Sarah, Plain and Tall (1991)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Sarah is a rather average and supposedly boring woman who comes to look after the children of a man whose wife died giving birth.At first glance it isn't much, but I read the book years ago and loved it so I figured I'd check out the movie. Sarah, despite being plain, is brave, caring, loves animals and becomes the mother the family never had. The acting was great and there were even some sad and suspenseful scenes. I'm not a big fan of movies taking place in the 1800's but this one was excellent, I'm surprised it doesn't have many reviews. If you ever see it for sale, don't pass it, up, and check out the short novel as well! This is surprisingly a very good movie.

What a nice movie! In this day-and-age, a movie this low-key and simply nice is refreshing to see. It's almost shocking, especially with Christopher Walken, playing against type. He and Glenn Glose end up being an inspiring romantic couple.What I think I enjoyed best was the wonderful cinematography. With all the beautiful rural scenery, it was pretty to see. It was also nice to see Walken play a role this sedate and a pleasure to see a modern film that featured well-mannered kids, not spoiled brats. In fact, there are no nasty people nor bad language is this film, either. Unlike many films which call themselves "family-oriented," this one truly lives up to that billing. It's not anything super dramatic that will knock your socks off, but a pleasant, very nice low-key 98 minutes to kick back and relax watching.

I remember reading the book, Sarah, Plain and Tall, as a small child, probably for school or something. In most cases, movies based on books are usually a let-down, but this movie, in my opinion, was even better than the book itself. It's a wonderful story of a young mail-order bride who travels from her home in Maine to the vast strangeness of undeveloped, prarie-town, Kansas. One of the things I really liked about this movie was that it didn't have any sticky-sweetness that is common in family films. Sarah, the main character, is far from perfect, and there is a constant battle-of-wills between her and Jacob. Probably the biggest conflict in the film, besides the fact that Sarah is extremely homesick, is that Jacob expects Sarah to be like his late wife--who seems to have been a quiet, gentle woman. Sarah is nice, but she is also stubborn and quick to speak her mind. She and Jacob have to come to terms with each other, over and over again. Jacob's character was well-written. He's a man trying to raise his family the best he knows how, but he can't seem to let go of his late wife. He blames himself for her death, and seems almost afraid to let his children remember her. He doesn't have much room in his heart for Sarah, but she barges in anyway, neatly disobeying him and breaking down the walls in his heart. The children were very good as well--Anna struggles with accepting Sarah, and her growing fondness towards her. Calab loves Sarah, simply because he is small and doesn't remember his real mother. I thought the story line was great, as was the actual casting. Glenn Close doesn't usually play such wholesome, family roles, but she actually pulled it off, which proves, of course, that's she's a terrific actress in any role. She was convincing as Sarah, and gave her a little added spice... Christopher Walken, also, was great as the father, who, I think, falls for Sarah without really realizing it. The children, played by Lexi Randell and Christopher Bell, fit snugly into their roles. The whole movie is a very touching family story. I give it ten stars, for a wonderful performance.

Sarah,Plain and Tall was a great pleasure to watch,it was a simple story that was told,just as it should have been,simply.Sarah,almost a mailorder bride,comes to live with a widower and his two young children on the prairie and her life never is the same again.The story revolves around friendships formed,ideals changed and above all the importance of family.No character is a stereotype they are realistic people with their own shortcomings but are essentially good human beings with morals and integrity.Glenn Close and Christopher Walkin bring so many truths to their characters and the chemistry between them is real and heartfelt.A very special movie,great to watch with the family!