I enjoyed the lighthearted feel of this movie. It was very fun and atypical for a Hallmark Movie.
20 Reviews
The Losers in Us All
nammage16 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Totally formulaic. Grabs from other films but there's really not too much new things in romantic comedies; if you laugh at least once in the first ten minutes then there's hope for the rest. That's how I look at things, sometimes even for dramas (not always). Going by the title of the film I would have liked the film to have been more on varying couples having bad dates rather than just the one couple. That way they could have played with the comedic element a bit. Instead, it's just the one couple. And more and more it takes you to past films in the comedic romance genre, and more and more to one film in particular: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Why watch this one when you can just watch that one?
They do add side stories, of course. Why wouldn't they? One with the friend of the main female character with some guy she chats with with online, and of the bosses of the two main characters. All formulaic.
What's the story? Leigh (Merritt Patterson, "The Royals", "Ravenswood") runs the website 'Bad Date Chronicles' and her boss Allison (Gina Holden, "Blood Ties", Harper's Island") at the magazine/paper she works at finds out she's going out on a date with Conner (Justin Kelly, "The Latest Buzz", "Between") who works for Milo (Matt Bellefleur, "The Romeo Section") and they used to be partners romantically and otherwise. After a horrible date, which Leigh posts about on her website, and then Conner rebuts it saying it wasn't all his fault, their bosses make them go on three more dates because the website got a lot of traffic and that's always good for business. The thing is: their bosses come together with a bet that their respective one will win but then they come together again and try to get them to do the opposite but not really.
Then you have Erin (Lanie McAuley, "Lost After Dark") who, as I mentioned above, chatting it up with a mystery man who is obviously Brad (Giles Panton, "Nexo Knights", "Max Steel") because he's the only other main character left. Not too many of them. Easy to figure out. That's the whole film. And that's what's ultimately wrong with it.
On the surface it just seems like a normal romantic comedy but you've seen the film before in others that had already done it before and were way better at it. You figure the paint-by-numbers plot within the first 10-15 minutes of the film and really you're only really watching the rest to see if it gets you to laugh again (it didn't for me), to get you to smile at the adorable cuteness of it all (it didn't for me) and just becomes a film that wrapped up in the first 15 minutes. The rest became inconsequential. Oh well.
They do add side stories, of course. Why wouldn't they? One with the friend of the main female character with some guy she chats with with online, and of the bosses of the two main characters. All formulaic.
What's the story? Leigh (Merritt Patterson, "The Royals", "Ravenswood") runs the website 'Bad Date Chronicles' and her boss Allison (Gina Holden, "Blood Ties", Harper's Island") at the magazine/paper she works at finds out she's going out on a date with Conner (Justin Kelly, "The Latest Buzz", "Between") who works for Milo (Matt Bellefleur, "The Romeo Section") and they used to be partners romantically and otherwise. After a horrible date, which Leigh posts about on her website, and then Conner rebuts it saying it wasn't all his fault, their bosses make them go on three more dates because the website got a lot of traffic and that's always good for business. The thing is: their bosses come together with a bet that their respective one will win but then they come together again and try to get them to do the opposite but not really.
Then you have Erin (Lanie McAuley, "Lost After Dark") who, as I mentioned above, chatting it up with a mystery man who is obviously Brad (Giles Panton, "Nexo Knights", "Max Steel") because he's the only other main character left. Not too many of them. Easy to figure out. That's the whole film. And that's what's ultimately wrong with it.
On the surface it just seems like a normal romantic comedy but you've seen the film before in others that had already done it before and were way better at it. You figure the paint-by-numbers plot within the first 10-15 minutes of the film and really you're only really watching the rest to see if it gets you to laugh again (it didn't for me), to get you to smile at the adorable cuteness of it all (it didn't for me) and just becomes a film that wrapped up in the first 15 minutes. The rest became inconsequential. Oh well.
Watchable typical Hallmark flick
Simply-Red17 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This is a juvenile "chick flick" typical of a gazillion Hallmark movies. Somewhat corny and as with all others has that "plunky plunk" background music...I dont dont know how to describe it, except string instruments being plucked. I only say this because it seems that is a requirement to be a Hallmark flick!
The descriptions of the movie do not tell you that there is a corporate driven interest in the two characters dating. AND there is another female character in this movie that the story focuses as much on as the primary character.
Otherwise the movie is harmless and tolerable for guys who need to sit through a chick flick with their lady like I did with this one on Valentines day. I survived!
