Our family movie night rolls around every Friday and we’re always looking for good clean content to enjoy. A newly released film called When We Last Spoke has just hit the screen and features an actress that will be familiar to anyone who grew up watching Little House on the Prairie: Melissa Gilbert. She’s big-hearted grandmother Ruby who takes on the task of raising her granddaughters, because their mother has skipped town and Daddy’s at war.
Along with grandfather Walt (played wonderfully by Corbin Bernsen of L.A. Law fame), Ruby provides the stability and love that Juliet and Evangeline crave. But the angst that a missing mother leaves in their lives ends up causing a seemingly irrepairable rift between the two girls. Based on Marci Henna’s popular novel, When We Last Spoke highlights the virtues of faith, perseverance and mercy. It’s also an accurate portrayal of the real desolation that children experience when a parent abandons them in favor of self-fulfillment.
The small-town sets and rural Alabama homestead are beautifully staged, as are the authentic 1960’s costumes. As a native Southern gal, though, I did find some of the accents over-the-top, which is often the case when Hollywood flirts with Dixie.
Overall, this film was a pleasant watch, although there are some intense and emotional scenes which have me leaning towards a recommendation of ages 10 and up. Walt and his two granddaughters delivered the strongest performances; Melissa Gilbert felt a bit flat to me and not wholeheartedly into her role. My husband and I loved the emphasis on strong family bonds and timeless values, as well as the self-sacrificing nature of love. It’s not all rainbows and roses!
This new film is already attracting positive attention, winning Best Picture, Best Narrative, Best Supporting Actor and more at Christian Media’s Crown Awards.
You can watch When We Last Spoke right now via Amazon or enter to win my giveaway for a FREE copy!
When We Last Spoke has also been released on DVD, so be sure to pick up a copy for next big family movie night!
You can view the trailer here and visit the movie’s website here.
I’m very grateful to Last Spoke Partners, who provided a free film screen for my family and me to view.
Giveaway: One lucky winner will receive a digital code from Last Spoke Partners to watch this new movie for free! US residents only; use the form below to enter. Good luck!
GIVEAWAY CLOSED
This looks so fun! And I enjoy all 3 of the adult actors (not familiar with the kids). Thanks for sharing!
This movie is perfect for a girls night. Now to send the boys off camping
I’d like to watch this movie with my family.
Thank you!
This looks like a really good family movie. I want to get a copy of it. We also have family movie nights – usually on Fridays or Saturdays. Hope I get a copy soon so we can watch this film this weekend.
Loved this movie! It was such a fun and heartwarming story!
I will definitely watch this movie with my whole family!
Love the review. We need more family-friendly movies like this!