The most-watched made-for-television movie of the 1990s (50 million viewers upon first broadcast in 1991), this fine adaptation of Patricia MacLachlan's novel stars Glenn Close as Sarah, a Maine schoolteacher who responds to a Kansas farmer's newspaper ad seeking a bride. Set in 1910, the story follows Sarah's trial run as stepmother to the children of the widowed Jacob Witting (Christopher Walken). The tough part of the experiment is the conflicting expectations the would-be couple have over Sarah's role in the household. The kids, too, have their doubts about a substitute for their mother, and Jacob isn't ready, emotionally, for a new beginning. But in short order the strong-willed Sarah brings happiness and vitality into the house, and love and understanding eventually blossom between the two lonely adults. Everything is right about this Hallmark production, from a bright script cowritten by MacLachlan to Glenn Jordan's sensitive direction and a pair of first-rate leads making every moment worth watching. A wholesome tale from the heartland, this is a good movie for any viewing situation, from an audience of one to an entire family. --Tom Keogh
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: KCS SARAH THE PLAIN AND TALL Comment: This is a very good book. It talks about a woman named Sarah go and live with a man named Jacob the kind hearted father of Anna and Caleb. After Caleb was born his mother died. They learned to live without her but still missed her a bit. This was a very good book that only took me 1hr. to read, but it was a fascinating book. Customer Rating: Summary: Kcs Sarah plain and tall Comment: How would you feel if your mom past away when you were little and your father posted an ad for a new wife? The setting takes on a prarie by a farm. The main characters are Anna who is kind,good, and helpful, Caleb who is young, kind,and a good little brother,and Sarah who is plain, tall,helpul,and liked cats.
Anna,Caleb, and their farther are struggling without a mother to help out around the house and their father is very lonely and he doesn't sing anymore. so he puts an ad to make himself happier. the theme is you shouldn't blame your- self if something goes wrong. the meaning of the title is about Sarah being plain and tall, well basically describing what sarah is like.
the pacing of the book is kind of slow throughout the book so kind of boring. it's not really wrtten in a christian perpective. I think the author is trying to show us what life would be like without a mother or if you are trying to find a new mom. I woul recommed this book more to girls because I think they would understand this book to people who have had this experience. Customer Rating: Summary: a review by Ralphy Comment: I personally did not like this book because it did not catch my attention, but some people might disagree. Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan tells about a family that lost their mom; so they find a new another mom. She will decide whether or not to live with them. First of all, their mother died when the youngest child, Caleb, was born. Equally important, the dad, Jacob, puts an ad in the paper for a new mom. The ad says how they need a wife and a mom. After that, a girl named Sarah responds to the ad in the paper. She writes letters to each of the kids and she writes Jacob telling him she will come by train wearing a yellow bonnet. Lastly, Sarah learns to love the family. Sarah decides to stay forever even though she misses Maine. Even though I did not like this book, some people may have other opinions. Customer Rating: Summary: " Tell them I sing" Comment: A story with very simple lines: in modern life with reality TV we sometimes forget how meager our lives can be. A story about real people and real values that makes a few words go a very long way. Can be read to children at bed time... Customer Rating: Summary: Sarah Plain and Tall Comment: Sarah Plain and Tall is about two kids and their father. The two kids names` are Caleb and Anna. Caleb and Anna's father put ads up to find a mother. Then they found one. Her name was Sarah Elisabeth Wheaten. Caleb and Anna had a lot of fun with her.
The message is that you should just be happy where you are. That you are stuck with your family. I know that is the message because you would think of it when you are reading the book.
I liked Sarah Plain and Tall because it reminds me of my family because Caleb and Anna have a step-mom and I have a step-dad. I think people should read this book because it was a winner of the Newbery Medal.