The video quality is really good in this movie. The scenes and scenery are good HD quality.
We saw one editing whoops...at 37 minutes remaining in the movie, the dude is walking with an ice cream cone. It's full, then the next camera switch the ice cream looks all eaten off the cone, then the next camera switch the ice cream is back on the cone!
The descriptions of the movie do not tell you that there is a corporate driven interest in the two characters dating. AND there is another female character in this movie that the story focuses as much on as the primary character.
Otherwise the movie is harmless and tolerable for guys who need to sit through a chick flick with their lady like I did with this one on Valentines day. I survived!
The video quality is really good in this movie. The scenes and scenery are good HD quality.
We saw one editing whoops...at 37 minutes remaining in the movie, the dude is walking with an ice cream cone. It's full, then the next camera switch the ice cream looks all eaten off the cone, then the next camera switch the ice cream is back on the cone!
Hallmark must be getting desperate.
Carycomic12 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know what video archive they had to dig this up out of. But, they must have hired an Emma Fielding impersonator to do it. Because, first of all, I had never even heard of this movie till the blurb following the latest Gourmet Detective rerun. So, it must have been buried, really deep. And, now I know why.
I struggled to watch this movie for the first ten minutes. But, between the technical difficulties and the just plain bad acting, ten minutes was definitely nine minutes too long!
I'm especially disappointed with Merritt Patterson. She wasted her talents with this non-Xmas turkey! As for Justin Kelly? Never heard of him, at all. And, after seeing him in action, I hope nobody else ever hears of him, again. The guy's like Jim Carrey. . .with none of the versatility.
Do us all a favor, Hallmark. Don't re-bury this film. Cremate it!
I struggled to watch this movie for the first ten minutes. But, between the technical difficulties and the just plain bad acting, ten minutes was definitely nine minutes too long!
I'm especially disappointed with Merritt Patterson. She wasted her talents with this non-Xmas turkey! As for Justin Kelly? Never heard of him, at all. And, after seeing him in action, I hope nobody else ever hears of him, again. The guy's like Jim Carrey. . .with none of the versatility.
Do us all a favor, Hallmark. Don't re-bury this film. Cremate it!
Slow moving
tylsix2 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This was a hard to watch movie. Too much deceit going on and ended with the no remorse shown by the perpetrators . This is the worst Hallmark movie I have ever watched. Please let this be the last bad movie for Hallmark. I know you can do better.
Let's be honest...
cleancupboards19 May 2021
The majority of us watch these movies because they have happy endings, in this movie is no different in that respect. But it's pretty funny parts parts and I like that there were actually three different love stories going on. One of my favorite Hallmark movies ever.
If Only it Were Possible to Rate 0
penandra12 January 2021
By far the worst movie to come out of Hallmark. I look at the cast and I cannot imagine that all of them made such poor decisions with this film. The script must have read far differently than the final result. I do not understand how anyone is finding humor in these childish hijinks and bullying. Such a sad use of otherwise talented actors, most of whom have had the opportunity to redeem themselves in later films. Just a suggestion to those involved: Don't put this one on your CV.
Surprise
Jackbv1237 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I usually don't like this type of humor. I'm not sure what you call it. Juvenile, maybe. Was it a parody of social media mob rule and internet blog organizations? Whatever, it was not the normal Hallmark romance.
Much of the acting was exaggerated and unnatural. That's how the movie makers wanted it and surprisingly it worked.
We have a pure and innocent young woman with a horrible break-up in her past. Merritt Patterson was perfect for this part. (I have to admit that this actress fascinates me and it's entirely possible my take on this movie is greatly influenced by that .) We have the guy version of the same thing. We have two friends trying to support this innocent couple We have two evil bosses who have the goal in life to defeat the other. They have no scruples and are willing to do anything to win and to make money. To a point. A combination of extremely bad luck on the first date followed by the bosses manipulating them in childish ways brings us to the climax.
Combine this with three different threads of the story. Three completely different couples. Three stories. And they are being woven together.
The last two scenes, say the climax and the epilogue, are lame and at least the climax makes no sense. But they fit the rest of the movie.
You could say that the story told by the movie is like the movie itself. In the story, ridiculous disastrous circumstances bring true love together. In the movie, a juvenile and exaggerated story and acting deliver a sweet product.
I liked it. I can see why many people did not. For me the test of a rating is how badly I want to watch it again. I can't say that right now for sure, but I'm guessing I will.
