The Valley of Light (2007)

People are voting emotionally.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Just a warning to any men reading this. This is definitely a chick flick. But it's so good you will enjoy watching it, too. You just won't be able to admit to anybody that you did. (Unless you are as secure in your masculinity as I am of course. Ahem...Then you can even admit it had you in tears in parts, but you'll still feel guilty at that, too.) Noah is a Soldier on a mission...Running from his past. His family is gone except for one loser little brother who's just barely out of his teens and on the way to a life of crime already. And Noah blames himself for not being there for the family, for his brother, and for his unit where many of his friends were killed, leaving him with survivor guilt. On the run he's told about a special place to go fishing, something he has an affinity for. And taking the stranger's advice he finds himself involved in the lives of the small town folks and especially a beautiful young widow and her mute son. All of them looking for some kind of sign that life is still worth living.The plot is predictable in some parts but unpredictable in others so there is enough play in the line (to use a fishing metaphor) to make it interesting. As I say, everyone will enjoy it. Though there is one very traumatic scene that may not be appropriate for small children. Not violent or anything, just very sad (and adults watching it may become upset which may upset any children in the room).Having said that, enjoy. With popcorn and Kleenex.A surprise ending (at least for me) which only emphasized that, although this movie has some bad theology, the overall positive note is a sound one. And the best part is, the reality is even better than the fiction. In a world of uncertainty there are signs all around us that GOD really does care and life really is worthwhile, if we will only look and listen and act upon the situations and people He sends our way and most of all His Word (the Bible)...though this is not a "preachy" film or Bible-thumping movie at all and in fact stays rather generic. It is a great movie that may take you unawares.

I loved the way this movie was done. I know many won't like it because it dares to leave out sex, violence, profanity, etc., and just tell a simple tale that makes you feel good. For those people there are nearly an infinite number of choices to see. For the rest of us, this is a rare movie that feels like something from a time before I was born- and it left me feeling happy, and not many of today's movies do that for me.Also, as most of my closest friends and my oldest nephew live and breath fishing, I'm thinking they'd enjoy it as that is always in the background.If you watch this, don't go in expecting something convoluted and complex, but rather a very pleasant distraction from all the unpleasantness we usually see in the movies.

It was so refreshing to see a movie with a good script, good acting and that contains values that seem to have disappeared in light of all the smut and garbage that have invaded prime time television. I would love to see more movies like this one. I thought it was excellent in every category. The scenery was beautiful, it took place just after World War 2 had ended and troops were returning home, and it gave me a real sense of nostalgia although the War took place years before my birth. The acting was great and the people of the valley were warm and inviting, again a characteristic gone with yesteryear. This movie reached out and embraced me, much like Andy Griffith and Mayberry used to when I was a little girl.

Good old-fashioned romance with a post-WWII setting. Like those "good 'ol days" when much of what is said is in the facial expressions and body movements, not the dialog. In those days, dignity and well manners ruled in rural America, so you did not see the kind of emotional violence, 4-letter words, and action common to some of today's movies, and that's OK! Romance ruled here...not the shallow passion you sometimes see today. Good job by Chris Klein (playing Noah) as the WWII vet with post-war anguish. You could see that in his face, but he brightened up well with his interaction with Matthew (played by Zach Mills). Gretchen Mol also did a good job as Eleanor. Perhaps her best scene was the scene when Noah was leaving. Zach Mills as the young boy was very good, even without one word of dialog. I guessed on my own that Hoke was an angel, and it fit in very well. I enjoyed the good old-fashioned bantering and teasing among the characters, and the fact there was no violence. Hallmark was the sponsor, and is the only sponsor I see on TV where I usually cannot miss the heart-warming commercials.