In-Lawfully Yours (2016) User Reviews

Nice story, kept me interested.

[bobmillerinc · 7/10 · 22 October 2016]

I didn't know, when I started watching on Netflix, that this show was considered part of the 'faith & spirituality' category. I was pleasantly surprised. It's a great story about a relationship between a mismatched couple.

I was pleased by how the movie portrayed Jessie's growing faith without being preachy. She started out being humorously ignorant of anything in the Bible, or church. But there was a nice growth arc for her in that.

And it was great to watch a show that could portray conflict without swearing, shooting, or nudity.

Yeah for a good family film!

Favorite Rom-Com

[thegaelichummingbird · 7/10 · 29 November 2021]

I don't usually like romantic comedies. And *Christian* romantic comedies are usually super cheesy with terrible acting.

BUT this is one of my favorite movies! I love the main character Jessie-she's smart, funny, brave and yet normal. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and the film delightfully Christian without being overbearing (a rare trait in this genre.)

An underrated film in my opinion.

Funny for this kind of movie

[phd_travel · 7/10 · 31 December 2019]

Quite a lively romance with sharper than usual wit about a woman who divorces her cheating husband and but helps her ex mother in law pack up her house. She falls for her ex husbands dead sisters husband. And he's a pastor. Some funny jokes and some fall flat. The cheating ex is quite hilariously bad.

Explores interesting themes of Christianity

[philip-80954 · 7/10 · 27 September 2016]

Despite a narrative with occasional weaknesses, In-Lawfully Yours explores interesting themes of Christianity left untouched by both secular and religious filmmakers. Where some might see a hackneyed approach to the relationship of questions and faith, a theme that features prominently in the film, it struck me as more authentic because the questions were human questions instead of artistic questions. In other words, the film accurately reflected that most people's questions are not original. So while the dialogue had moments of brilliance, it also had moments that were authentically routine without devolving into cliché.

In all, the acting and writing were capable. The characters were good but not great, deserving more development and depth. Where others see a lack of chemistry I see an intentional exploration of the routine aspect of relationships. Where the film shines is in its willingness to explore things as they are, not as art wishes them to be. The pastor's strange refusal to ask God for personal things, for example, is appropriately un-profound, just as Naomi's grief is muted and opaque. This is not to say that the film abandons artistic considerations, but it also refuses to abandon certain aspects of the narrative just because they are mundane.

Unusual for the genre

[Jackbv123 · 5/10 · 30 September 2020]

My title refers to "the genre". Trouble is, I'm not sure whether this is primarily a Rom/Com or an inspirational movie (a la UpTV where I viewed it). Either way, this isn't typical. The premise isn't common and the way it develops is even more uncommon. Perhaps some general outcomes are predictable, but I thought there were some minor twists and turns along the way.

This movie combines irreverent humor, championed by the in-your-face leading lading, with thought provoking questions and an inspirational message. It also has a truly hate-worthy villain who makes me think of an incompetent J.R. Ewing. There are definitely funny moments including some based on physical comedy.

You may note my less than stellar rating, but I don't think that reflects the potential for it to appeal to the right people. I'm just not a fan of a number of devices used in this movie. It's my personal buttons. Right up there near the top is that leading lady, Jesse, whom I might find very appealing if she weren't so unintentionally bent on destroying Ben's life. (The elders in that church had a right to be concerned, especially when Chaz shows up with his claims, but the elders approached the situation completely wrong. Ben makes a good point when he accuses the church of chasing away the lost sheep.)

There is a faith based message. It may be a little too subtle or maybe not - at least one reviewer is offended by it. (There's no reason to be offended if you don't like the message because you can just ignore it, unless the message hits home.) To be truly a Christian message, there are some more elements of the gospel that need to be included.

Nonjudgmental of Justified Divorce, Judgmental of Religious Church Hacks

[live-and-let-live · 7/10 · 29 January 2022]

Refreshing to see a movie that deals with church politics that is nonjudgmental to nonchurched people, and those who have been abused and seek divorce being actually cared for.

Shows the difference between religious people and those who love God and others. Worthwhile and entertaining.

Actually loved seeing abusive churchgoers who make life miserable for their pastor being dealt with, all the while poking fun at their ridiculous behavior.

OK, but clichéd

[indie0385 · 2/10 · 11 September 2016]

This movie is like the color beige. Inoffensive, but nothing to get excited about. If you enjoy the kind of movies they show on "The Hallmark Channel," then you'll probably enjoy this. The best thing I can say about this film is that I didn't hate it. There were several things about this movie that were pretty bad. The dialogue seems as though it's trying to be funny, but the jokes just fall flat. Second, the two leads had zero chemistry together. They seemed more like brother and sister then potential love interests. Third, the over the top characters. The ex-husband is so bad it's almost funny (but not intentionally so). Lastly there is the stupidity of the main character. I find it hard to believe that even if she had never been to church before, the main character had never heard of a bible study group. I gave this movie 2 stars because while it isn't bad, I did manage to finish watching it.

This movie was so great. I laughed and cried. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did.

[tamaradhardy · 8/10 · 29 September 2016]

I'm so tired of Hallmark movies where I can guess the story plot within 15 minutes of the movie.

There are folks like me who are also tired of trashy and perverted movie material who just want to enjoy a good movie without nudity. This movie fits the bill.

It's a well written romantic movie without the boring Hallmark acting or cliche's; with good acting; with a good script.

I've already purchased it and I seldom do that.

I was not familiar with Chelsea Crisp with the lead role as Jesse but, she is a great actress.

Give it a try and you won't be disappointed.

A rom-com written for church goers about small minded people

[barneysbestbuddy · 6/10 · 3 September 2017]

As rom-coms go, it's a passable attempt, but it struck me that this is the first time I have seen an actively Christian, anti-Atheist propaganda piece masquerading as a rom com. I liked the lead actress, I can't place where I might have seen her. The lead men, are D-grade clones of Jason Segel (the pastor) and Channing Tatum (hubby). Both played pretty well by the actors, to be fair to them.

The premise is that a worldly wise, good-natured but somewhat cynical non-believer gets burnt by cheating Tatumclone, they break up but shortly thereafter her father in law dies. Not wanting to upset her loving but conservative mother-in-law she moves to the small town and supports Mother-in-law, there meeting her late sister-in-law's widower(Segelclone), the town god-botherer. The town hates her, under the mistaken believe she cheated on her hubby and is now doing so with the Pastor.

She is redeemed by developing an interest in scripture, stops asking intelligent questions and accepts that whatever the pastor tells her is right. She is then accepted and loved. By all.

It's not only anti-atheist, its also remarkably anti-feminist in an appalling way.

That said, my wife, who is both a feminist and an atheist, thought it was lovely and wasn't remotely enraged by it in the way I was.

Religious Tract Masquerading as a Romantic Comedy

[xscd · 4/10 · 10 December 2017]

As a disclaimer, I did not watch the entire movie. As soon as the ever-present Christian religious subtext became too strident, I stopped watching.

The movie is not horrible, and is cute in a way, admirably acted and adequately directed. And the basic aspects of the story are OK. But unless you are a Christian or can overlook the religious references, you may wish to look elsewhere for your entertainment and inspiration.

A real hoot.

[rebekahrox · 9/10 · 16 April 2020]

I absolutely loved this. It was funny, insightful, romantic, touching, and suspenseful. It had more than one good message. All of the scenes in church were hilarious. I think this may have been produced by a Christian company, but it was very clear-eyed when it came to why people question the existence of God and religious doctrine. The only thing I kinda hold against it was the mother letting her son get away with his shenanigans, although he did get his comeuppance in other ways. I'd watch this again!

Better than expected

[EmmaNelly · 7/10 · 3 July 2022]

I enjoyed the twist on romance on this one. There are some laughs and some things that are typical of small town life. A great movie if you want to find something light which keeps your attention.

Wife Hated This One

[buddybradley-22665 · 3/10 · 15 June 2020]

Many problems with the plot. She has a close relationship with her mother-in-law even though she's never been to her town; the woman who runs the coffee shop abuses her but she never questions it and keeps going back, the repeat behavior in church is baffling, well it goes on and on. Just too many plot holes to be liked.

Annoying Lead

[fabb4 · 4/10 · 19 November 2021]

Sorry...the lead actress was not provided with much more than snarky comments in her interactions with most of the other cast members. Very childish and unbelievable. It was especially jarring in comparison to Marylou Henner's character...who was so somber (as expected). The whole tone of the film felt off.

Infuriating

[debfullofjoy · 1/10 · 8 June 2020]

This movie should not be compared to a Hallmark movie...the Hallmark channel wouldn't have it. The female lead was obnoxious and very hard to watch. Anyone with any common sense would not say or do the things she did.

Perfect Romantic Comedy

[sashajohri · 10/10 · 2 October 2016]

This movie will definitely not disappoint you. Its a perfect romantic comedy to watch. Jesse catches her husband cheating on her but despite that moves to his home town to help her mum in law during a difficult time. Here she meets the local pastor and sparks fly.

Its witty and fun to watch. Not a single boring moment. You will laugh throughout the movie.

All the characters play their parts to perfection, including the evil husband and the annoying nosy do gooder.

Just grab some popcorn and a blanket to snuggle in. Its time well spent. Go for it and enjoy. Can definitely watch it over and over again

Garbage

[cudax · 2/10 · 16 November 2021]

If I had known it would become a religious philosophy harrang, I would not have even put it in my list!

