The Note (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

October 9, 2008 by Dennis Amith 

“A touching film by best-selling author Angela Hunt, ‘The Note’ is a film that is not only touching and uplifting but a message that comes clear to the viewer that in life and sometimes through tragedy, there is always hope and to believe that miracles can come true.”

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FILM:  The Note

DISTRIBUTED BY: Sony Pictures Television

RATED: NOR RATED

DURATION: 87 minutes

DVD INFO.: 1:78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen

RELEASE DATE: October 7, 2008

THE TRAILER:

PRODUCTION: WILDRICE, LIGHTWORKS PICTURES & DOONE CITY PICTURES

STARRING: Genie Francis, Ted McGinley

DIRECTED BY: Douglas Barr

TELEPLAY BY: Paul W. Cooper, Based on a novel by Angela Hunt

PRODUCED BY: Steve Solomos

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: William Spencer Reilly, Joel S. Rice

MUSIC: Eric Allaman

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Derick Underschultz

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE NOTE THAT TOUCHES EVERYONE.

Following a tragic plane crash, Peyton MacGruder, a newspaper columnist discovers a note written by a father during his final moments and a nationwide search for the intended recipient begins.

The note takes her on a journey that changes the lives of everyone she meets.  As she searches to heal the heart of a stranger, she discovers that the life that’s changed most profoundly is her own.

Based on a novel by best-selling author Angela Hunt, ‘The Hote” stars Daytime Emmy award winner Genie Francis (TV’s “General Hospital”) and Ted McGinley (TV’s “Hope & Faith”) in a heartwarming holiday story.

Have you ever wondered about what goes through the minds of people who had only a few minutes left in their life before a tragedy?

This question is explored through an uplifting and touching film which was the #1 rated Hallmark film in 2007.

The film stars “General Hospital” Daytime Emmy award winner Genie Francis who plays the part of Peyton MacGruder, a newspaper columnist, who is on the verge of losing her job due to low readership.

On that same day, a flight crashes in the ocean and while she sits alone on the rocks near the ocean, she finds burnt wreckage and floating along the wreckage and stuck between the rocks is a plastic bag with a note.

From that moment on, Peyton knows that she needs to write a story to keep her job, improve her readership and what best than to write an ongoing column about finding out who the writer was and find the person who the letter was written for.

But during the process of writing the column, the note seems to have a positive affect for the people affected by the death of a love one on that flight but also through the journey of writing these columns and meeting these people, it opens up old wounds for Peyton and for her to confront emotions she has harbored inside her broken heart.

Also starring in the film is actor Ted McGinley (“Hope & Faith”) who plays a fellow award winning sportswriter who helps Peyton by giving her advice, encouragement but most of all, his loving heart.

VIDEO:

The film is featured in 1:75:1 anamorphic widescreen.  A lot of the scenes are shot indoors but for a Holiday film, a good touch of winter and everything looks pretty good.

AUDIO:

Audio is presented in English 5.1 (Dolby Digital).  The majority of the film is dialogue-based.  Audio is clearly heard.  No major use of surround sound or audio direction to certain channels in this type of film but nor is it really needed.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The DVD features two special features:

• “Notes from the Novelist: A Conversation with Angela Hunt”
• “Playing Peyton with Genie Francis”

I found the interview with Angela Hunt to be quite informative.  As a Christian woman, it was great to hear in her perspective of why the story was written and what she did to make sure her ideals and beliefs were featured in the storyline.  And the message the storyline brings.

The second featurette featuring actress Genie Francis talking about playing the part of Peyton MacGruder but the biggest part of all is Genie talking about one of the most controversial situations that involved her back in the 80′s as one of the major stars (especially her storyline) during the “Luke and Laura” years of “General Hospital” and explaining how she left it all because of what a co-worker told her.  And while leaving the soap opera during her storyline’s peak and by making an impulse decision to leave at the age of 19 because of anger, she hurt many people in the process.

She goes on to explain about the note and it’s message of forgiveness.  And that for her playing the part, just having to go through the pain back then as an actress but then finding enlightenment through playing the part of Peyton MacGruder.

I’m sure it was not easy for her too talk about it and the fact that she fully discusses it openly was a surprise but how it ties into her role and her appreciation for the film and also working with Ted McGinley was worth watching.  A very cool special feature!

“The Note” is such as uplifting and touching film.  I was very touched by the storyline and especially watching both Genie Francis and Ted McGinley in the film.

Before watching the film, the first thing that went in my head was Genie Francis…Laura of “General Hospital” and Ted McGinley from “Happy Days” and “Married With Children” and other comedic roles.

But growing up and watching Genie Francis, it’s so great to see her acting again and playing an authoritative but yet an emotional role.  She did a great job with this role and I hope to see more of her in the future.  As for Ted McGinley, it was great to see him in a serious role and both had awesome chemistry together onscreen.

And again, going back to the film, sure one can expect a tearjerker from a Hallmark film.  But I was very much impressed by the message of the film and the overall touching storyline.

We hear so much about tragedy, especially with yearly news of those affected by 9/11.  Also, perhaps in our own personal lives, we may know of someone affected by tragedy or perhaps tragedy has hit closer to hom and even hit us hard.  There is a lot of questions that can run through someone’s head and in this case, if one had a few minutes left of life, knowing that they may die, if you had a message to write, who would you write it to and what would you write?

In this film, the message is clear and simple but without spoiling it for you, I think anyone watching this film can truly appreciate the endearing message once revealed in the end.

The timing of this DVD is not only great for the holidays but for someone experiencing some sort of pain within their lives, the positive message in this film is quite touching.

All in all, a film that truly touches the soul!  Definitely worth watching!

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