This TV movie mostly takes place in time-span between the 1960s and the early 80s but you wouldn't know it from watching this film about the enduring love between a simple-minded farm-girl Crystal (Jennie Garth) and a returning soldier with political ambitions, Specer ( Craig Bierko). What I found odd about this film was the lack of attention to historical detail.It feels as if it was meant to be done in the late 80s. The nostalgia of 60s and 70s is not present and for this reason the film feels strangely out of time. Jennie Garth's appearance does not change - not even her hair! She looks as young as she did in the beginning, while her co-star Craig Bierko is given specs to make him look older. It's hard to invest in the story because it's obvious what is going to happen, but what did you expect with Danielle Steele? Moreover, the film feels rushed. It's economical with time transitions and I do not believe Spencer failed to contact Crystal for 5 years, even though she was pregnant with his child. The same could be said for Crytsal. The happy ever after rural idyll presented at the end strains credulity too. Why wasn't Spencer angry with Crystal for not telling him about his son? The darker elements presented elsewhere are negated. Spencer's wife played by Terry Farrel vowed revenge on Crystal. That promise was never fulfilled and thus the dramatic impetus the film promises fails to materialize. Although the film is disappointing on many levels Garth, Bierko and Farrell rise above the stilted script and deliver watchable performances. It's just a pity the whole project had a sense of unfulfilled promise. Maybe it should have been a mini series instead.
