, is a gentle, but determined, wife and mother, who lovingly makes their house a home. Anna, the oldest daughter, is capable, feminine, and affectionate. Caleb, the "baby" boy, has such a sweet, sincere character that you just can't resist falling in love with him.  And last, but not least there are Nick and Seal, the family's loyal dog and cat. 

I really appreciate how realistic Jacob and Sarah's marriage relationship is.  There's no "Hallmark sizzles" or over dramatic romance, but just simple, steadfast love between them.  They are a perfect team, looking out for each other's needs and sharing the responsibility of raising their children. I also love how closely knit the whole family is. Anna and Caleb's characters rely on and look up to their parents very much.  In one evening scene, the family is together around the kitchen table; Anna is reading aloud a letter from the Aunts, Sarah is ironing, and Jacob is repairing a harness with Caleb on his lap. It's a wonderful picture of a family; their contentment and happiness is bound up in each other.

I love the scene when it rains!  Throughout the movie, Jacob has been weighed down by a great deal of hardship.  He's seen the decimation of his beloved farm, he's had to work harder to provide, he's been worried over his family's well being, but still had to remain strong for them. And then finally the much longed for rain comes.  Jacob comes out of the house when he hears it, and filled with relief and joy, he raises his head skyward to feel the raindrops on his face.  And then he sits down right on the ground, in the middle of the shower.  It's an magnificent moment in the movie.

Another one of my favorite parts is when Jacob reunites with his family in Maine.  He's standing on top of the bank by the house, overlooking the sea when Sarah, Caleb and Anna spot him from down at the bottom where they are returning from a picnic.  Caleb shouts,'Papa, Papa', and starts running up the hill towards him with Anna close behind.  Jacob meets them on the path and picks them both up.  (I'm getting a lump in my throat, just thinking of this) Sarah arrives soon after, shocked to see him, and then Jacob looks at her and says,'Rain'!  And Sarah smiles.  

Oh, it's just wonderful!

When the family returns home, Anna and Caleb excitedly go and see the new kittens Seal had while they were gone. Their family friend, Jess, who looked after the farm while Jacob was away, remarks to Jacob and Sarah, that he'd heard word they might be selling their farm. Sarah calmly, but firmly replies, "No, Jess, No."  Jacob looks at Sarah, conscious of the fact that their farm has always meant more to him than her, but seeing that now she is truly happy to call his land, her home as well.

Have I convinced you to watch this movie yet, if you haven't? You've just got to see it!  And if you have already seen it, then maybe this "gushing" of mine (that's what Grace called it when she read this post) has inspired you to watch it again!!

Well, I hope you've enjoyed reading this! Remember to visit Gill's blog to read more Home Sweet Home Blogathon posts!

Till next time,

Katherine

P.S.

Skylark Movie Trailer: