Romantically Speaking (2015 TV Movie) User Reviews

Never happen

[Jackbv123 · 5/10 · 17 September 2020]

My title says "Never Happen". Yes I know all Rom/Coms are fantasies far distant from reality, so that isn't necessarily a fatal flaw. This movie was made in 2015. I have my doubts that a scandal like this could have survived even then, but in 2020 with trolls on social media numbering in the millions, if not a hundred times that, this scandal would be instant death. In this case I think this movie has strayed too far from reality. But that's not the biggest factor in my rating or even a big one.

One of my least favorite plot devices in a Rom/Com is what I sometimes call the hanging lie. And so many of these TV Movies use it. Sometimes the lie is to fool the opposite number in a romantic interest. Sometimes it is the parents. Sometimes it is to save a job. You know the lie is going to come out. And if it's a Hallmark type of movie, you know how things will end up, at least between the two leads. Still, the premise sets me on edge and I look for this genre to be more like comfort food or a guilty pleasure than edgy.

The secondary characters are cardboard. Bethany is pure cliché and if this were a midnight movie at the theatre (especially on a college campus) the audience would boo and hiss every time she appeared so you wouldn't be able to hear her speak. Likewise the assistant's assistant, or whatever he is. And Nathan's ex. I'm disappointed the Teri Polo is relegated to a role only a notch or two above Bethany. Admittedly, the movie is going for laughs and some of the cliché in these characters is supposed to be part of the humor. I'm not partial to the style though.

Jonathan Bennett did his job. He plays his role serious when needed and funny when that's what's needed. I wasn't as impressed with Heather Morris, but I don't think her character was given as much room. As to chemistry between the two, yeah I guess so but their characters were in crisis or conflict for most of the movie so it was hard to see.

I didn't like this movie, but I recognize that most of that was my own built in likes and dislikes. I still don't think it was great, but it wasn't hateworthy either.

rehash of A Convenient Groom

[sarajimi · 7/10 · 8 July 2019]

While not a direct re-make of a convenient groom, if you've seen that hallmark movie, you've seen this. I still liked this movie since it has its own elements but if you didn't like the earlier movie, you won't like this. hallmark makes so many movies that they can't all be completely original, but it almost feels like they weren't trying very hard. enjoyable but not special.

Love on the air

[TheLittleSongbird · 3/10 · 6 May 2023]

2015 did see some good and more Hallmark films, such as 'Surprised by Love', 'A Country Wedding' and 'All of My Heart'. It did also see some duds, like 'Merry Matrimony', 'Love by the Book' and 'Portrait of Love'. 'Romantically Speaking' has a premise that is not a novel one by any stretch of the imagination, have seen it a number of times with Hallmark since (although seeing those prior to this) with varied success, and it is one that can go on either way of harming and fun or unbearably cheesy and irritating.

'Romantically Speaking' unfortunately is in the latter extreme. As far as the 2015 Hallmark films go, it is one of the worst and does absolutely nothing new, or even really anything, with the premise. Is 'Romantically Speaking' Hallmark at its worst? No, not quite, as there are a few good things that are enough to make it a curiosity watch. Is it a good example of how bad Hallmark can be? Yes, with a lot of the flaws often found with Hallmark's films evident.

The best thing about 'Romantically Speaking' is Jonathan Bennett, who is great here and has a very likeable character that he plays with subtle charisma and easy going, down to earth charm while not making him too perfect.

Did think too that the production values were quite nice, the scenery does catch the eye in a good way.

Unfortunately, that is pretty much it. Heather Morris is just terrible, she is very uptight, exaggerates many of her expressions and mannerisms and also is very affected and obnoxious. Especially when she tries to act younger than she is. Her very underdeveloped character is truly insufferable to the point of it really unbalancing the film badly, her arrogance, snobbishness and lack of maturity grated very quickly (almost immediately) and never stopped, and the film misses the opportunity to show why and how she became to be that way. Really found it really difficult to see what Bennett's character saw in her and there is no romantic chemistry whatsoever between them, or really any discernible chemistry full stop, too distant and also too much of a mismatch personality wise.

Also never found the story engaging, the predictability didn't bother me so much as that is expected from Hallmark, but the very draggy pacing, that it is very thin and near uneventful too often and non stop suspension of disbelief (Morris's character appeal was completely lost on me which made everything that goes on hard to buy). Not to mention the lack of characters that are interesting or worth connecting, with the sole exception of Bennett's, the too implausibly neat ending and phoned in support acting (even Teri Polo) who seem at sea with what to do with the very little they have. The writing is consistently awkward and the cheese and schmaltz levels are really hard to take, the cheese has to be heard to be believed.

Overall, very weak film. 3/10.

Nothing Better To Do?

[tamaradell2 · 4/10 · 28 January 2018]

Same Hallmark formulate romance. Bennett is his same lovable and animated self but Morris can't act her way out of a wet paper bag. This is nothing special and not very entertaining. Script is saggy and the plot is thin.

Turn on the Radio

[consortpinguin · 8/10 · 30 November 2019]

I have to admit that I enjoy most Hallmark movies - light romantic comedies that are easy to watch. No matter what obstacles come up, you know that in the end the leading man and leading lady will end up together. This is a very pleasant movie and I enjoyed seeing Heather Morris again after being a Glee fan.

Loved this movie.

[lydiajp · 8/10 · 17 January 2019]

When watching a Hallmark movie you have to except a few imperfections that may occur in most of their movies. So that way you can thoroughly enjoy yourself. (Good advice for life, by the way.) I was not even going to watch this movie, I don't feel like explaining why. This movie has True love (emotion) and a connection between the main characters and a life lesson in the story. You don't have to have award-winning actors when you have good writing but these actors must've done good for me to like it as much as I did. I highly recommend this movie.

One I keep and view often

[dawoakes · 10/10 · 23 March 2019]

I enjoy this movie not matter how many times I view it. I just would like to get it on DVD Where? When I can't get to sleep at night, I put this on and before long I'm asleep. That doesn't mean it isn't a good movie because it is one of my very favorite.

nice

[vinkenthi · 30 January 2024]

Not good, not bad, exactly what you can expect from a film of genre. Jonathan Bennet and Teri Polo are the basic good points and the spicy chocolate cake sounds more than nice. Luke the rivalry between the two young ladies. But, sure, all pleasant,easy and nice. Enough for a reasonable show and for a charming, predictable end.

The sins - obvious a serious fist. But, în this case, it can be the basic virtue for a romance with precise target, decent acting, formal story. So, not exactly awful and the game perfect Jonathan - loyal Nate works just well. So, nothing surprising, impresive or memorable, only few good spices and a cup of humor.

good spicy chocolate cake

[Kirpianuscus · 30 January 2024]

For Jonathan Bennett and Teri Polo , for the spicy chocolate cake , for the predictable fair end and, not last, for moral lesson , humor and the image of father for his daughter, a rea- real nice film.

Because, it proposes the familiar story , in fair terms, defining the friendship, an accident and competition between two young ladies in simple - to simplistic - terms. And is it enough if you do not ignore the purpose of film or its precise target.

So, Hallmark - sweet at whole . And beautiful job of Jonathan Bennett , like fair sugestion about the relation between Henry and Britany , not ignored event by his wife. So, nice.