Simple and moving story. This is a real life story about a family that finds everything on their land dying due to draught. The neighbors are moving, and if the rain falls, Jacob and Sarah also has to move... Simple and blessing. No dramatic action is needed to tell a story with a heart. Glenn Close (also producer of this film) and Christopher Walken are great in their roles.
19 Reviews
It was alright
Yoshi66663 May 2006
My class saw this movie and I thought it was okay, not the best movie ever made. I like Christopher Walken so I can't complain. This movie is about a family who faces the "Dust Bowl" in the 1920's and they are facing changes. Fires have occurred from burning heat and little water supply. The movie is a little ornery. But it will still do well for my satisfaction. I saw nothing wrong with it, but it wasn't the best.
It was a pretty good movie.
I know how I would feel if I was facing a drought like they had, horrible. That is what makes the movie great, because it is believable and so fascinating.
'Skylark' was a good 1993 movie.
It was a pretty good movie.
I know how I would feel if I was facing a drought like they had, horrible. That is what makes the movie great, because it is believable and so fascinating.
'Skylark' was a good 1993 movie.
Sarah returns from the plains to the tall cliffs of the Maine coast.
mark.waltz31 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Now married to Christopher Walken, Glenn Close is loving every moment of motherhood to the growing Lexi Randall and Christopher Bell, but things are not so good down on the farm. A drought leads to many issues, and eventually fires. Realizing he's got a lot of work to get the farm back up and running, Walken send the rest of the family to visit Close's brother and aunts in Maine, so you get moving back and forth between the east coast and the middle of America. This of course creates issues in the marriage, but there's new life on the way, and that's always a cure.
Stage legends Lois Smith, Teresa Hughes and Elizabeth Wilson are all outstanding as the three sisters who live together, all of them having great moments, with my personal favorite (Smith) making the observation about Close that will change her life. This has its moments of the dour situation of life on the plains, but there's terrific mixes of humor and romance that indicates that no matter what obstacles that Close and Walken face, they'll always make it back together.
Once again, the ensemble is terrific, but Close as Sarah seems to be made up to be prettier. Bell, as cute as a button, has the funniest observation about Aunt Lou (Smith) when he writes to his father about her habit of skinny dipping, adding "But she's not skinny." James Rebhorn returns as Close's brother, with Margaret Sophie Stein back as wise neighbor Maggie. As atmospheric as the original, but perhaps missing the surprises of "Sarah Plain and Tall".
Stage legends Lois Smith, Teresa Hughes and Elizabeth Wilson are all outstanding as the three sisters who live together, all of them having great moments, with my personal favorite (Smith) making the observation about Close that will change her life. This has its moments of the dour situation of life on the plains, but there's terrific mixes of humor and romance that indicates that no matter what obstacles that Close and Walken face, they'll always make it back together.
Once again, the ensemble is terrific, but Close as Sarah seems to be made up to be prettier. Bell, as cute as a button, has the funniest observation about Aunt Lou (Smith) when he writes to his father about her habit of skinny dipping, adding "But she's not skinny." James Rebhorn returns as Close's brother, with Margaret Sophie Stein back as wise neighbor Maggie. As atmospheric as the original, but perhaps missing the surprises of "Sarah Plain and Tall".
Love is even more powerful under trials!
sherwin-126 February 2002
This sequel follows two years behind "Sarah, Plain and Tall." And I loved it even better! The mail-order bride from Maine, is now part of the Witting family. She and Jacob have fallen in love and his two young children have truly become her own. Their simple, but rich life on the Kansas prairie is threatened by a terrible drought. One by one their friends and neighbors are forced to abandon their farms, but they vow to stay and fight to keep the family farm. When the wells run dry and fire threatens their very lives, they too are forced to make a decision that will tear them from their home and each other. Sarah and the two children go to Maine.
Separated by miles, but bound together by love, they learn that devotion is what makes them a family; and that love is even more powerful under trials. There are some great quotes in this movie as Sarah talks to the children. "Yes, I loved your papa's letters, but it what was between the lines that I loved the most." "What was between the lines?" "His life, that's what was between the lines. Sometimes..." "Sometimes papa's not good with words." "Sometimes what people chose to write down on paper is more important than what they say." Here is good quality family entertainment.
Separated by miles, but bound together by love, they learn that devotion is what makes them a family; and that love is even more powerful under trials. There are some great quotes in this movie as Sarah talks to the children. "Yes, I loved your papa's letters, but it what was between the lines that I loved the most." "What was between the lines?" "His life, that's what was between the lines. Sometimes..." "Sometimes papa's not good with words." "Sometimes what people chose to write down on paper is more important than what they say." Here is good quality family entertainment.