Much of the acting was exaggerated and unnatural. That's how the movie makers wanted it and surprisingly it worked.
We have a pure and innocent young woman with a horrible break-up in her past. Merritt Patterson was perfect for this part. (I have to admit that this actress fascinates me and it's entirely possible my take on this movie is greatly influenced by that .) We have the guy version of the same thing. We have two friends trying to support this innocent couple We have two evil bosses who have the goal in life to defeat the other. They have no scruples and are willing to do anything to win and to make money. To a point. A combination of extremely bad luck on the first date followed by the bosses manipulating them in childish ways brings us to the climax.
Combine this with three different threads of the story. Three completely different couples. Three stories. And they are being woven together.
The last two scenes, say the climax and the epilogue, are lame and at least the climax makes no sense. But they fit the rest of the movie.
You could say that the story told by the movie is like the movie itself. In the story, ridiculous disastrous circumstances bring true love together. In the movie, a juvenile and exaggerated story and acting deliver a sweet product.
I liked it. I can see why many people did not. For me the test of a rating is how badly I want to watch it again. I can't say that right now for sure, but I'm guessing I will.
Bad date indeed
TheLittleSongbird3 March 2022
My main reason for seeing 'Bad Date Chronicles' was the intriguing premise, which sounded like the kind of film that would be enjoyable to me. Also saw it because of it being from Hallmark, and have been seeing their work for a while over-time for completest sake. While they have done a fair share of misfires, they have also had a fair share of surprisingly good films. And 'Bad Date Chronicles' did sound like it had potential to be if done right.
Sadly it wasn't done right. Quite the opposite and actually pretty much disastrously. Really wanted to like it, but almost everything is executed badly and at their worst the execution is really quite terrible. Am somebody who is actually usually very encouraging when watching, rating and reviewing films and television and hates being critical, under 3/10 are rare ratings, but 'Bad Date Chronicles' did really annoy for being a complete waste of potential (the worst thing any film etc. Can committ in my mind).
Did think that Merritt Patterson didn't come off too badly in her role, she had energy without being affected.
However, even for a film that was intended to have exaggerated acting, the rest of the acting is so overdone it induces cringing and it was like watching a really bad spoof. None of the characters are interesting or worth rooting for, and there is no development to them whatsoever. The script is also extremely weak, with an over-reliance on cheap juvenile humour that often wasn't necessary.
The story is very dull, even when trying to pack in too many subplots that are done little with. There is no heart or charm and it all felt really forced. Not to mention very predictable, with so many seen it all before elements done in a paint by numbers way. The mystery element is very obvious very early on, while the beginning alone is enough to make one want to change the channel. Then there is the ending, which was indicative of the film completely running out of steam and tacking on a too unrealistically convenient climax and final scene.
In summary, very poor. 2/10.
Sadly it wasn't done right. Quite the opposite and actually pretty much disastrously. Really wanted to like it, but almost everything is executed badly and at their worst the execution is really quite terrible. Am somebody who is actually usually very encouraging when watching, rating and reviewing films and television and hates being critical, under 3/10 are rare ratings, but 'Bad Date Chronicles' did really annoy for being a complete waste of potential (the worst thing any film etc. Can committ in my mind).
Did think that Merritt Patterson didn't come off too badly in her role, she had energy without being affected.
However, even for a film that was intended to have exaggerated acting, the rest of the acting is so overdone it induces cringing and it was like watching a really bad spoof. None of the characters are interesting or worth rooting for, and there is no development to them whatsoever. The script is also extremely weak, with an over-reliance on cheap juvenile humour that often wasn't necessary.
The story is very dull, even when trying to pack in too many subplots that are done little with. There is no heart or charm and it all felt really forced. Not to mention very predictable, with so many seen it all before elements done in a paint by numbers way. The mystery element is very obvious very early on, while the beginning alone is enough to make one want to change the channel. Then there is the ending, which was indicative of the film completely running out of steam and tacking on a too unrealistically convenient climax and final scene.
In summary, very poor. 2/10.
recipie or recipe
pepperlilly1 March 2020
Enjoyed for 30 Minutes
vintagegeek5 March 2020
Very enjoyable with much more humor than usual for Hallmark. But, then the bosses tank the movie with a bunch of sabotaging juvenile pranks better suited for the 5th grade. Hallmark went too far with this one. Cute group too. Too bad.