As usual, in order to write a review it has to be a minimum of 150 characters long,so we can just ramble on saying nothing of any consequence, because I refuse to deal with religious fanatics that would inevitably object to anything that I have to say.

Decent entertaining movie

[taub · 8/10 · 29 March 2020]

I wasn't going to write a review, but wanted to respond to the reviewer who wrote that she stopped watching it, because it had a Christian element. That really annoys me. How would people react if reviewers said they stopped watching a movie when they found out a character was gay? Or an inter racial relationship occurred?

And this isn't the view of an evangelist. I'm a perfectly happy Jewish person. And I can watch a movie about gays, Hindus, Moslems, etc.. and enjoy it, and admire the good people in the movie, and dislike the bad people in the movie.

So this is a perfectly good movie unless you're a Christian hater.

Delightful little love story.

[wingthwong · 10/10 · 19 February 2019]

For those two that gave it bad reviews, because OMG, " It was about Christianity or religion". Do you not watch a movie because it shows other religions, other ethnicities, because it has profuse amounts of bad language, sex, or blood and gore, or evil satanic horror? You know what a movie is going to be about. You don't go and watch it. I won't watch a movie like American Pie because of the perversness, and on the same token, I don't go and rate it. Why would I waste time rating a movie I won't watch. If you watched this and said, "OMG, the religious overtones are so offensive that they are burning my eyes", well maybe, don't go religion bashing about the movie here. It just shows your stupidity, fear, and intolerance for other people. Nobody is bashing you becaise of who you are. With that said, this is a delightful movie, that while not habong the production money of a blockbuster, delves in relationships, broken relationships, healing from the broken relationship, and moving forward. It really isn't a "Christian" movie as no "Church" would allow a single preacher to be involved with a woman married to another man or a divorced woman. Yes, it involves a preacher and a "Church", but it isn't remotely about Christianity. It is about a woman married to an unfaithful man that falls in love with his single brother after she moves to his hometown, loves with her mother in law, is hated by the locals, but eventually wins them over after it is revealed that the town's beloved son and cheating husband was a cheating husband. It shows that life does exist after a bad relationship and divorce. If you watch this and get caught up in the very benign overtones, then there is something wrong with you. Fear, hate, whatever. Just watch this for what it is meant to be, a sweet and simple movie you comfort watch. Ten stars because of the delightful acting, the delightful story, and the message of love can win.

Lovely Movie

[zphemack-09687 · 8/10 · 26 March 2022]

The acting is top notch, especially the lead. Chelsey holds this ensemble together. Hopeful story. Lovely movie. In this day & age where dystopian life is romanticized, a movie is made showing how love & family works.

In-Lawfully Yours Fresh, Fun, Engaging

[dandomz-58505 · 10/10 · 11 September 2016]

In-Lawfully Yours is a fresh, fun and engaging film.

As romantic-comedies go, it sparkles. Mainly due to the palpable chemistry between Chelsey Crisp and Joe Williamson in the lead roles.

Crisp plays the part of a New Yorker who is jilted by her husband and winds up going back to her former husband's home town to help her ex mother-in-law (played to perfection by Marilu Henner).

Williamson, meanwhile is a pastor in the small town where Crisp's former mother-in-law lives.

I've seen a lot of romantic comedies, but seldom with the energy that Crisp and Williamson generate together.

They are warm and real, and genuinely funny together.

That's why I've given In-Lawfully Yours ten stars.

Off-beat comedy drama.

[SunnyDaise · 9/10 · 26 October 2021]

I couldn't sleep so clicked play with no idea of the plot. It is sad and daft in equal measures and definitely not a cure for insomnia. Give it a try.

Adorable feel good movie!

[winterh3 · 8/10 · 8 January 2022]

Almost turned off in beginning but we gave it a a little more time... so glad we did as we enjoyed it so much! Smiles, laughed and yes it made me "feel good!" Chelsey was adorable and shined throughout as did Joe Williamson; fabulous chemistry too! Refreshing!

Good movie

[toncincin · 9/10 · 6 September 2020]

I've actually watched this movie twice on TV. It's a good, clean, wholesome story. Yes - there are some parts a tad bit far-fetched (interrupting a church service to ask questions - no one is rude/dumb enough to do that ... no matter how unreligious one is). BUT - it does provide some comic relief which makes the story even more enjoyable. All of tge actors dod a good job - they were believable in their roles. The underlying Christian tone of the movie was not preachy and played into the story well. All-in-all - good movie.

Entertaining

[nickfebree · 8/10 · 7 January 2022]

An easy watch, A lighthearted feel good story.

Likeable main characters. Marilu Henner has always been a favorite.

Entertaining. Suitable Hallmark channel movie.