More of the same, very nice.
gazzo-228 December 2003
These stories reminded me of Little House, Lois Lenski's books and the Waltons some. All very good, wholesome, w/ the emphasis on family, farm and the like.
If you liked the first one, you will like this one-again fine reserved performances by Close and Walken(nice to see him doing this esp), the kids are believable, the filming all done on location. It's great to see the usual hazards-fires, barnraising, drought, separation, etc trotted out and done w/ some conviction.
*** do check it out.
If you liked the first one, you will like this one-again fine reserved performances by Close and Walken(nice to see him doing this esp), the kids are believable, the filming all done on location. It's great to see the usual hazards-fires, barnraising, drought, separation, etc trotted out and done w/ some conviction.
*** do check it out.
Enjoyable New Meetings
KimAC531 March 2001
I thought Skylark was a nice follow up to the great movie, Sarah Plain and Tall. I enjoyed "meeting" Sarah's brother, sister-in-law, and especially the three aunts. The strong love between Jacob and Sarah was very heartwarming, and it was like reading the next chapter in a beloved book.
Skylark; continuing family love during hardship
kodi-75 January 2006
The Midwest is struck with a drought. Many family desert their farms, but Sarah and Jacob hang on as long as possible.
Finally, Sarah and the two children go to the east coast to visit "the Jewels" (Sarah's aunts) and Sarah's brother, while Jacob stays at the farm and tries to save what he can. The aunts are delightful, nonconformists who accept the children and welcome Sarah.
When rain finally comes to the Midwest, Jacob goes to Maine to bring home Sarah and the children. Sarah says a final goodbye to her beloved Maine.
Skylark is as wonderful a movie as Sarah Plain and Tall, and Winter's End. This movie is suitable for any age. Hallmark has once again excelled.
Finally, Sarah and the two children go to the east coast to visit "the Jewels" (Sarah's aunts) and Sarah's brother, while Jacob stays at the farm and tries to save what he can. The aunts are delightful, nonconformists who accept the children and welcome Sarah.
When rain finally comes to the Midwest, Jacob goes to Maine to bring home Sarah and the children. Sarah says a final goodbye to her beloved Maine.
Skylark is as wonderful a movie as Sarah Plain and Tall, and Winter's End. This movie is suitable for any age. Hallmark has once again excelled.
No Rain- Big Trouble
whpratt125 February 2006
Excellent story about a mail-order-bride, Glenn Close,(Sarah Witting),"The Shield",TV'02, who lives in CT where everything is green to the Mid-West and becomes the bride to Christopher Walken,(Jacob Witting),"Domino",'05, and a beautiful story of love becomes a very strong thing between Jacob's son and daughter. These two perfect soul mates, joined together as one flesh, have some problems which farmers do encounter through out many generations past and in the future. Many times we take for granted the things that Nature provides and when it does not appear, our very lives become a great disaster. This is a very wonderful love story and the children gave an outstanding performance. Good Clean entertainment
Only Unappealing Entry In The 'Sarah' Trilogy
ccthemovieman-19 August 2006
The was the second segment in the trilogy of "Sarah, Plain and Tall." That opening movie, with the same title, was excellent and third in the series was very good, but this middle edition stunk.
It simply did not have the charm of the other two. The story was too much of a downer, with the family spending a lot of time battling a drought. The young boy, who was cute in "Sarah," was just a whiner in this movie, constantly asking questions in his whiny, annoying voice.
Overall, it committed the ultimate film sin - it was boring which is hard to do in a Christopher Walken movie. The film is the weakest of the three segments in the trilogy. Well, perhaps "unappealing" would be a better description than "weak."
It simply did not have the charm of the other two. The story was too much of a downer, with the family spending a lot of time battling a drought. The young boy, who was cute in "Sarah," was just a whiner in this movie, constantly asking questions in his whiny, annoying voice.
Overall, it committed the ultimate film sin - it was boring which is hard to do in a Christopher Walken movie. The film is the weakest of the three segments in the trilogy. Well, perhaps "unappealing" would be a better description than "weak."
