Your Love Never Fails

Movie review by Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media
Your Love Never Fails Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 11+

Predictable TV movie bolsters family-centric values.

G 2011 96 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 14+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

No reviews yet.

Add your rating

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Your Love Never Fails is a lightweight romantic drama that champions family togetherness and simple rural values. Originally aired as a Hallmark Channel TV movie, it's an earnest, wholesome film from beginning to end. The issue at hand is an impending divorce and disputed child custody arrangements. Life in the big city (New York) is contrasted with life on a ranch in Texas. The child involved is well-adjusted, well-loved, and never in danger. A minister appears in several scenes and offers spiritual references to the Bible and its lessons about marriage.

Community Reviews

Chelles1
Chelles1 Adult
June 1, 2020
age 18+

Parental decision required

This is a great tale of a married couple getting back together but be warned, if you are in a similar situation and your child is watching this show and your child wants you to get back together with your spouse, this is going to open a lot of wounds for your child. As we all know, not all marriages can be saved and if yours can’t, your child is going to feel the grief all over again if they want you back together again. Aside from that, I would have felt more comfortable watching if the pastor wasn’t quite so young (as in close to Laura’s age) and good looking. For a minute, I thought Laura was going to end up with the pastor who married her and Dylan.… weird. And the casting isn’t great. Laura looks so old (or Dylan looks so young) it was like she is Dylan’s mother. Weird pairing. The little girl though is luminous, what a beautiful child and such amazing acting. She broke my heart when she cried. We adults really need to start doing better for our children.
clgideon
clgideon Adult
October 22, 2015
age 10+

Worth watching!

Very good for families in divorce/separation situations..Family-centric values

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS, it's been a long time since 9-year-old Kelsey (Kirstin Dorn) has seen her dad. Living in New York with her busy bank executive mom Laura (Elisa Donovan), Kelsey's visits back to Texas and her dad Dylan's ranch haven't been regular at all. Kelsey misses him, but she's content with her life. All that changes when her mom is summoned home to address a newly-filed custody request. Dylan (Brad Rowe) is desperate to be an important part of Kelsey's life. Mom and daughter's initially reluctant return to Texas finds them dealing with conflict in the courtroom, the re-establishment of old relationships, and unexpected lovely days spent enjoying small town pleasures and Dylan's beautiful ranch. Despite the escalating pressure from Laura's New York boss, what surprises the estranged family most are revisiting old feelings and exploring the possibility of new ones.

Is It Any Good?

Message-driven with a charmingly natural performance by Kirstin Dorn as Kelsey, the film never transcends its reliance on by-the-numbers cliches, unsound plotting, and contrived situations. It's a well-meaning, if incompetent film. The messages are simplistic: ranch life is idyllic; big cities are impersonal and materialistic; divorce is never to be taken lightly.

It appears that the filmmakers made easy choices based on convenience rather than logic. The courtroom scenes, headed by a judge (Catherine Hicks with the only Southern accent on display and a terrible one at that) can't be taken seriously. A ludicrous but pivotal plot premise is that no one could afford plane trips for Kelsey's visits to Dylan despite his considerable ranch restoration, his new business, and Laura's high level bank job. Still, for families who like neat, happy endings, cute animals and pretty scenery, and at least one feisty little girl may find it an acceptable time-filler.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can discuss movies with strong messages. What is the intended message in this movie? Why is important to be aware of the intent of the filmmakers?

  • Kelsey was frustrated by her parents' choices and felt left out of the decision-making process. How can you make sure that you are heard in your home when it is important to you?

  • What are pros and cons of living in a big city as opposed living in the country and vice versa. What do you like about where you live?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate