I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

I've seen just about every film directed by Richard Pearce. There's something in his understanding of actors that always brings out the best in them. That's especially evident in films like "Country", "A Family Thing" and "The Long Walk Home". It's hard to walk that thin line between heartfelt personal stories and overwrought melodrama. "Plainsong", however, isn't completely successful in avoiding the latter. The story itself has a lot in common with other Hallmark films, a way of unfolding that is a bit more predictable and/or comfortable than you might see in an average theatrical film. The TV movie feeling is the main, and only real thing holding "Plainsong" back.I'd noticed America Ferrera before, like I suppose most people have. But the only thing I'd actually seen her in was her first film, "Real Women Have Curves". She's so quiet here that it's almost like she's not there at all sometimes. That's not a bad thing, it reminded me of myself for a good part of my teenage years. She gets across the lost and confused feeling so well. The most fascinating and accomplished performances are those of Geoffrey Lewis and William Andrews as the elderly farmer brothers, and Marian Seldes as the lonely shut-in. They are so real, so believable. Rachel Griffiths and Aidan Quinn, whom many will be familiar with, are actually of much lesser interest than the younger and older actors. Nonetheless, they give very good performances.In all, "Plainsong" doesn't reach so far as it might. It stays on the outskirts of anything truly intense, but the feeling of gentle reality still bubbles to the surface. I'm truly glad I saw it, and I can't see how anyone couldn't take at least something away from the experience. I recommend that you pursue more of Richard Pearce's films.

Interesting but too many plots bring this film down. We have a teacher who is pressured to pass a miserable child so that they can get him out of the school despite the fact that the brat assaulted the teacher. The teacher (Aidan Quinn) has a wife who has left him, apparently suffering from depression and has gone to her sister in Denver. There are 2 young polite boys from the marriage who eventually find an old lady dead in her apartment. They deliver the paper to her and never bother to report that the woman, who lost her son in Korea, has died. The boys get caught up with that miserable student, who has bigoted parents.If this isn't enough, we have America Fererra, who has been abandoned by her mother when it is determined that she is pregnant. She goes to live with 2 older gentlemen who have kept to themselves following the deaths of their parents. They are recommended by the teacher in the next room who has romantic visions on Quinn. The school secretary also has an eye on this man.Yes, the movie is interesting but the themes abound. Each character could have developed into a story by itself. Was the teacher motivating the student? The pressure that teachers are faced with to pass students according to their supervisors is another theme. The depression of the mother. The life of the old woman (Marion Seldes) and the 2 older gentlemen who find they can contribute to life. I could go on and on.

I usually read a book and then am disappointed in the movie. America Ferrara kept me from feeling that way about "Plainsong." She carried the film. Kent Haruf's book was wonderful, and she was wonderful in portraying the character of the young woman, pregnant and disowned, central to the action. Her talent elevated this Hallmark flick WAY above the norm. I am glad she has a new venue on mainstream TV, and hope we will see a lot more of her in big screen releases. She is not a traditional beauty, yet she has leading lady presence. She is someone I hope to see a lot of in the future.

I am surprised that some other viewers were disappointed with this movie.It was bit "real worldly" for a Hallmark movie. But, it was about people making mistakes, and having to deal with the poor judgment of others.SPOILER!It was also about people forgiving, accepting others and making room for people who are different. Maybe to some viewers it will be a bit predictable, but it is a story about healing and making the best of what goes wrong with life.I give it 6* out of 10.