While a little predictable (and most chick flicks are), it is a nice, fun story with the happy ending that one expects. While Lisa Hartman Black is good in her role, I was very impressed with Dale Midkiff, the male lead. Handsome and sensitive, Midkiff breathes life into the single-dad character who lives in a small hometown where everybody knows everyone else's business. Rue McClannahan is fun as Lisa's mom, but her character doesn't get much exposure. The film also teaches a good lesson that people do change from their high school days, and sometimes there are pleasant surprises. Great viewing for a dreary Saturday afternoon when you need to walk away with a smile on your face!
9 Reviews
I wish Dale Midkiff made movies more often
nocoastangel20058 October 2006
WOW. I just saw this movie on the Hallmark Channel last night. After falling in love with Dale in the Stephen King Movie: Pet Cemetery from years ago,I had wondered what else he is capable of. Then came the Love comes Softly series. He is great. I am really excited that he has chosen to take on roles that have him showing him as a Christian. Lisa Hartman Black is an OK actress. Working with Dale makes anybody look good. It was a really touching movie about a second chance at love
We all may need that someday.Dale seems to be able to put so much emotion into the scripts he does. There is a part of me that hopes that he will not do any type of war or highly violent movies like most guys do these days. I love the great guy image he has and blesses his projects with.
We all may need that someday.Dale seems to be able to put so much emotion into the scripts he does. There is a part of me that hopes that he will not do any type of war or highly violent movies like most guys do these days. I love the great guy image he has and blesses his projects with.
Back to You and Me ***
edwagreen10 May 2008
Quite a good film is depicted here despite the fact that it's hard to believe that Rue MacLanahan's daughter did not realize that Rue was staying out and away from her terminally ill husband and father because he wanted it that way.
You know that the waitress who is chasing after Dale Midkiff will wind up with the attorney. They have so much in common. That's so obvious.
That being all said, the picture succeeds because it's a sentimental tale about home life, the saving of the life of a young boy and the renewed love of his widower father and woman doctor who comes back to the town to attend a high school reunion.
You know that the waitress who is chasing after Dale Midkiff will wind up with the attorney. They have so much in common. That's so obvious.
That being all said, the picture succeeds because it's a sentimental tale about home life, the saving of the life of a young boy and the renewed love of his widower father and woman doctor who comes back to the town to attend a high school reunion.
Lisa Hartman is suited to the role of a doctor coming back home.
TxMike3 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The main story revolves around a class reunion. They never say which one it is, but the best guess is 30 years since most of the actors are 50-ish or older.
Lisa Hartman is big city doctor Syd Ludwick and she surprises everyone by going home to the small town for the class reunion. There is baggage. Her old serious boyfriend Gus (Dale Midkiff) is now a widower with a young son, and Syd and her mother aren't really talking. We find out why, Syd thinks mom neglected dad during his last weeks of life. Rue McClanahan is good as the mom, Helen Ludwick.
Most will be able to guess during the first 30 minutes how all this will end up. The script and acting are not very subtle about it. But it is a pleasant story and the message is good.
SPOILERS: Gus's son has some medical problems that doctors say he just needs to grow out of. But Syd diagnoses a mass in his chest that needs to be taken care. That out of the way, Syd is a hero of sorts in the hometown, but she needs to get back to the big city and her practice. But right before she leaves she tells Gus that she probably would stay if he asked her. He does. One year later, she and Gus are married, the son calls her "mom", her mother helps Syd in her new practice. The town needed a doctor, after all.
Lisa Hartman is big city doctor Syd Ludwick and she surprises everyone by going home to the small town for the class reunion. There is baggage. Her old serious boyfriend Gus (Dale Midkiff) is now a widower with a young son, and Syd and her mother aren't really talking. We find out why, Syd thinks mom neglected dad during his last weeks of life. Rue McClanahan is good as the mom, Helen Ludwick.
Most will be able to guess during the first 30 minutes how all this will end up. The script and acting are not very subtle about it. But it is a pleasant story and the message is good.
SPOILERS: Gus's son has some medical problems that doctors say he just needs to grow out of. But Syd diagnoses a mass in his chest that needs to be taken care. That out of the way, Syd is a hero of sorts in the hometown, but she needs to get back to the big city and her practice. But right before she leaves she tells Gus that she probably would stay if he asked her. He does. One year later, she and Gus are married, the son calls her "mom", her mother helps Syd in her new practice. The town needed a doctor, after all.
