Well done to Hallmark for this excellent movie. This is a 'love' story which at the same time examines forgiveness, betrayal, jealousy and ultimately taking the opportunities in life when love comes along. The male lead gives a fine performance yet the real star is Vanessa Redgrave; this actress has such depth and radiance that she dominates the movie with her enormous charisma, charm and screen presence. Without doubt a super star.
10 Reviews
Another winner from Hallmark
Melissa Alice19 December 2002
This story, set in a nursing home, is more than it at first appears. With a thickening plot and emotional turmoil building, a young man named Michael (played well by Chad Willet) cares for an elderly woman named Esther (played very well by Vanessa Redgrave). Or is it that Esther cares for Michael? One part I didn't like much was in a dance setting (kissing), but overall it was a very decent film with no swearing. With great acting a touching story, this is another winner from Hallmark Hall of Fame.
enjoyable, if not always positive
vchimpanzee9 December 2002
At the start of the movie a man is caring for his dying mother. We later find out his father was a drunk who left them. After the mother dies, the man goes to work in an elegant nursing home and meets Esther, a bitter elderly woman played convincingly by Vanessa Redgrave. Both of them help each other resolve problems from their pasts. In Esther's case, a man named Thomas went to war without knowing how she felt about him. Both ended up marrying other spouses and the romance that could have been was not allowed to happen. The man sees Esther's and Thomas' pictures in a locket and tries to find Thomas. Meanwhile, the man ends up losing his girlfriend when she goes away to school, and her father wants him to stay away from her so she will complete her education. Esther also persuades the man to confront his father. The movie gets quite interesting after the man dates a co-worker who ends up causing trouble for him; she only works at the home because of family connections, and does not have the real concern for people her job would require. A pleasant family movie with some adult situations but no sex or bad language and only hints of and discussions about violence.
masterfully sentimental
allan-812 May 2003
chad willet and vanessa redgrave are authentic and genuine in this masterpiece which i've seen thrice and gotten tears in my eyes every time - and i am not usually sentimental. the powerful emotions of trust, love, kindness, betrayal are skillfully portrayed and i will be watching this movie over and again over the years.
One of my most favorite Hallmark movies
orient_celts16 February 2004
Warning: Spoilers
The movie opens at the time Michael Keddington is caring for his mother but she eventually passes away, leaving Michael despondent. Taken cue from a doctor-friend's advice, he applies for work at the nursing home. There, he is assigned to take care of Esther and a fledging friendship arise that later becomes a strong bond between them until the end.
There were a lot of favorite parts from the movie but the ones that stood out were: Michael and Esther scenes. To me, those scenes touched me in various levels especially when Esther tells him that she believes in him during his court trial period (Michael felt all parts of his life was tumbling down ie: he broke up with his gf and his scholarship was retracted) when no one else seem to believe that he didn't kill Henry (one of the Nursing home's residents). Esther was also instrumental in leading Faye back to Michael's side. The movie also tells of forgiveness and healing.
There were a lot of favorite parts from the movie but the ones that stood out were: Michael and Esther scenes. To me, those scenes touched me in various levels especially when Esther tells him that she believes in him during his court trial period (Michael felt all parts of his life was tumbling down ie: he broke up with his gf and his scholarship was retracted) when no one else seem to believe that he didn't kill Henry (one of the Nursing home's residents). Esther was also instrumental in leading Faye back to Michael's side. The movie also tells of forgiveness and healing.
Faith Is The Key To All Your Answers
wkkl1320 May 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The Locket is a movie mainly about faith. Michael Keddington lost his mother due to lung cancer which made him devastated...not to mention his alcoholic father...Due to his doctor's advice, he decided to work in White wood, an old-folks home. There he was assigned to take care of a bitter reluctant old woman named Esther Huish. She didn't accept Michael at first but soon she found out that both of them had similar problems in their life. So she befriended him...guiding him in everything. She taught him how to forgive and how to have faith in everything he does. Shortly, after everything Michael was facing was solved, Esther died of old age along with other health problems.
This show has proved itself to be a remarkable Hallmark film. When I watched this spectacular movie, I was overwhelmed. It's all about romance, drama, and most importantly...faith. It's almost a crime to miss it. If you're from Malaysia, catch it on Hallmark channel Astro...
This show has proved itself to be a remarkable Hallmark film. When I watched this spectacular movie, I was overwhelmed. It's all about romance, drama, and most importantly...faith. It's almost a crime to miss it. If you're from Malaysia, catch it on Hallmark channel Astro...
I feel I must write something as a warning to others...
jthekoz4 August 2007
After reading the mostly glowing comments about this movie I decided to rent it despite some suspicions of TV movies. I should have followed my instincts.
I tried so hard to warm up to the movie and find merit in it but I just couldn't. The story never draws you in or rings true and the acting is perfunctory at best and laughable at worst. Everything in this production is amateurish.
Always a joy to watch, Mary McDonnell may be the only performer to escape this disaster without damaging her career or reputation. I won't even bother checking the name of the leading man - hopefully he's back doing commercials.
Even poor Vanessa Redgrave, whom I adore and respect, seemed to be channeling Katherine Hepburn all the time appearing as if she were really drugged in the home. Maybe she needed the money.
If I can save one person from wasting 100 minutes on this tripe I will feel vindicated.