Great
1fortheroad19 July 2002
Skylark was a great follow-up on Sarah, Plain and Tall. There were new conflicts to be resolved, and the cast of characters expanded to add Sarah's brother, sister-in-law, and her three aunts. Sarah and Jacob were married in the last film, but in spite of her love for her new family and her new life, Sarah still misses her old home. It doesn't help that the Kansas is now facing a drought, and there is an alarming scarcity of water. Sarah and her family watch as their friends move away, trying to find a better home, but Sarah and Jacob are determined to stay until the end. Or at least until something devestating happens, that causes Jacob to move Sarah and the children away. Sarah takes them back to Maine, and there they stay, while Jacob lives on in Kansas, trying to wait out the drought that plagues the land. I loved this film, and especially the ending, which shows that true love can span a continent, if need be. Once more, Glenn Close is superb as Sarah, and Christopher Walken is magnificent in his role as well. I highly recommend it to everyone.
I think this is one of my favorite movies now. :)
kellyleighcrutcher4 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know if my message has spoilers or not, but I'm marking it just in case. I saw the first movie and "Skylark" for the first time on November 4, 2004 (I'm watching Skylark as I'm typing this, in fact) and I think they're both wonderful movies. Glenn Close (Sarah) and Christopher Walken (Jacob Witting) are wonderful playing together. I saw Close in the 101 Dalmatian movies as Cruella DeVil, but I think she's better in the role of Sarah Wheaton/Witting. Sarah, her cat, Seal, (Seal's a lovely cat) and the Wittings are my favorite characters from this. If I could rate higher than a ten, I would. Has anyone thought of making a fourth movie in this series?
WOW What a couple......
skpn12326 December 2021
There is magic in this pairing of Glenn Close and Christopher Walken that transcends the drought and dullness of drought on the prairie.......
What a lovely gentle story of love and prairie life - I could watch 10 movies of this directed by Glenn Jordan.
What a lovely gentle story of love and prairie life - I could watch 10 movies of this directed by Glenn Jordan.
school project
jibrielzgl25 May 2016
Warning: Spoilers
***May Contain Spoilers***
In my opinion, you should watch the movie Skylark, because it is better than the book. Almost everything is the same, Sarah is the same, but she has different hair. Jacob is the same, but more emotional. Anna and Caleb are thee same but WAY more funnier, and The prairies and coyotes were just as I imagined.
Skylark includes the aunts, Seal's babies, and Sarah's brother in law.
I think the movie is better because it gives me more detail on how everything happened.
(This is a school project)
In my opinion, you should watch the movie Skylark, because it is better than the book. Almost everything is the same, Sarah is the same, but she has different hair. Jacob is the same, but more emotional. Anna and Caleb are thee same but WAY more funnier, and The prairies and coyotes were just as I imagined.
Skylark includes the aunts, Seal's babies, and Sarah's brother in law.
I think the movie is better because it gives me more detail on how everything happened.
(This is a school project)
Well-done family entertainment
IzzyTree10 October 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Perhaps this sequel to Sarah, Plain and Tall does not have the inherent drama of the original. But it is still wonderful, well-done family entertainment.
One of my favorite things about this movie is how it lingers on moments. For example, when Sarah receives a birthday gift of a Victrola and hears music again for the first time in years, the camera lingers on not only her face but those of Jacob and her friends and neighbors. Then slowly she melts as we see her remembering how much she loved and missed music. As the Italian aria continues to play, her husband takes her by the hand and they dance together. It is a small moment but one to treasure along with Sarah and her family.
Another example is when Jacob first arrives in Maine and sees the ocean for the first time. His eyes register wonder and awe that makes us realize how similar the ocean is to the prairie that he loves (a theme that runs throughout the film).
The script is good. The dialogue is believable and generally not trite or predictable. When the drought is starting to get really bad, Sarah tells Jacob she is not leaving. She doesn't want him to worry; she repeats the phrase over and over, and finally getting through, Jacob grabs her hand, they circle one another and laugh and kiss. His daughter watches form the window. It's another precious, original moment in the script.
I also have to mention that I love Glenn Close and Chris Walken in this film. Both are extremely well-cast. Glenn glows, and Walken is sweet and dashingly handsome, especially when he dons "town clothes" to travel to Maine.
Overall, a wonderful family film. I also remember how my father, who was born in the decade portrayed by the Sarah, Plain and Tall films, loved them, perhaps because he remembered how hard life could be in earlier times. A great series of films. I recommend all three.
One of my favorite things about this movie is how it lingers on moments. For example, when Sarah receives a birthday gift of a Victrola and hears music again for the first time in years, the camera lingers on not only her face but those of Jacob and her friends and neighbors. Then slowly she melts as we see her remembering how much she loved and missed music. As the Italian aria continues to play, her husband takes her by the hand and they dance together. It is a small moment but one to treasure along with Sarah and her family.
