Kevin Gage in Love's Abiding Joy

Release 2006 Runtime 87 min. MCAA Rating PG for mild thematic elements Web Sites Official site IMDb From Amazon:  US DVD We use & recommend Netflix.com DVD Rentals No late fees, free shipping.

Love's Abiding Joy Cast and Crew

Kevin Gage: Abel

Other leading roles:
Logan Bartholomew as Willie LaHaye
Erin Cottrell as Missie LaHaye
John Laughlin as Samuel Doros

Director: Michael Landon, Jr.
Writer(s): Michael Landon Jr., Douglas Lloyd McIntosh and Bridget Terry
Based on: novel by Janette Oke

Love's Abiding Joy Synopsis

The fourth installment of Janette Oke's series of Missie and Willie LeHaye and their journey of faith and survival in the American frontier. Kevin Gage plays "Abel," enforcer for the town's corrupt mayor.

Love's Abiding Joy Brief Review

The main plot concerns Missie and Willie's personal lives. In the secondary plot, the town's power-hungry mayor, Samuel Doros (played by John Laughlin) is threatening Missie and Willie's family and friends. Kevin Gage plays "Abel," Doros' right-hand man. Abel is driver, bodyguard and enforcer, though in this PG film that translates to threats and glares rather than actual violence. He is in quite a few scenes.

From the Hallmark website: "Their family continuing to expand, Missie and Willie are learning to adjust to life on the range. Missie is enjoying teaching, while Willie, with his sons' and daughter's help, keeps their ranch stable and prosperous. But a tragedy in the family puts an emotional wedge between Missie and Willie, and they must endure much hardship, danger, and heartache to discover the true meaning of family and love."

This reviewer frankly found the movie disappointing. The religious aspect was expected, but it seemed more heavy-handed and preachy than necessary. The sets, makeup and costumes were too clean and attractive to be realistic of pioneer times, and most of the acting was pedestrian. Kevin Gage, John Laughlin ("Doros") and James Tupper ("Henry") were among the few whose performances were plausible.

The film had a short run in selected theaters, beginning October 6, 2006. Television premiere on the Hallmark Channel was December 16, 2006. The DVD was released January 2, 2007.

A side note: fans of TV's new show Men in Trees will recognize "Henry," the preacher turned rancher, as James Tupper, who plays "Jack" in MiT.

Love's Abiding Joy Articles & Interviews

A Movie Every Day: Love's Abiding Joy - MovieEveryDay.com, October 12, 2006
Reviewer Thompson gave Love's Abiding Joy a lukewarm review after viewing it in a theater, saying it "will disappoint purists expecting a reproduction of the book and viewers who go for big screen cinematography and sound which they cannot get at home on a DVD." He recaps the story and critiques the acting, then concludes, "It makes for a great Hallmark Special, but doesn't work as well on the big screen."

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Love's Abiding Joy Reviews & Other Resources

Hallmark Channel: Love's Abiding Joy - Description, brief clip, photograph and schedule of showings on the Hallmark Channel.

Love's Abiding Joy Official Website - From Fox Faith Movies, official site with synopsis, trailers and stills (they call them clips). Theater finder lists limited showings starting October 6, 2006. There is also a "Church Resources" section with downloadable discussion guide, web banners and printable postcards.

RHI Entertainment: Love's Abiding Joy - Distributor's website offers synopsis, cast/crew lists, and a gallery of over 100 small screenshots from Love's Abiding Joy.

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Photos: Kevin Gage in Love's Abiding Joy

Kevin Gage as "Abel," tough guy working for a corrupt mayor in the American west. We will have more screencaps after the DVD becomes available January 2, 2007.

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