This is a very interesting story about a father who left his daughter after her mother passed away and placed her with people to care for her and she never heard from him in over twenty-five years. This girls name is Cate Madighan, (Laura Leighton) who has become a great New York Editor of a New York City Magazine and is going to get married to an older well to do man. Cate suddenly receives a crate and a note which has been sent to her by her father who has died, and causes Cate to lose focus on her life and she has to make a decision and she finds it very hard to find an answer to her problem. As this film moves forward there are many answers that Cate finds out about herself and also what kind of person her father really was. There is great photography and some very romantic scenes.
8 Reviews
going home again.
ksf-21 February 2022
Originally for the hallmark channel, this is currently showing on roku streaming. So i'm sure it's family safe. Cate is a successful young woman, running a popular magazine. And engaged to be married. When her father passes away, his wish is to have his ashes scattered where they lived years ago. And to have his two friends sing at the memorial. But the two friends have a long feud going, and want no part of it. Is her own life as perfect as she thinks? Can she get everything ironed out? Stars laura leighton. It gets a bit sugary sweet and silly in places, but it's mostly good. Directed by neill fearnley. He appears to have worked mostly in television. Story by tracy rosen.
Nice but slow and predictable romance story.
TxMike7 November 2008
Warning: Spoilers
This is a made-for-TV movie and we saw it on the Hallmark channel this week. It is about an ambitious and successful young woman who is a magazine editor, and is also engaged to be married to an older wealthy businessman who, among other things, owns the magazine. They seem to have "consistent goals" but we, the audience, don't see any passion in their relationship. It resembles a business relationship.
Just turned 40 Laura Leighton is 30-something Cate Madighan, never married, bright and successful business woman. We see in a flashback scene that after her mother died when Cate was only 9, her dad put her with relatives so she could grow up properly. He vowed to return to her, and told her to write in her journal every day, and she could read the entries to him when he returned.
But dad never returned and Cate meanwhile pursued her career in New York City. When she got the news her dad had died, she was sad, but the story really kicked into motion when her dad's ashes showed up in her office, along with the request that she scatter them at a certain place on an island off the coast of Massachusetts, while two old friends sang an Irish song.
Cate wanted no part of this, but then decided that she didn't want to follow her dad's lead, and be non-responsive, so she traveled to complete his final request.
This is not a particularly novel story, but the actors are good to watch.
SPOILERS: The trip "back home" opened Cate's eyes to a number of things. Her dad cared for her more than she ever realized after reading letters he had written to his friends. She also met Sebastian Spence as Connor Bailey, who had traveled the world then settled back in this small community to practice law because that was more important to him. Connor and Cate became good friends, then more. Cate realized she did NOT want to live the life she and the older man had outlined, including NO CHILDREN. It looked like she and Connor were destined to become a couple. A side story was Cate's need to settle an old feud between the two old friends so that they would agree to sing together again. Connor was helpful in that resolution.
Just turned 40 Laura Leighton is 30-something Cate Madighan, never married, bright and successful business woman. We see in a flashback scene that after her mother died when Cate was only 9, her dad put her with relatives so she could grow up properly. He vowed to return to her, and told her to write in her journal every day, and she could read the entries to him when he returned.
But dad never returned and Cate meanwhile pursued her career in New York City. When she got the news her dad had died, she was sad, but the story really kicked into motion when her dad's ashes showed up in her office, along with the request that she scatter them at a certain place on an island off the coast of Massachusetts, while two old friends sang an Irish song.
Cate wanted no part of this, but then decided that she didn't want to follow her dad's lead, and be non-responsive, so she traveled to complete his final request.
This is not a particularly novel story, but the actors are good to watch.