Another example is when Jacob first arrives in Maine and sees the ocean for the first time. His eyes register wonder and awe that makes us realize how similar the ocean is to the prairie that he loves (a theme that runs throughout the film).
The script is good. The dialogue is believable and generally not trite or predictable. When the drought is starting to get really bad, Sarah tells Jacob she is not leaving. She doesn't want him to worry; she repeats the phrase over and over, and finally getting through, Jacob grabs her hand, they circle one another and laugh and kiss. His daughter watches form the window. It's another precious, original moment in the script.
I also have to mention that I love Glenn Close and Chris Walken in this film. Both are extremely well-cast. Glenn glows, and Walken is sweet and dashingly handsome, especially when he dons "town clothes" to travel to Maine.
Overall, a wonderful family film. I also remember how my father, who was born in the decade portrayed by the Sarah, Plain and Tall films, loved them, perhaps because he remembered how hard life could be in earlier times. A great series of films. I recommend all three.
Skylark is Parched and Dull **
edwagreen23 July 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Bring in Katharine Hepburn in 1956's "The Rainmaker" to the rescue for this utterly boring film.
Glenn Close and Christopher Walken star as a couple living in the prairie faced by a terrible drought. Walken's daughter writes poetry and the boy looks like a Van Trapp member.
Conditions steadily worsen and Close flees with the children to her maiden aunts. The latter could easily qualify as the daffy Brewster Sisters from "Arsenic and Old Lace" fame. Naturally, one is immediately able to tell that Close is with child.
The film is so dull that you actually root for the fires that erupt along the parched field and barn.
The rain eventually comes and Walken comes back for his family. They all head back to the farm and the film mercifully ends.
Glenn Close and Christopher Walken star as a couple living in the prairie faced by a terrible drought. Walken's daughter writes poetry and the boy looks like a Van Trapp member.
Conditions steadily worsen and Close flees with the children to her maiden aunts. The latter could easily qualify as the daffy Brewster Sisters from "Arsenic and Old Lace" fame. Naturally, one is immediately able to tell that Close is with child.
The film is so dull that you actually root for the fires that erupt along the parched field and barn.
The rain eventually comes and Walken comes back for his family. They all head back to the farm and the film mercifully ends.
Annoying
Vibiana22 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
The original film, which I call "Sarah Big & Ugly" wasn't bad, even though I wanted to clout the two whiny little rug rats in it about every ten minutes. This one, however, like most sequels, was dreck.
Five second recap: Sarah and Jacob are watching the weather in Kansas get drier and drier while all their neighbors pack up and leave the prairie because their wells have dried up. The barn burns down and Sarah has an unintentionally hilarious Prozac-on-the-prairie moment when Jacob tries to shoot a coyote that's drinking from their scarce water supply. Probably thinking "I've got to get this crazy b**** out of my hair!" Jacob sends Sarah and the two whiny rug rats to stay with her relatives in Maine.
Did I mention these relatives? Man, were they weird. I could see where Sarah got it from, and also why they must have been so anxious to pack her skinny ass off to Kansas the first chance they got.
Through her patented Weird Old Lady telepathy abilities, Aunt Lou (who must be some sort of prehistoric bulldyke in her overalls, working at the veterinary clinic to boot) declares that Sarah's got a bun in the oven. Then Jacob shows up in a sissy city-boy ensemble to pack her and the kids home since, in fact, it has actually rained back in Kansas thanks to his skillful deployment of sitting on the porch listening to Sarah's victrola and looking mournful. And he's absolutely THRILLED to learn that the wife is knocked up. Gee, I can hardly wait for installment 3. Not.
Five second recap: Sarah and Jacob are watching the weather in Kansas get drier and drier while all their neighbors pack up and leave the prairie because their wells have dried up. The barn burns down and Sarah has an unintentionally hilarious Prozac-on-the-prairie moment when Jacob tries to shoot a coyote that's drinking from their scarce water supply. Probably thinking "I've got to get this crazy b**** out of my hair!" Jacob sends Sarah and the two whiny rug rats to stay with her relatives in Maine.
Did I mention these relatives? Man, were they weird. I could see where Sarah got it from, and also why they must have been so anxious to pack her skinny ass off to Kansas the first chance they got.