Decent Hallmark romance
herrcarter-921611 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This Hallmark movie was from 2005, in the days before their romance movies became uber-formulaic. Not that this movie isn't quite predictable too, but somehow, it has a different feel than Hallmark's offerings of a decade and a half later. It wasn't a perfect movie, but it was reasonably enjoyable.
This wasn't a rom-com with sharp, witty banter between the two leads. But the characters in the movie and their interactions with each other were very real and genuine. These folks seemed like people you might actually run into in your real life. That's a far cry from modern-day Hallmark characters who often spout unrealistic, stilted Hallmark-speak. The main character, Dr. Syd, although she claimed to be reluctant to go back to her small hometown and reunion, seemed very comfortable reconnecting with her old classmates. Lisa Hartman and Dale Midkiff, as former high-school sweethearts Syd and Gus, didn't have sizzling chemistry exactly, but they had a nice, comfortable repartee with each other. They gave decent performances.
There were a few plot points that annoyed me. Syd's estrangement from her mother seemed kind of stupid. So, Syd was angry with her mom because she was out in the community continuing to live her life rather than spending every waking minute with Syd's dying father? And she never even had a conversation about that with her mom? There needed to be something much worse than this to cause such an estrangement. Something that truly required forgiving. The reconciliation scene between mother and daughter was fairly heartwarming, though.
The plot point about Dr. Syd diagnosing Gus's son Jake's life-threatening cancer was kind of a miss too. It really strains credulity that nobody besides her would've diagnosed that Jake had a tumor in his stomach. And her saying, after his tumor was removed, that everything was going to be fine? You can never guarantee that a cancer patient will be "fine". Even after being cancer-free for years, you can only say they are in remission, as cancer can return at any time.
As usual for Hallmark, the actors in this movie were about 10 years too old for the roles they were playing. Lisa Hartman was nearly 50 when this movie was made, and she was going to her 20'th reunion, not her 30'th? She's a beautiful woman, but she was clearly not in her late 30's. The most ridiculous example was Larry Manetti, playing her former classmate Nelson. He was 56 when this movie was made! Is it really so hard to find age-appropriate actors, or modify the script so that the characters are closer to the ages of the actors playing them?
Still, the movie left you with a good feeling at the end. Syd moves back to her small town, takes over the medical clinic and marries Gus (unbelievable, of course, but you knew it would happen). Gus's "wrong" girlfriend Connie hooks up with Nelson, the dweeby guy who formerly had a thing for Syd, and they are having a baby. And Gus's son Jake is hale, hearty and cancer-free. It's all wrapped up in way too neat of a package, but what else would you expect from Hallmark? Again, it wasn't a perfect movie, but at the end of the day, you did enjoy watching it.
This wasn't a rom-com with sharp, witty banter between the two leads. But the characters in the movie and their interactions with each other were very real and genuine. These folks seemed like people you might actually run into in your real life. That's a far cry from modern-day Hallmark characters who often spout unrealistic, stilted Hallmark-speak. The main character, Dr. Syd, although she claimed to be reluctant to go back to her small hometown and reunion, seemed very comfortable reconnecting with her old classmates. Lisa Hartman and Dale Midkiff, as former high-school sweethearts Syd and Gus, didn't have sizzling chemistry exactly, but they had a nice, comfortable repartee with each other. They gave decent performances.
There were a few plot points that annoyed me. Syd's estrangement from her mother seemed kind of stupid. So, Syd was angry with her mom because she was out in the community continuing to live her life rather than spending every waking minute with Syd's dying father? And she never even had a conversation about that with her mom? There needed to be something much worse than this to cause such an estrangement. Something that truly required forgiving. The reconciliation scene between mother and daughter was fairly heartwarming, though.
The plot point about Dr. Syd diagnosing Gus's son Jake's life-threatening cancer was kind of a miss too. It really strains credulity that nobody besides her would've diagnosed that Jake had a tumor in his stomach. And her saying, after his tumor was removed, that everything was going to be fine? You can never guarantee that a cancer patient will be "fine". Even after being cancer-free for years, you can only say they are in remission, as cancer can return at any time.
As usual for Hallmark, the actors in this movie were about 10 years too old for the roles they were playing. Lisa Hartman was nearly 50 when this movie was made, and she was going to her 20'th reunion, not her 30'th? She's a beautiful woman, but she was clearly not in her late 30's. The most ridiculous example was Larry Manetti, playing her former classmate Nelson. He was 56 when this movie was made! Is it really so hard to find age-appropriate actors, or modify the script so that the characters are closer to the ages of the actors playing them?
