The Magic of Ordinary Days (2005)

Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

This is a movie that capitalizes on the beauty of the location, punctuated by a poignant musical score, illustrating a story that is characterized by subtle and believable acting. Skeet Ulrich's Ray is a man with a gentle and shy heart, who seizes the opportunity to have an instant family with a woman whose circumstances brought her out of her own world into his. Keri Russell's Livy is a woman without choice, struggling to maintain her dreams while living with her mistakes. Mare Winningham's Martha is a loving sister, wife, mother and friend whose very presence brings a sense of balance to both their lives and the lives of those around her.Each character, every look, every spoken word, every musical note adds to the richness of this movie. The story and the characters steal you away into their yesteryear, and Skeet Ulrich's Ray steals your heart. His face reveals his growing love of a woman who unwillingly came into his life, while his restraint and patience underscore his willingness to wait for her love to grow on its own. It's hard to believe that the story ends with the closing credits of the movie, that Keri Russell is not Livy, Skeet Ulrich is not Ray, Mare Winningham is not Martha. The mark of a good movie is one whose story lives on, just like The Magic of Ordinary Days.

Lovely movie, subtle and well acted in major and minor roles. Funny at times, the way country characters can be funny once you know them. Beautifully filmed, and gorgeous music.I loved the slow telling of the story. How the characters were kept apart by philosophy (city vs country), nature (hurt vs shy) and interests (world vs home). I loved how so much was shown in body language, and how her prejudice was erroneous, although not malicious, and not entirely tolerated by Ray despite his patience. I loved how much he loved her - and understood that she disliked herself.The downside of the movie is the internment camp and POW story. I agree with others that it was a distraction and not entirely believable, and not necessary. I fast forward through that section.Not a movie for Van Damme fans.

I loved this movie. I saw it on Hallmark Hall of Fame and my husband went and purchased the DVD for me as a gift. My heart just clenched when Ray asked Livy, "Livy, is there anything you like about me?" This movie was about a mail-order marriage that turned out to be on the same scale as Hallmark Entertainment's 'Love Comes Softly' series. I could not have been happier with the uplifting ending and I have never been disappointed with any Hallmark movie. This is a movie worth seeing if you like movies that have happy endings. Keri Russell did a superb job in the role of Livy, and Skeet Ulrich was a believable Ray -- shy and trying hard to make Livy feel welcome -- although not quite on the scale of Billy in 'Scream'. All in all, I don't think anyone could be unhappy with this movie.

In a day and age when movies are often filled with profanity, sexual content, and violence, along comes a gem like this one. The whole family can watch this film without worrying about "content". Skeet Ulrich and Keri Russell do a wonderful job acting in this movie, and the supporting cast is excellent. The story revolves around a young women (Russell), who's pregnant out of wed lock, and is forced into an arranged marriage with a farmer (Ulrich), during World War II. This movie also teaches a few life lessons, such as forgiveness, and the difference between sex and love. An enjoyable way to spend a hour and a half of you're time. You won't regret watching this film.