I didn't see "Goodnight for Justice," the highest-rated film ever on the Hallmark Channel. But I can recognize what must have been its quiet charms in "Goodnight for Justice: The Measure of a Man" (8 tonight, Hallmark Movie Channel).
It's a Western where bullets miss more targets than they hit yet when they do hit, the deaths they cause are bloodless or shown from a distance. And even though there's an angry torch carrying mob, it stays a respectful distance away, so as not to really burn anything down.
In other words, it's old-fashioned, and what's wrong with that?
If you're new to the film's characters too, here's the run-down: The Goodnight in the title refers to Circuit Judge John Goodnight played by a scruffy but still handsome Luke Perry. He's super law-abiding in the Wild lawless West and travels through the West setting things straight. He quotes Emerson and reads Shakespeare. He could have easily been named John Goodguy.
In his latest town, he runs into an old love Callie Bluepoint (Stefanie von Pfetten), now a widow. But even before he can try his case or restart that flame, there's a bank robbery by the evil Deke Spradling (Teach Grant). Goodnight helps capture one of the gang who turns out to be a teenager named Will. As it turns out, he's also Callie's son.
All of a sudden, we're getting a lesson on what happens when boys grow up fatherless. Nowadays they turn to gangs and crime; then, they turned to ... gangs and crime. Turns out Spradling has been a much-needed father figure to Will. But he's a bad role model, what with the robbery and murder and all. What Will really needs is a good guy to guide him. Like Goodnight.
Perry's acting style is still emotionless, dry humored, and yet somehow appealing as it was during his 90210 days. He looks good in his fitted cowboy garb too. He's not convincing as a tough guy, but since he's the executive producer and came up with his character, he doesn't really have to be.
In the end, "Goodnight for Justice: The Measure of a Man" aims to teach us that being a man means doing right by your mama, making the right choices, living a decent life. Simplistic yes, but also true.
Assistant Features Editor Adrienne Johnson Martin would like to have her life turned into an animated cartoon. 