I tried so hard to warm up to the movie and find merit in it but I just couldn't. The story never draws you in or rings true and the acting is perfunctory at best and laughable at worst. Everything in this production is amateurish.
Always a joy to watch, Mary McDonnell may be the only performer to escape this disaster without damaging her career or reputation. I won't even bother checking the name of the leading man - hopefully he's back doing commercials.
Even poor Vanessa Redgrave, whom I adore and respect, seemed to be channeling Katherine Hepburn all the time appearing as if she were really drugged in the home. Maybe she needed the money.
If I can save one person from wasting 100 minutes on this tripe I will feel vindicated.
10 Stars all the way
jewelch8 January 2021
"The Locket" is filled with hurt, love, anger, forgiveness, kindness, and regret. I was captured by the screenplay and the acting. This is a wonderful film about many of life's lessons as taught to Michael Keddington by a lonely old lady, Esther Huish. She shows Michael to follow his heart, not to be just "realistic" or "practical." She shows him that he is hurting himself by harboring feelings of hate and anger towards his own father. While sometimes slow moving, this film captures the recipe for leading a wonderful and fulfilling life. This film is another reason why Hallmark Hall of Fame has been so successful over the years. They keep producing films that are entertaining yet free from graphic violence, sex and language. Vanessa Redgrave gives a wonderful performance and her fans will thoroughly enjoy her in the role of Esther Huish. "The Locket" is pure gold! James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 1/8/2020
Not quite a bait and switch; other problems
Jackbv12324 January 2024
This movie starts out teasing us with a young romance and then introducing us to a might-have-been love story of the past as seen through the eyes of Vanessa Redgrave's character, Esther. I think Esther's story is really the main focus of the movie.
There is another subplot about Michael's father which plays into the story with Esther.
A little more than halfway through the movie takes a bitter and unrelated turn which briefly distracts from Esther's story although it does serve as a tool to enhance the other one. I was disgusted by this turn. I saw no warning whatsoever of this turn into a completely different genre which dominates the story through the next 34 minutes of run time. After watching the movie, I surveyed other reviews and one spoiler by orient_celts describes it. I watch the particular genres offered by Hallmark to avoid where this movie briefly went which is a subject I avoid like the plague in fiction.
I didn't see enough to sell the ending as far as it concerns Michael's relationship status. The end of Esther's story is good.
The acting is mixed. I thought Redgrave was credible, and McDonnell who had a lesser part. Others not so much.
There is another subplot about Michael's father which plays into the story with Esther.
A little more than halfway through the movie takes a bitter and unrelated turn which briefly distracts from Esther's story although it does serve as a tool to enhance the other one. I was disgusted by this turn. I saw no warning whatsoever of this turn into a completely different genre which dominates the story through the next 34 minutes of run time. After watching the movie, I surveyed other reviews and one spoiler by orient_celts describes it. I watch the particular genres offered by Hallmark to avoid where this movie briefly went which is a subject I avoid like the plague in fiction.
I didn't see enough to sell the ending as far as it concerns Michael's relationship status. The end of Esther's story is good.
The acting is mixed. I thought Redgrave was credible, and McDonnell who had a lesser part. Others not so much.
A lovely movie, with another great turn by Redgrave; the plot has almost too many issues for one film, however!
inkblot1117 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Michael (Chad Willett) had been taking care of his ailing and dying mother for years, preventing him from working elsewhere. The two couldn't afford other care and Michael wanted to stay with his mother anyway, due to longterm abuse by the father (Terry O'Quinn), no longer around. Now, with his mother deceased, Michael wonders what to do with himself. Happily, a job in a nursing home opens up near him, fitting his skills in patient care. Also, Michael has submitted an application for a major college scholarship. Perhaps, at some near point, Michael can get married to his longtime, beautiful girlfriend, Faye (Marguerite Moreau). Not so fast, alas. One, Faye gets accepted to UCLA medical school, a long distance away from Nevada. Two, and more importantly, Faye's father asks Michael to exit her life, feeling he is not good enough for his little gal. Huh. In the meanwhile, Michael makes friends with a lonely resident, Esther (Vanessa Redgrave), whose will to live is not strong. She has a locket and a tale of lost love in her head, you see. But, Michael succeeds in gaining her trust and affection. The handsome nurse's aid even begins a search for E's former, near-fiancé. Yet, because Faye leaves to go to school and their future is uncertain, Michael accepts a New Year's Eve outing with fellow worker Alice. This young lady is the daughter of the owner and she is being groomed for a leadership position. However, although at times she seems friendly, Michael is aghast to find her abusing a patient, Henry (Brock Peters). All too soon, Michael is framed for murder, instead, for this abuse, as Henry dies soon after. Michael tells his court-appointed attorney that he is innocent. But, wait kind of future awaits this seemingly fine man?This is a lovely film, made with care by the high-standard folks at Hallmark. The cast, including the superb Redgrave and Mary McConnell as the nursing home director, gives the movie a powerful asset, for the story has almost too many matters to lay out. These include spousal abuse, nursing home situations, lost loves, murder, and the more. It's almost too much to fit into one flick! That said, the setting is quite lovely and the direction keeps the tale from becoming totally derailed. Those who like Hallmark films should find this new addition to the Hall of Fame offerings.
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