Totally sappy, cheesy, silly, but sometimes you need a movie like that, right? This had me laughing at quite a few moments, because it really was sooo sappy. It's kitsch, but you should totally watch it on a night where you are entirely ambivalent to what you watch, and you think to yourself, why not? If my rating was based purely on the enjoyment I received from this movie, it would be much higher.
306 Reviews
Oh come on. It wasn't that bad.
shon_zz5 September 2019
Without comparing this film to every romcom ever made; and this coming from a homegrown kiwi, it was good in its own right. Love the use of the kiwi lingo and hows the film represents kiwi lifestyle in the "wopwops", as we like to say. It was relatable and culturally respectful, which made up for the not-so "bad acting" as everyone likes to point out.
Sweet love story
Amani30 August 2019
I have to wonder if the other reviewers have ever watched a romantic comedy. A health relationship takes months to curate not just a weekend. I enjoyed the lead character. The balance of male and female characters without one being dominated over the other.
Easy watching film but why have an Aussie as main actor when in NZ!
mattbacon1530 August 2019
Nice easy to watch film, I personally didn't think the acting was as bad as people are making out. It's a nice storyline and as someone who lives in NZ it's fun seeing all the little NZisms brought into the film. If you want something easy to watch then try this out. Just disappointed that they thought they could cast an Aussie as the main actor without getting criticism. At least cast him as an Aussie living in NZ Instead of making out he was a local.
classic rom com
rachelsj29 August 2019
Jake is Australian!!!!!!
brittz_01233 September 2019
Heartwarming
hayleyparkinson77 September 2019
I created an account so I could detail how horrible this movie is
caylagines30 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The whole premise does not make sense. Random chick gets a free inn because she clicked on a scam email??? The people in town spend thousands of dollars helping a stranger rebuild an inn just because????? Nothing in this movie makes any sense. The characters are not interesting, the acting is god awful and there's no plot development at all. Don't get me wrong, I love cheesy rom coms but this was just lazy. Half way through the movie, I began wanting the characters to start bird boxing themselves.
Great film
ddewijk30 August 2019
Like a really bad Hallmark movie
hellofaye29 August 2019
Don't get me wrong, I love a good rom com but this really was bad. Such an amazing filming location and we didn't even get to see much of New Zealand. No chemistry between the actors, the acting was diabolical. I gave it two stars, one for beautiful New Zealand and one for the goat (who I think was the best actor of all). Surprised Netflix endorsed this. It's bad - avoid.
A place where everyone knows your name...
delores967345 September 2019
Come on you guys with the low ratings -- don't be so critical and snobbish. Enjoy the sweet love story and beautiful scenery of New Zealand. The village and the residents were charming. Makes you want to live there. So what if it was somewhat predictable. The lead couple was attractive and made you root for them. The story was simple, entertaining, and satisfying, with a happy ending. As for the film overall, I found it refreshing because there was no swearing and vulgarity.
An Aussi!!!!
glow_wormnz19 September 2019
Why not just say that the lead male was an Aussi?
I can understand the American not knowing the difference between kiwi sayings and Aussi ones but it doesn't make sense that the kiwis don't.
Maybe the kiwi actors didn't want to rock the boat but I feel like someone should have said "we wouldn't do/say that"
I can understand the American not knowing the difference between kiwi sayings and Aussi ones but it doesn't make sense that the kiwis don't.
Maybe the kiwi actors didn't want to rock the boat but I feel like someone should have said "we wouldn't do/say that"
No chemistry whatsoever
c_kulker-800-76772513 December 2019
I love romcoms but there was absolutely zero chemistry between the actors. Even the last kiss, it was just awkward! Why do you win an inn by just clicking an email and writing an essay. Best acting by Charlotte and the goat. Plus: the scenery of NZ.
Typical romantic movie
nicorip2217 February 2021
We never found out what the "Tragedy at Bellbird" was...?
coco_sphere1 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
In one scene, the old lady told Gabriela that there had been a tragedy at the Bellbird Inn, but would not elaborate further and said "we won't speak of such things." We never found out what it was. I'm not sure why it was mentioned if they weren't going to enlarge upon it.
Horrible
harshada_shewale23 September 2019
Problems:
I love romcoms but this one sucks.
- same old story, which I love but so badly executed!
- The lead actress is annoying and over-acts.