Through her patented Weird Old Lady telepathy abilities, Aunt Lou (who must be some sort of prehistoric bulldyke in her overalls, working at the veterinary clinic to boot) declares that Sarah's got a bun in the oven. Then Jacob shows up in a sissy city-boy ensemble to pack her and the kids home since, in fact, it has actually rained back in Kansas thanks to his skillful deployment of sitting on the porch listening to Sarah's victrola and looking mournful. And he's absolutely THRILLED to learn that the wife is knocked up. Gee, I can hardly wait for installment 3. Not.
Sarah's Resolve
nygrrl13 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I just came upon the Sarah Plain and Tall trilogy and was fascinated it by its quiet beauty, loyalty and dignity. To watch a family struggle to keep their way of life was so admirable. Jacob's innate love and connection to the land was both beauty and heartache, as it dwindled away by circumstances beyond his control. Sarah's love and beliefs in her husbands beliefs made her such a force, but ultimately he had to send her and their children to go to her family in order to ensure their safety. Neither gave up faith on each other or the land. It was a true test of love.
A rather shallow tale about a water shortage.
S0METHlNGWlCKED9 May 2005
Warning: Spoilers
A Short Synopsis: Jacob and Sarah Whitting (Christopher Walken and Glenn Close) and their children are struggling through a drought on their farm in Kansas in 1912. Their friends are all giving up on the land and packing up their families. The Whittings struggle to save the home they love, though Sarah doesn't believe she truly loves it. Throughout this hard time, Sarah selfishly wishes to have a child. A series of fires destroy crops and property, and as their water supply runs down, Jacob sends Sarah and the children, Caleb and Anna, to visit Sarah's relatives in Maine. After the long train ride, Sarah is reunited with old friends and relatives. Aunt Lou recognizes that Sarah is expecting, though she hasn't told anyone, and the children enjoy their first view of the sea that Sarah had so vividly described. Time passes, and both Jacob and Sarah suffer in their separation, longing for each other. Finally, the drought ends and Jacob comes to Maine. Sarah finally tells Jacob that they will soon be parents, and upon returning to Kansas, Sarah realizes her love of the land.
A Short Commentary: The first shot is of the dog, and the dog is really the only character who has not been drastically and horribly changed between the first and second movies. The writing was clichéd and the plot especially was childishly conceived and lacked complexity and sophistication. Both Christopher Walken and Glenn Close were one-dimensional, which is to be expected from Christopher and was very effective for his character in the first movie, but Glenn was equally unrealistic and unemotional. Considering that she was able to play a convincingly real Cruella DeVil, this must be chalked up to truly bad direction. Cinematographically, the film was quite poorly made: Scenes were repeatedly begun with a badly focused tracking shot, and the camera angles were less imaginative and more juvenile than the worst amateur filmmakers. The lighting, especially in the fire scenes, was atrocious.
In short, it is quite bad.
A Short Commentary: The first shot is of the dog, and the dog is really the only character who has not been drastically and horribly changed between the first and second movies. The writing was clichéd and the plot especially was childishly conceived and lacked complexity and sophistication. Both Christopher Walken and Glenn Close were one-dimensional, which is to be expected from Christopher and was very effective for his character in the first movie, but Glenn was equally unrealistic and unemotional. Considering that she was able to play a convincingly real Cruella DeVil, this must be chalked up to truly bad direction. Cinematographically, the film was quite poorly made: Scenes were repeatedly begun with a badly focused tracking shot, and the camera angles were less imaginative and more juvenile than the worst amateur filmmakers. The lighting, especially in the fire scenes, was atrocious.
In short, it is quite bad.
Playing for Rain
wes-connors28 August 2011
Two years after "Sarah, Plain and Tall" (1991), you will recall Maine mail-order bride Glenn Close (as Sarah) and Kansas prairie farmer Christopher Walken (as Jacob Witting) are a real, passionate and loving couple. And she has really and sincerely been accepted as mother to his children, Lexi Randall (as Anna) and Christopher Bell (as Caleb). Herein, their happiness is threatened by a drought. Reaching some emotional highs in her characterization, Ms. Close wants to fight the heat and have a baby. There is nothing seriously wrong with this "man versus nature" TV-movie sequel, but it does play like a stretched-out subplot to the original story. Eventually, it gets a little grating. The drought never stood a chance against this family, and you know it.
***** Skylark (2/7/93) Joseph Sargent ~ Glenn Close, Christopher Walken, Christopher Bell, Lexi Randall
***** Skylark (2/7/93) Joseph Sargent ~ Glenn Close, Christopher Walken, Christopher Bell, Lexi Randall
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