SPOILERS: The trip "back home" opened Cate's eyes to a number of things. Her dad cared for her more than she ever realized after reading letters he had written to his friends. She also met Sebastian Spence as Connor Bailey, who had traveled the world then settled back in this small community to practice law because that was more important to him. Connor and Cate became good friends, then more. Cate realized she did NOT want to live the life she and the older man had outlined, including NO CHILDREN. It looked like she and Connor were destined to become a couple. A side story was Cate's need to settle an old feud between the two old friends so that they would agree to sing together again. Connor was helpful in that resolution.
rather predictable and flat
SnoopyStyle30 September 2015
In 1982 New Kerry, Massachusetts, young Cate's life is turned upside-down when her mother died. She is sent away to live with relatives. It's 2008. Cate Madighan (Laura Leighton) is a high powered magazine editor in NYC. She's preparing to marry older media tycoon Stewart who doesn't want any more kids. She is sent a music box from her father and a letter asking her to scatter his ashes in New Kerry. She is flustered and reluctantly goes on the quest with her assistant Jeffrey. She reconnects with childhood friend. She has to patch up estranged friends Cavanaugh and Donahue for her father. She falls for small town lawyer Connor Bailey.
It's big city girl who discovers small town charms. There is some functional personal drama. The romantic leads are solid but there is limited heat. The childhood friend could have been a great character but they need a higher caliber actress. The two old geezers could be fun but they don't go there. There is no edge to the dialog and no tension in the drama. This is rather predictable and flat.
It's big city girl who discovers small town charms. There is some functional personal drama. The romantic leads are solid but there is limited heat. The childhood friend could have been a great character but they need a higher caliber actress. The two old geezers could be fun but they don't go there. There is no edge to the dialog and no tension in the drama. This is rather predictable and flat.
Not too much going for it
dallaswhiskey3 September 2017
Well, I only watched it because Laura Leighton is in it, and as it turned out, that is the only reason to watch this TV movie. Leighton is believable and natural in the starring role and gorgeous as always. That's what the four stars are for.
Other than that, there is very little to it. I didn't think any of the characters had real depth. I found the male lead character rather boring. The story of Cate finding out more about her father and his motives falls short and unsatisfactory. Subplots involve a slight marital conflict and a falling out of two best friends, but there's not a lot to those either.
Oh, and the posh gay guy is not sharp enough a dresser for a posh gay guy.
The story takes place in a village that appears to be an Irish settlement in the state of Massachusetts, which adds a nice different flavour.
Other than that, there is very little to it. I didn't think any of the characters had real depth. I found the male lead character rather boring. The story of Cate finding out more about her father and his motives falls short and unsatisfactory. Subplots involve a slight marital conflict and a falling out of two best friends, but there's not a lot to those either.
Oh, and the posh gay guy is not sharp enough a dresser for a posh gay guy.
The story takes place in a village that appears to be an Irish settlement in the state of Massachusetts, which adds a nice different flavour.
Devotion is the word for Daniel's Daughter ***
edwagreen17 January 2009
Appealing television film where a woman, engaged to an older man, finds sudden love when her estranged father dies and she returns to the town of her birth to scatter his ashes.
Angered over the fact that her father never came back to her, after the death of her mother, the embittered young woman returns to show that she is the better person than he is.
While in this small Massachusetts town, she finds romance as well as her friend, married to a man consumed by weather reports, and her dad's friends feuding.
This is a story of 2 people falling in love and the realization that life is more than just working.
Angered over the fact that her father never came back to her, after the death of her mother, the embittered young woman returns to show that she is the better person than he is.
While in this small Massachusetts town, she finds romance as well as her friend, married to a man consumed by weather reports, and her dad's friends feuding.
This is a story of 2 people falling in love and the realization that life is more than just working.
"You Had Me At Fried Clams"
kathrynradmall31 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
A made for TV movie, this little gem, made under the Hallmark banner, follows a tried and tested formula; young woman engaged to unsuitable suitor realises, after a period of soul-searching and real-life examples of following one's heart, that her future lies in her home town with a good man who will treasure every moment in her company.
Daniel's dutiful daughter is Cate Madighan (Laura Leighton), editor-in-chief of Perfect magazine, returning to her childhood home to settle her late father's estate, despite his having maintained radio silence for the past twenty years. This requires taking time out from planning her wedding to high-powered executive, Stewart (Barry Flatman), who diarises their every move and views their marriage as a business merger rather than the union of soul mates we know Cate deserves.
