One of my favorite romantic books ever turned into a completely and I mean COMPLETELY different story! Too bad , I really love this book. In fact I don't know how many Times I even read it. The movie is fun and cute but it's truly another story. They missed entire Abby / Travis playing hot / cold. Parker is an idiot in book but not in this way. I just wish they really did justice to this book. But hey at least more people will find out about it and read it. If you haven't already you should. It's amazing love story of bad boy and virgin girl. Really really!!! Can someone start doing justice to good books please? 😊
179 Reviews
Beautiful Disaster
CinemaSerf13 April 2023
I fully expected to hate this - but, well, I didn't. "Abby" (Virginia Gardner) is fed up picking up the pieces for her gambler father so heads to college in California. First night there, she and her pal "America" (Libe Barer) head off to a student equivalent of "Fight Club" where she meets the bare knuckle champion "Travis" (Dylan Sprouse). Replete with some of his latest victim's blood on her top, she feigns a loathing for the man but... Shortly afterwards, their dorm water supply runs dry and she has to move in with her friend. Guess what? Yep, one of her new roomies is none other than the mischievous pugilist. There now follows a rather contrived - and frankly ridiculous - bet that sees her end up sharing his bed for a month, Will they, won't they? That doesn't matter - this film isn't about jeopardy. It's about pretty people having a bit of a laugh and hoping some of that rubs off on us. I found there to a bit of chemistry between the two, "Travis" is actually quite charismatic and the humour is marginally more sophisticated than we would find in, say, the interminable "After..." series of teen melodramas. It's trying to do grown up, and it makes a half-decent fist of it. The last twenty minutes are particularly daft though - and did rather ruin the thing. It certainly does not need a cinema viewing (even though there were certainly 50+ people at the screening I attended) - but even if it is too long, it's still an OK watch.
A beautiful disaster
katrinemolsen19 July 2023
I wasn't expecting to much, so this movie never disappointed me and I was entertained:-)
It is what the title says: a beautiful disaster. It's a beautiful cast and they where perfectly suited for their parts, but the rest was pretty much a disaster. This is clearly a low budget movie and could have easily been a lot better, if they wanted to make it better. I'm not familiar with the storyline of the books and don't have any desire to read them, but I like the premise and the plot have potential. Not blockbuster potential, but it could have been better executed. I do hope they makes the sequels.
It is what the title says: a beautiful disaster. It's a beautiful cast and they where perfectly suited for their parts, but the rest was pretty much a disaster. This is clearly a low budget movie and could have easily been a lot better, if they wanted to make it better. I'm not familiar with the storyline of the books and don't have any desire to read them, but I like the premise and the plot have potential. Not blockbuster potential, but it could have been better executed. I do hope they makes the sequels.
Cringe
LDG0008723 April 2023
I created an account to save other people from seeing this. It's the worst movie I have ever seen. I'm still getting flashbacks that make me cringe. There's nothing sexy and the dialogue made me want to sink into my chair. It's like a horror movie where the horror is replaced by second-hand embarrassment. The music starts and stops at weird places, they had more realistic fights in the sex scenes then the fight scenes and the girl actually throws up in his face! At least 50 shades of grey made me laugh (in the wrong places), but this just made me want to drink so much I could forget ever seeing it.
It is SO bad that is good???!!
hanalisss28 May 2023
I mean this movie is just so chaotic and crazy I don't even know how to describe it.
The movie is a bunch of cliché and cringeworthy events, cheap jokes and loads of bizarre unexpected turns.
Is this a dark comedy? A satire? A rom com? A chick flick? An action movie? IM SO CONFUSED and I still had loads of fun watching it!
You won't be able to take one single thing seriously and at the same time there's something deep and raw in every character and how they behave.
The chemistry between the leads is off the charts and although I have never watched Dylan Sprouse acting before, i am a fan now. He seems to be in a second skin and although the script is not great he makes us feel like he isn't even acting and you are watching a day of his life as a punk but sensitive Romeo fighter.
The girl's acting is awkward but quirky and funny at the same time and somehow that works too.
I don't know what I was expecting when I started watching it but this wasn't it and I'm all for it.
Lighthearted, silly and fast and very hot charismatic male lead.
The movie is a bunch of cliché and cringeworthy events, cheap jokes and loads of bizarre unexpected turns.
Is this a dark comedy? A satire? A rom com? A chick flick? An action movie? IM SO CONFUSED and I still had loads of fun watching it!
You won't be able to take one single thing seriously and at the same time there's something deep and raw in every character and how they behave.
The chemistry between the leads is off the charts and although I have never watched Dylan Sprouse acting before, i am a fan now. He seems to be in a second skin and although the script is not great he makes us feel like he isn't even acting and you are watching a day of his life as a punk but sensitive Romeo fighter.
The girl's acting is awkward but quirky and funny at the same time and somehow that works too.
I don't know what I was expecting when I started watching it but this wasn't it and I'm all for it.
Lighthearted, silly and fast and very hot charismatic male lead.
Worst movie I have ever seen
laurendair14 April 2023
This movie was a DISASTER, for sure not a beautiful one. The girl who played Abby is the worst actor I have ever seen. I could have walked up day of shooting and done a better job than her. It's honestly hard for me to think they watched this back and then signed off on it. If my ticket wasn't $20, I would have left the theater. As someone who has read this whole series multiple times, the day they were released, the movie was an utter disappointment. They turned it into a rom-com and then tried way too hard to be funny so then it wasn't actually funny. There was no depth or even conversation that would warrant love leading up to the "I love You's". I know they can't put everything from the book in the movie but my goodness. They took everything that made the book good out and replaced it with terrible acting, no plot, and lame comedy. 1000000/10 DO NOT RECOMMEND.
It is what is meant to be
rhaianyleicy15 April 2023
I was pleasantly surprised by this movie, I expected not to like it at all. It's actually pretty funny and I got some good laughs out of it. It is not trying hard to be a serious romantic story and instead it embraced and poked fun at the predictability of the cliches and I enjoyed that. I was worried about how they would portray the characters/their relationship since in the book it is pretty problematic/borderline abusive but they definitely softened it up and made it entertaining. Clearly not meant to be taken seriously! Just an enjoyable movie with some spicy scenes and questionable (but good!) acting.
Laughably bad, but at least I laughed.
inez19875 May 2023
Laughably bad, but at least I laughed.
This movie was nothing like the book, except for the character's names. The acting was atrocious and there was barely any chemistry...I came for the steam, but there is no water in my iron, so everything came out forced. I did not believe him as a fighter, so every scene he fought in made me laugh...his one liners made him seem more Spiderman than a brawler. Her gambling scene seemed more juvenile than something that would happen in real life. There was some funny moments but at one point I was wondering if I was laughing because it was funny or because it was sad.
This movie was nothing like the book, except for the character's names. The acting was atrocious and there was barely any chemistry...I came for the steam, but there is no water in my iron, so everything came out forced. I did not believe him as a fighter, so every scene he fought in made me laugh...his one liners made him seem more Spiderman than a brawler. Her gambling scene seemed more juvenile than something that would happen in real life. There was some funny moments but at one point I was wondering if I was laughing because it was funny or because it was sad.
Did the writers read the book?
anapoles873 May 2023
The movie in itself is cute. If I wouldn't of read the book, I would've thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was hoping to see the slow burn of Travis & Abby and see how they really fell in love. The book gives so much detail and I was sad that we only saw what I would call the CliffsNotes version.
Unfortunately, this movie was really rushed and if you didn't read the book before, you may not understand the whole thing. I understand sometimes the books don't always translate well to movies. However, this movie had an incredible amount of potential and I feel that the writers didn't actually read the book 1st.
I was hoping to see the slow burn of Travis & Abby and see how they really fell in love. The book gives so much detail and I was sad that we only saw what I would call the CliffsNotes version.
Unfortunately, this movie was really rushed and if you didn't read the book before, you may not understand the whole thing. I understand sometimes the books don't always translate well to movies. However, this movie had an incredible amount of potential and I feel that the writers didn't actually read the book 1st.
Just all around disappointing
Hurricanekay14 April 2023
I will never understand why someone in the film industry would read a book, enjoy it so much to a point they want to adapt it into a movie, and then proceed to change the ENTIRE thing. Did the script writer even read the book? Why would the author sign off on such major changes? One of the worst book to movie adaptations I have ever seen. Bad casting, bad music score, cringey, cheesy, awkward. The story is not a romantic comedy, so why turn it into one? I knew going in, it would be a disappointment. I didn't think it would be THIS big of a disappointment. The scenes felt rushed, the sex was just weird, some of the chemistry seems forced. An hour and 45 minutes I'll never get back. All around just bad, bad, bad.
HILARIOUS on purpose
claudiesaulnier8 October 2023
I have no clue why IMDB indicates this is a drama. It might skew the whole reception of that movie which, I understand, is a dramatic novel adaptation.
Regardless of how a movie adaptation can drift away from the original material that much, the picture is just brilliant! I had not laughed out loud like this (scream laughing really) in a loooong time. The whole thing is completely ridiculous in the best way possible, pushing already ridiculous dark romance tropes to their extremes.
Actors are just as brilliant, so is the overbearing soundtrack. To me, this marks the birth of a completely new genre where smut meets high caliber comedy. Beautiful Disaster is bound to become a cult classic. I just loved the whole thing!
Regardless of how a movie adaptation can drift away from the original material that much, the picture is just brilliant! I had not laughed out loud like this (scream laughing really) in a loooong time. The whole thing is completely ridiculous in the best way possible, pushing already ridiculous dark romance tropes to their extremes.
Actors are just as brilliant, so is the overbearing soundtrack. To me, this marks the birth of a completely new genre where smut meets high caliber comedy. Beautiful Disaster is bound to become a cult classic. I just loved the whole thing!
If you've not read the book - DON'T do it now
selinamueller9 May 2023
I watched this movie and found it - for a romcom- quite nice. It is funny, its kinda sexy and I was surprised that Abby was fun and relatable. The plot progressed well and i loved both main characters.
Then I read the book. WOW was it bad. There was so much problematic stuff going on with Travis as a character and Abby was such a typical "i'm not like other girls" not to mention the s*** shaming that happened in the books.
I'm so happy with what the writers did with the material and how they brought the story to 2023. Also they left out a bunch of side characters and really put emphasis on the story ALSO leaving out a third of the "on-off" toxic relationship stuff. One of the best book - to - movie - adaptions I've seen.
I would watch the movie again, but the book needs to be incinerated.
Then I read the book. WOW was it bad. There was so much problematic stuff going on with Travis as a character and Abby was such a typical "i'm not like other girls" not to mention the s*** shaming that happened in the books.
I'm so happy with what the writers did with the material and how they brought the story to 2023. Also they left out a bunch of side characters and really put emphasis on the story ALSO leaving out a third of the "on-off" toxic relationship stuff. One of the best book - to - movie - adaptions I've seen.
I would watch the movie again, but the book needs to be incinerated.
Disappointment
fayes-419056 May 2023
Bad acting, bad casting, bad adaptation. Do not watch this if you enjoyed the book. From start to finish it's bad, there's no redeeming qualities to this film! Parker looks about 50. The twins, yes fraternal but one looks 10 years older. One of the reasons Travis was interested in Abby was her not being interested in him, yet she seems to pine after him. Their relationship is not believable. You don't get the idea that Travis sleeps around with everyone and makes a change for her. I cannot believe how bad this film is. The actors are awful, not casted well at all and the acting is atrocious. Disappointed from start to finish.
Disaster
hodsha16 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Worst movie ever. Don't waste your time. Especially if you've read the book.
There's no depth at all between the characters, everything happened in a rush between them, there's no build-up at all to their 'relationship' and an utter failure in trying to make the movie funny... bad acting, especially from Abby did not help their case either. There was nothing believable about her character at all.
And the music was terrible and out of place, it ruined every chance of actually feeling something - if there had been anything to feel, that is.
Why they tried to make their relationship about sex and only sex is beyond me since the book had way more depth than that, where the plot was different and the characters actually cared more about each other than each other's bodies. Disappointing to say the least! If you've read the book and actually enjoyed it, don't watch the movie. You've been warned.
There's no depth at all between the characters, everything happened in a rush between them, there's no build-up at all to their 'relationship' and an utter failure in trying to make the movie funny... bad acting, especially from Abby did not help their case either. There was nothing believable about her character at all.
And the music was terrible and out of place, it ruined every chance of actually feeling something - if there had been anything to feel, that is.
Why they tried to make their relationship about sex and only sex is beyond me since the book had way more depth than that, where the plot was different and the characters actually cared more about each other than each other's bodies. Disappointing to say the least! If you've read the book and actually enjoyed it, don't watch the movie. You've been warned.
Solid Rom Com
Scandal_101613 April 2023
I caught this through Fathom Events last night and though I rarely leave reviews I thought I would since I was so pleasantly surprised. Aside from a couple jarring plot jumps (that were pretty easy to overlook considering the context) I think this was a really solid rom-com entry and way better than the source material. It was funnier than I expected but took itself seriously enough you cared; fine acting, charming and mostly believable characters and great chemistry between the two leads, also. I also loved seeing Brian Austin Green in a role I didn't expect. There was a fun shout out to the 'After' series, too. I enjoyed it.
No one producing this movie read the book
emilythompson-920045 May 2023
This "movie" was terrible, and giving it a one-star is honestly too kind. For one, the cast was wrong. I'm sorry, but Dylan Sprouse doesn't "tower" over the girl. They're at eye level. Find someone attractive, or at the very least, someone who resembles the book character. In the book, it is repeatedly noted that Travis is tall, muscular, and good-looking, and Dylan Sprouse doesn't even remotely resemble that. I won't even bother with the woman they cast. Secondly, not only was the acting something out of a high school play, but the storyline doesn't match the book!!! I won't get into any specifics there - anyone that's skimmed the book can see that, but I think it should be addressed that at no point was this book ever labeled or conveyed as a romantic comedy. The comedy that was incorporated into this movie was, if anything, uncomfortable to watch and made this movie that much more unbearable.
Whoever produced and directed this movie ruined not only a beautiful book but also displayed how terrible they are at making movies. Find a new career.
Whoever produced and directed this movie ruined not only a beautiful book but also displayed how terrible they are at making movies. Find a new career.
Fun and funny young romantic comedy particularly for those who haven't read the books.
cgvsluis25 May 2023
This film is based on book one (of the same name) in a series written by Jamie McGuire. The books are hugely popular and come with a large following. This is the reason they are in my "to be read" stack. Not having read the books may be a blessing in disguise, if other reviews are to be believed. I went into this film blind and I enjoyed it at face value.
This is the story of Abby Abernathy, a child prodigy poker player whose gambling father Mick used her to bail him out of debt time and time again (even though it is illegal for minors to gamble), until Abby runs away to college where she wants to have a drama (or crazy) free experience. She goes to the same college in California as her best friend America, which is how she meets America's boyfriend Shepley along with his bad boy cousin Travis Maddox. Travis is a ufc style cage fighter and after the two (Abby and Travis) make a bet, Abby ends up living with Travis and Shepley for 30 days.
I love a good hate to love romance and a good girl with bad boy romance, so this was right up my alley. I enjoyed it for what it was and thought the leads had great chemistry together (even though the first sex scene in Vegas was a bit awkward...as was Travis flexing and practicing what he should say to Abby). The humor was fun and on point...including the photo montage at the end.
I think if you are a fan of the romantic genre and haven't read the books that you will enjoy this film and based on that I highly recommend it to romantics out there. Also of note, Being a massive Silk Stalkings fan (I watched it with my roommate in college!) and an even bigger Rob Estes fan, I loved seeing him with a role in this film. I also really enjoyed seeing Autumn Reeser outside of a hallmark film.
This is the story of Abby Abernathy, a child prodigy poker player whose gambling father Mick used her to bail him out of debt time and time again (even though it is illegal for minors to gamble), until Abby runs away to college where she wants to have a drama (or crazy) free experience. She goes to the same college in California as her best friend America, which is how she meets America's boyfriend Shepley along with his bad boy cousin Travis Maddox. Travis is a ufc style cage fighter and after the two (Abby and Travis) make a bet, Abby ends up living with Travis and Shepley for 30 days.
I love a good hate to love romance and a good girl with bad boy romance, so this was right up my alley. I enjoyed it for what it was and thought the leads had great chemistry together (even though the first sex scene in Vegas was a bit awkward...as was Travis flexing and practicing what he should say to Abby). The humor was fun and on point...including the photo montage at the end.
I think if you are a fan of the romantic genre and haven't read the books that you will enjoy this film and based on that I highly recommend it to romantics out there. Also of note, Being a massive Silk Stalkings fan (I watched it with my roommate in college!) and an even bigger Rob Estes fan, I loved seeing him with a role in this film. I also really enjoyed seeing Autumn Reeser outside of a hallmark film.
Massive Disaster
rochellejonescherry13 April 2023
It's a given films aren't always as good as the book but at least they follow the storyline.....not even close.
Continuity was just completely lost. GoT coffee cup scene made more sense than the random-rushed experience of this movie.
Why waste 2 hrs on a film if you're just randomly piecing something together.
Did the scriptwriter even read any of the book?
Hopefully they can re-cut it into something decent.
Casting was the best part of the movie.
There are smaller production companies that have done massively better movies with considerably lower budgets.
Seriously considered asking for a refund.
Continuity was just completely lost. GoT coffee cup scene made more sense than the random-rushed experience of this movie.
Why waste 2 hrs on a film if you're just randomly piecing something together.
Did the scriptwriter even read any of the book?
Hopefully they can re-cut it into something decent.
Casting was the best part of the movie.
There are smaller production companies that have done massively better movies with considerably lower budgets.
Seriously considered asking for a refund.
Campy Fun
winda9713 August 2023
A timeless classic it's not, but I had a great time watching this movie. It felt like the producers replaced all of the After self-seriousness with a healthy dose of lighthearted self-awareness, and the result is so much more watchable. Especially in the first half, each predictable plot turn came with a big wink to the audience, which somehow made me forgive the predictability and just go along for the ride. The two leads had excellent chemistry - I was especially impressed by Dylan Sprouse, who came across very charming but authentic. I'd watch another self-deprecating romcom like this, over the treacly fare that's dominated the genre for a while.
Disaster!!
garciahannah-2998613 April 2023
They got the disaster part right. Probably would've done better if they had flat out changed the name of the movie. Laughed at the bad acting the entire time, I've seen better acting on my grandma's soap operas. Pretty sure casting and director never even read the book. Turned one of my favorites into an absolute joke. The only thing I can say they got right is the name of the characters. Major disappointment. You know when someone talks a lot but says nothing at all, that's this movie. Missing plots that created the characters and honestly it didn't even tell a story. Do not waste your time..
Just Forget about the Book...
acsellers-9857315 June 2023
...this movie was such an unexpected surprise. A perfect steamy rom com, and satisfying guilty pleasure. The people mad about it not being remotely like the book, I get it. But if you take this movie for only itself, it was a blast, hilarious, and thoroughly enjoyable for those of us who just like a film that doesn't take itself too seriously. I loved the playfulness and the guts of the writers to make the female protagonist her own person: not remotely perfect and a touch crazy.
A nice break away from the "After" franchise, this underrated gem is a breath of fresh, light air. So don't get your panties in a twist and just enjoy a light-hearted story with a splash of risqué.
A nice break away from the "After" franchise, this underrated gem is a breath of fresh, light air. So don't get your panties in a twist and just enjoy a light-hearted story with a splash of risqué.
Not bad
itsmearraa1 June 2023
To be honest, I liked this movie because I didn't read the novel. If I had enjoyed the novel first, maybe my review would have been different. Some of the novels I've read and if made into a movie, the average is a little different from the original story, but that's okay. I didn't like Gardner's acting in some scenes.
Some say here that Sprouse is not suitable to play Travis because he is not tall enough like the description in the novel, I think that makes sense. But for the rest he was perfect for it. I have a feeling I'll be waiting for the sequel of this movie and see them together again.
Some say here that Sprouse is not suitable to play Travis because he is not tall enough like the description in the novel, I think that makes sense. But for the rest he was perfect for it. I have a feeling I'll be waiting for the sequel of this movie and see them together again.
Never again
Akdjvidkso2 May 2023
I love Jaime's book Beautiful Disaster and read it multiple times. So, when I heard a movie was coming out I was very excited but it was a huge disappointment - there was barely 1% of scenes from the book. This movie did not follow the book at all. They were merging scenes, no characters development, just awful. Shepley and America played a huge role in Travis and Abby's relationship but they were barely ever in the movie.
I have so many negative emotions towards this movie that I am not sure what else to say.
It was not worth $7 on amazon prime. Please, if you love that book as much as I do - do yourself a favor a never watch it....just go back a read the book again.
I have so many negative emotions towards this movie that I am not sure what else to say.
It was not worth $7 on amazon prime. Please, if you love that book as much as I do - do yourself a favor a never watch it....just go back a read the book again.
Unappealing
gyhzgpy3 May 2023
Man, read both books can't believe what I just watched. Horrible doesn't even come close. To the cast from the scenes were just bad acting all the way around can't believe I rented this. I can't the author gave her ok to let this become a movie. I mean Shepley definitely looked like a teacher instead of student, one of the Maddox brothers definitely had an accent. What else.. oh the whole story like was trash even if you couldn't use the whole book atleast get some of the characters right ugh worst book to movie ever.. highly disappointing and I just hope they don't make a sequel. Not a fan.....
Cheap but fun enough
astarisoewondo4 May 2023
I know it's not gonna be good but I'm a fan of Dylan so I would still watch it. The story was cheesy but fun enough to watched the entire movie. So many plot holes in the story line and characters like lot of questions running through my head but tolerable, it should be developments on characters and moment, it might be good for romantic college series to build up these kind of things but for a movie like lots to but cut off so I get it. The chemistry of Travis and Abby was excellent on friendship part but the romance part not so much and yet still entertaining. Overall, still fun to watch. Sorry for the broken english.
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