Still, the movie left you with a good feeling at the end. Syd moves back to her small town, takes over the medical clinic and marries Gus (unbelievable, of course, but you knew it would happen). Gus's "wrong" girlfriend Connie hooks up with Nelson, the dweeby guy who formerly had a thing for Syd, and they are having a baby. And Gus's son Jake is hale, hearty and cancer-free. It's all wrapped up in way too neat of a package, but what else would you expect from Hallmark? Again, it wasn't a perfect movie, but at the end of the day, you did enjoy watching it.
Great "feel-good" movie
MEEdmo4219 April 2006
I love seeing Dale Midkiff once more in a Hallmark movie....especially one that brings out a tender/strong character. He looks as good as he did in the first one I saw him in.....Love Comes Softly. And Lisa Hartman Black (wife of Clint Black) is as lovely as ever and so wonderfully slim. This movie is definitely a "chick flick" and so enjoyable to watch. If you like modern movies with a nice ending and beautiful cast, you will like this one. Larry Manetti from Magnum PI did a grand part as one of the high school classmates at the reunion. All now grown and some completely different from their high school days. Others still unchanged, except in looks. If you are a fan of Dale, and enjoy fairy tales (few people look this good at their high school reunions, I think), you will love this one. Just let yourself pretend you are one of them. :) Rue McClanahan is an added asset, of course, to any movie.
Most enjoyable film
junertcb19 April 2006
I really enjoyed the storyline..but, of course, it would be interesting to see if the old boyfriend still loved her if she had not looked like, Lisa Hartman, who....ANYONE..would want to reconnect with!. Seriously, I like Dale Midkiff because..(yes, he IS handsome)..but he knows how to be vulnerable in every role that he plays. You can't help but notice his charming good looks and then he keeps you interested in the story, simply because the man is a good actor. Is it me?...or does he possess an 'Elvis' quality that is pure magic... Whatever it is...Mr. Midkiff..you have convinced me. I am a big fan now. Keep on making those lovely, family-oriented films on Hallmark...stick with Michael Landon,Jr....who, himself,is following in his father's remarkable and capable footsteps. June Robertson...Memphis.
Now that Lisa Hartman made this come back, will there be more?
fusionjazz116 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
It was good to see Lisa Hartman play a role again and back on TV. Although this role as Syd Ludwig didn't challenge her enough, in my opinion. Not sure if it was the weak direction or story line that made every scene somewhat cut and dry rather than flow smoothly into the next scene. It seemed each scene was done, then commercial break, then the next scene, etc. She should make more movies again and get back in the game to master her craft. She's in great fantastic shape and beautiful as ever. She has great TV chemistry with Dale Midkaff (Dale is great in all his films). They're great together in this movie. How does she fit in those tiny jeans!!?? Hope another film is in the works. She's beautiful to watch and a great person at heart as same with Dale. After the promotion of her come back to TV, will there be more? Things have been silent since this film.
A "fuzzy-feeling" Hallmark TV movie.
michaelRokeefe12 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Sentimental me; I'm usually not that deeply impressed with most of the movies created for Hallmark TV; but BACK to You and ME hits a softer, sentimental spot. The predictable story line makes you wish for a moment to go back to a certain time that feels similar. Dr. Syd Ludwick(Lisa Hartman)is having a bad day after losing one of her terminal ill patients. She is advised to get away from work and a stagnant relationship for a while. Syd travels make to her tiny hometown for the first time since her father's funeral. Things are awkward between Syd and her estranged mother Helen(Rue McClanahan). The town is on a health kick that coincides with Syd's upcoming high school reunion. Most of her classmates of course have changed with age, but some people are a little envious that Syd seems to have not changed a bit...she is still a fox. There are old wounds to be mended and an old love connection rekindled, when the doc sees her old flame Gus(Dale Mitkiff), now a single dad. Hartman is still just adorable as ever; but doesn't really get to show off her acting skills in this project. And bless her heart; McClanahan, a bit heavier than in her meatier roles, still commands your attention. I've never really liked Mitkiff ever since his bad attempt at portraying Elvis Presley in a 1988 made-for-TV movie. Even in Stephen King's PET SEMATARY, he seemed sold on himself. In this heartwarming story he comes across very likable. This wholesome film can be enjoyed by the entire family. The cast also features: Barbara Niven, Joel McCrary, Romy Rosemont, Don Harvey and Larry Manetti.
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