Thank goodness for the arrival of Conner Bailey (Sebastian Spence) who hits on Cate during her first visit to the local hostelry, unaware that she is Promised To Another. (I should point out that my co-viewers have indicated they would cheerfully throw over any number of fiancés for the chance of getting their mitts on Mr Spence, but that is by the by.)
Cate's PA/confidante Jeffrey (Brandon Firla), accompanies her to the charming backwater, and although he initially balks at the rustic interior decor and is wary of his colleague's attraction to Conner, eventually discovers the joys of the local antique store and hand-crafted soft furnishings. He's also the voice of reason when Cate appears to be settling for cold-blooded New York executive instead of warm-hearted small town attorney.
Local colour is provided by Cate's old friend Fiona (Kelli Fox) and her rambunctious family and Donahue and Cavanaugh (Martin Doyle and Derek McGrath), Daniel's erstwhile band mates whose feud, also of twenty years' standing, threatens to derail the memorial service Cate has planned. Fortunately, a disagreement that seemed to require the services of a professional mediator is finally resolved with a quiet word in the pub, thanks to Conner.
Daniel's Daughter is a simple story of likeable characters, a photogenic, autumnal setting and a happy ending, which in times like these, may be what we all need.
Daniel's dutiful daughter is Cate Madighan (Laura Leighton), editor-in-chief of Perfect magazine, returning to her childhood home to settle her late father's estate, despite his having maintained radio silence for the past twenty years. This requires taking time out from planning her wedding to high-powered executive, Stewart (Barry Flatman), who diarises their every move and views their marriage as a business merger rather than the union of soul mates we know Cate deserves.
Thank goodness for the arrival of Conner Bailey (Sebastian Spence) who hits on Cate during her first visit to the local hostelry, unaware that she is Promised To Another. (I should point out that my co-viewers have indicated they would cheerfully throw over any number of fiancés for the chance of getting their mitts on Mr Spence, but that is by the by.)
Cate's PA/confidante Jeffrey (Brandon Firla), accompanies her to the charming backwater, and although he initially balks at the rustic interior decor and is wary of his colleague's attraction to Conner, eventually discovers the joys of the local antique store and hand-crafted soft furnishings. He's also the voice of reason when Cate appears to be settling for cold-blooded New York executive instead of warm-hearted small town attorney.
Local colour is provided by Cate's old friend Fiona (Kelli Fox) and her rambunctious family and Donahue and Cavanaugh (Martin Doyle and Derek McGrath), Daniel's erstwhile band mates whose feud, also of twenty years' standing, threatens to derail the memorial service Cate has planned. Fortunately, a disagreement that seemed to require the services of a professional mediator is finally resolved with a quiet word in the pub, thanks to Conner.
Daniel's Daughter is a simple story of likeable characters, a photogenic, autumnal setting and a happy ending, which in times like these, may be what we all need.
Sweet movie about finding the forgiveness in family
Anthobuzz4 January 2008
While slightly predictable, Daniel's Daughter is a sleepy and sweet drama focusing on finding the peace with past and present decisions.
High powered New York Magazine editor Cate Madighan (Laura Leighton) is living the good life - great job, a marriage on the cards and plenty of wealth but her life as she knows it comes crashing down when she gets news of her father's passing.
Having abandoned her as a child, Cate plans on heading to her home town for a brief visit to tie up loose ends only to find herself drawn in by old friends, new love interests and the last wishes of her dead father which make Cate question her current life back in New York.
High powered New York Magazine editor Cate Madighan (Laura Leighton) is living the good life - great job, a marriage on the cards and plenty of wealth but her life as she knows it comes crashing down when she gets news of her father's passing.
Having abandoned her as a child, Cate plans on heading to her home town for a brief visit to tie up loose ends only to find herself drawn in by old friends, new love interests and the last wishes of her dead father which make Cate question her current life back in New York.
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