Bad Movie Chronicle
bmiller593 March 2020
...and we watched the entire movie. Where do I start? Terrible acting, terrible plot, not even entertaining. I can't remember all the bad. criticism I thought of while watching this. It wasn't even filmed in Portland, though the background scenery was very nice. The mustache on the lead actor was pathetic. The lead actress was good. I don't know when I have rated a movie so poorly, but we endured the entire movie. I usually look at the rating while watching a Hallmark movie, but I knew from the beginning this was not going to go well so I waited till the end, rated it and THEN looked at overall rating. I wasn't disappointed.
Pleasant Surprise
chefeduardo16 June 2020
I've only been watching Hallmark movies for the past 2 years so I missed this on initial release. But thankfully, if you wait long enough Hallmark will air almost anything you might have missed, or watch again.
Look, this isn't an all out original plot, but with Hallmark, it's always about the casting. Merritt Patterson is now a Hallmark regular, and she is climbing my list of favorite actors to watch. The rest of the cast is really enjoyable as well. "Brad" can be kind of annoying at times, but I think it all works out in the end.
I will be keeping this one on the DVR for a while to watch again later.
awful
linda-plant216 January 2020
2 hours you'll never get back again. Glad I recorded so I could skip through after the first dire 20 minutes. And why did the male lead wear more lipstick than his female counterpart ???
No wonder it was aired in the middle of the night.
Believe it or not This could happen.
robert-e-handley11 March 2020
I enjoyed this movie. It was cute, showed how awkward dating can be. And the fact that they were being sabotaged made their lives harder, and funny at the same time. I think some of the reviews were cruel, maybe they were thinking back to some of the things they did. And the fact that it was not really filmed in Portland, most movies are not filmed in the locations they say it takes place. Weather, budget, and other expenses are the reason. Hallmark movies use a old MGM formula, actors are a group family. They can use them over and over in many different movies and parts. They are actually very good at adapting. Corney maybe, but enjoyable none the least.
Pleasant Simplicity
bootoir17 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
In a fast paced life, daily tragedy and getting wrapped up in drama, this movie brings one back to the simple meaning of life. A simple love story with added humor is exactly the kind of feel good movie one needs to unwind and step away. Set in the typical online dating world, 2 online blog editors go on a date that is anything from normal. Demands for page views and bad date set-ups makes you question on what is real and not real in today's dating world. The movie explains all of this in simple terms, brings you back to what truly is important - enjoying the simple things in life. While there is no deep character development, a small shortfall in side story development and at one point it was a tad long-winded; overall this is a great distraction from your life. The actors were sincere in their performances and to me it truly came across how much they enjoyed making this movie.
Fun Movie - ignore bad reviews
shobbs-8608113 January 2021
The baaaaddd reviews made us wary, but we love the actors and the premise sounded like kooky fun, so we watched it (and it WAS fun!) Not a Hallmark formula film and a lot of laughs and cute situations which ended with an unusual (but happy) denouement. Don't listen to stuffed shirts who aren't ready for a cute movie...
nice
Kirpianuscus1 January 2020
A nice romance. For the old recipe, for the reasonable performances, for the quite lead actors, for humor and unrealism. Few crumbs of classics saves it and the webb of relations are real working. Not the familiar Hallmark, by not far by it. So, just nice. Justin Kelly gives a nice job more for the contrast of his so young aspect and the small bear and Merrit Petterson is an acceptable Leigh. The conection with Hallmark universe - the secondary characters are the best.
Happy ending
arsenalfcclubwearegunners4 January 2024
Well the movie is nice and at the nice end .
Movie is full of exciting experiences and twists and turns, and also many people in real life have horrifying experience of dating and how can a date can be worse that a person can be on fire , the worst one .
Both people were on there spot were right but one bad date is not the end you can restart it very quickly and nicely.
Well now talk about the movie it's amazing and I like the Justin Kelly and Merritt Patterson and others etc . Brilliant movie but underrated at the same time . Moreover, I recommend people to watch it and amazing 😍 I hope that helps other.
Movie is full of exciting experiences and twists and turns, and also many people in real life have horrifying experience of dating and how can a date can be worse that a person can be on fire , the worst one .
Both people were on there spot were right but one bad date is not the end you can restart it very quickly and nicely.
Well now talk about the movie it's amazing and I like the Justin Kelly and Merritt Patterson and others etc . Brilliant movie but underrated at the same time . Moreover, I recommend people to watch it and amazing 😍 I hope that helps other.
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