- The scenes don't even flow together.
I love romcoms but this one sucks.
IF they want you to HATE the main character, they did a good job
reedje77728 December 2019
The movie is lazy swill. I will purposely watch a formulaic rom com sometimes just for easy, predictable, watching. There is something comforting about knowing where the movie is going... This movie however is so terribly written with lazy scenarios, an annoying main character, and secondary people who fawn all over her just because she's an American? I found myself hoping the romantic interest would wise up to just how terrible she was.
A likeable, easy watch.
sean-6619221 September 2019
Wow, this film really seems to polarize people.
Everyone seems to have become hyper-critical about everything these days, if a film isn't the best film someone has seen they seem to rate it super low and trash it.
For me this was an enjoyable rom-com, sure it won't win an Oscar, but why would you want it to.
A funny-heartwarming tale of a fish out of water romance which hits most of the right notes for me when watching a light-hearted romantic comedy.
Beautiful scenery and a positive and cheerful message with many enjoyable characters, including the goat.
My wife and I enjoyed it's feel good message and came away from it feeling happier for having watched it.
Also a great look at New Zealand and it's culture, especially as found in the more rural areas of NZ. As someone who moved to NZ from abroad, I can say that the people are nice like that.
I think a lot of reviewers thought that such a friendly community was unbelievable, I feel sad for them if they are so jaded.
For me this was an enjoyable rom-com, sure it won't win an Oscar, but why would you want it to.
A funny-heartwarming tale of a fish out of water romance which hits most of the right notes for me when watching a light-hearted romantic comedy.
Beautiful scenery and a positive and cheerful message with many enjoyable characters, including the goat.
My wife and I enjoyed it's feel good message and came away from it feeling happier for having watched it.
Also a great look at New Zealand and it's culture, especially as found in the more rural areas of NZ. As someone who moved to NZ from abroad, I can say that the people are nice like that.
I think a lot of reviewers thought that such a friendly community was unbelievable, I feel sad for them if they are so jaded.
Cringe fest
stnz-0025130 August 2019
Had to join just so I could review this and attempt to save people precious minutes of their lives.
Really surprised Netflix even funded this. Probably up there with some of the worst amateur acting I've witnessed. The lead actor attempts at acting are truly cringe worthy and probably as another reviewer quite rightly pointed out the Goat was the best actor.
Don't even waste your time, cringy, shocking, predictable, bad script and awful actors (apart from the goat).
Give it a wide berth!
Cute, feel-good romantic comedy
amandamonson7 September 2019
I loved this movie. I'm a little surprised at all the people who watched it and are leaving such negative reviews. What kind of movie did you think you were watching? No, it's not suspenseful or an Oscar winning film, but that's exactly what you want sometimes. It's fun to watch and makes you feel hopeful. I wish there were more movies like this. If you like Hallmark Christmas movies you will love this movie too. I know they're cheesy when I'm coming into them, but I enjoy them and they make me feel good. This one was cute and I liked the charming setting of New Zealand. Enjoy it and don't be so jaded!
Relaxing rom com
whitedog-37-2823925 September 2019
Easy to watch rom com suitable for the family . Christina Milian & Adam Demos performed really well together with a relatable onscreen performance mixed with predictable humour and romantic dialogue. Mix in a beautiful little town with stunning scenery and a funny goat makes it easy watching for the whole family . Few little cute life lessons thrown in and bang ! Great film .
Exactly what you think it is
dmasursky6 October 2019
This is as formulaic as it comes. I would be much more forgiving if the leads had an iota of chemistry. Watching them kiss was truly painful. If you want to see almost the exact same movie with leads who actually seem to like each other, watch Something New (2006) with Sanaa Lathan and Simon Baker. On the plus side, the scenery was genuinely lovely.
A bit misleading
amazingpips31 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I must admit I was a bit scared when she out of the blue won the competition. I couldn't help wondering whether it was a family foe who tricked her into coming. Probably someone who was out for revenge! I suspect the inkeeper
Not great, but...
guidegoldblatt30 August 2019
There are tons of cliches in this movie, but it is an enjoyable enough movie. I thought the characters were likable and I thought there was chemistry between the two leads. If you go in without too high expectations, I think you will enjoy this movie. In no way is it a great movie, but not a bad way to spend 90 minutes or so.
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