Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Really Surprised!

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

I very rarely review films online, this is my first on IMDb, but I feel that I had to for this film. About a year ago, I was perusing the list of Hallmark Hall of Fame movies and discovered this one. All I read was the synopsis to know that this was a movie I had to see.Low and behold, I was able to watch and could not help but love the story. Jennifer Jason Leigh (Elizabeth) and Campbell Scott (Scotty) were able to capture my attention throughout the entire movie. Their chemistry is undeniable even when they aren't in same room, but over a century apart. I had chills down my spine during the scene on the stairwell as they feel each other for the first time. Though it may look weird, if you have ever been in love, sometimes, you will do whatever it takes to have part of that person near you. And hate knowing that the one thing you want, you can't have. Something impossible, yet probable at the same time.The plot may seem unconventional, but when I read on this board that it was better that The Lake House, I knew I had to see it and was not disappointed. The supporting cast was amazing and Estelle Parsons definitely stole some scenes, but the movie belonged to Ms. Leigh and Mr. Scott. I watched the special featurette on the DVD and found their fondness and admiration for each other to be one of the main reasons they work so well together in this film and therefore making the romance between the two very believable.Mr. Scott was able to play Scotty and Colonel Caleb Denby with such conviction that it's no wonder Elizabeth fell in love with both men and I cannot imagine anyone but Leigh playing the role of Elizabeth.SPOILER ALERT!!!Alright, no surprise here, if you have read other reviews, you will know that Elizabeth becomes the reincarnated Beth. Just as Caleb had become Scotty.The ending scene when he sees her made me cry because even though time separated Elizabeth and Scotty, love did not. As it says on her epitaph, she never forgot and it looks like that Scotty will never forget either. The fact that Beth shows up in the very place Elizabeth is buried is fitting and right because both Elizabeth and Scotty and have come full circle and even though Elizabeth's reincarnation has no idea what is going on, I have no doubt in my mind that they ended up together, bought the house in Willoughby and live happily ever after.It may seem far fetched, but I believe that Scotty's told Beth and his kids this story a million times. Although, I hope she would not get jealous by her counterpart.If you love Hallmark movies, you will love this one. If you are true romantic at heart, love American Civil War history and love the idea world of time travel then I strongly recommend you watch this movie.I give it a 9/10 because I wished there would have been more time with the reincarnated Lizzie. That may ruin it for some, but I wish we could have seen the interaction between them when they introduced themselves to each other, but being left with some mystery certainly completes the film.NB

This is a fantastic fantasy film. I especially enjoyed Jennifer Jason Leigh's acting. I think her mannerisms and speech patterns were right on for the time period she was portraying. Her move to a modern woman at the end just amazed me. Her acting ability is tops.Campbell Scott's love for her was clearly evident, even though there was no interaction between them for most of the movie. Stellar acting on his part also.The story was quite logical for fantasy and was easily followed.I only wish there was someplace to retrieve the poem from the movie if indeed it was more than just the one line "Stranger, not on this earth shall we meet..."I can't say enough good things about this film. I have watched it several times and enjoyed it more each time.

Some might think that this movie might be a little dumb (it's not the most original idea) or way too sentimental, and I'm surprised myself how much I enjoyed it (and continue to enjoy it -- for me, it stands up well to multiple viewings). I would think it owes much of its success to Jennifer Jason Leigh and Campbell Scott-- they're both so charming in their roles and are fully committed to making this fantastical story ring true. I think they are the heart of why I find myself liking this simple movie so very much.Another quality that adds to the enjoyment of the movie is the (seeming) attention to details in recreating Civil War era settings. There are for me a few glitches in the script that detract from the fantastical storyline and which could have been easily fixed to blend realism and fantasy more completely, but these are not large enough to mar the end result.

It really says something when a TV station like the Hallmark station can fund a better, more emotional and memorable film than 99% of the tripe that passes for entertainment today in the movie theaters. This little movie has real heart and class. Please seek it out and watch it.I loved the picture. Filmed on location in Virginia (not Massachusetts where it is supposed to take place), and even showcasing a wonderful re-enactment of the battle of Gettysburg, and a charming, believable cast, it just captivates you immediately and you are drawn into its time travel plot device without any problem. It's probably most similar to "Somewhere In Time" that way, which was also lovely to look at, and boasted those period locations and authentic dress.Campbell Scott was superb as Scotty, who buys an antique desk complete with old love letters addressed to a "mystery man" from the 1860's. Jennifer Jason Leigh was lovely as Elizabeth Whitcomb, and you feel for her character all the way. When she stops on the stairs and reaches out for Scotty (more than 100 years away from her in distance in the future), I cried. It was so bittersweet.Estelle Parsons was great as Scotty's mom, always nice to see her. She's such a natural actress. Daphne Ashbrook was also excellent as Scotty's fiancé, who unfortunately gets hurt as the growing relationship between Scotty and Elizabeth develops. She shows a real vulnerability here and doesn't behave revengefully. Wonderful.If I would change anything I would have had the film end with the grave scene, and not with the girl and her dog, to do otherwise is to suggest that Scotty won't be as faithful to Elizabeth as she was to him.10 out of 10.Addition: And to the commentator janeellen, above, who was critical of my review, I would add that even if the story was trying to suggest reincarnation, it doesn't work, and it makes the story less poignant to insist on it. Just as with cloning, no one is EXACTLY the same person or being, or has EXACTLY the same SOUL. So for Scotty to go off at the end with the modern girl and her dog, a girl without the same 19th century sensibilities or soul as Elizabeth Whitcomb, is a disappointment.Scotty should stay just as true to the memory of ELIZABETH through the years, as she remained true to him until her death. That would have been the PERFECT ending.