There is actually a pretty cute love story here but it buried in the exaggerated search for spiritual liberation at a yoga retreat where the story takes place. Strangely, I didn't turn it off but having the ability to fast forward is a requirement to make it through to the cute ending. At least it was for me
19 Reviews
Great Sunday afternoon watch.
tocanepauli8 November 2020
Romance Retreat
judyharl2 February 2022
TOOK ME 5 HRS, BUT I FINISHED IT. ALL 1-1/2 HRS. OF IT
cbisbee-7399512 March 2021
I really did not know why someone had not yet kicked some sense into the lead character's head. She was so annoying the first 20 minutes and if I was paying attention to the early scene with a laptop in yoga class I would not have tortured myself watching it. if you like people talking in the quiet zone of the library then this is for you.
I really did take 5 hours to finish this movie. it isn't that bad, it just isn't that good either. I wrote emails after pausing the stream, shifted files, downloaded some games, played a game and fed the cat.
Namaste!
I really did take 5 hours to finish this movie. it isn't that bad, it just isn't that good either. I wrote emails after pausing the stream, shifted files, downloaded some games, played a game and fed the cat.
Namaste!
BORINGLY STUPID
toncincin25 January 2021
Wow. Amanda Schull needs to pick her roles better. I started watching - dozed off due to boredom - and woke up 20 minutes before the end. Boring boring boring. Bad acting by the "supporting" cast too.
The reporter angle left so much to explain. Who wrote the final article? Where did they get their information? When she wrote the rebuttal - who did she talk to to prove what she felt and wanted to prove? Just left me questioning the entire story.
I guess it was all Yoga... shaking my head ...
The reporter angle left so much to explain. Who wrote the final article? Where did they get their information? When she wrote the rebuttal - who did she talk to to prove what she felt and wanted to prove? Just left me questioning the entire story.
I guess it was all Yoga... shaking my head ...
Just for Yoga and scenery
Naman_Katyal16 January 2021
Ok. Its not a horrible movie but I wont suggest you to watch it like a must watch. If you have time before going to bed at night, you might as well watch this. It wont hurt your brain and you may end up smiling a bit and sleep well. Peaceful movie, kinda relaxing. The movie does not require any spoilers, what happens is literally in the name and output of the movie is also the name.
A clever romance well played.
rebekahrox29 January 2021
Funny script especially for what people are assuming is a Hallmark-type movie. It has nothing much in common with your typical Hallmark or Hallmark-clone templates other than that it is a romantic comedy. It has some wit and a lot to say about the Yoga and new-age culture which it fondly sends up along with the journalistic tabloid ethic that will sacrifice truth and fairness in favor of click-bait.
Dana, a workaholic journalist is going on vacation with her fed-up-with-her boyfriend. Because she is so cluelessly obsessed with her career and her phone, rather than paying attention to real life, she thinks she is going to an Indonesian Beach while she ends up in the wilds of Canada with no cell service or internet. Amanda Shull does a great job, exposing our heroines unattractive traits and mindset while still making her likable. We root for her (while we are rolling our eyes at early her behavior) as her character changes and grows.
In Canada, she finally gets dumped by the guy that brung her due to her attitude and neglect. She ends up becoming friendly with an incognito tech genius/millionaire that she is coincidentally doing an expose' on. Hilarity and a sweet romance ensues.
Stefan, the love interest is played by Morgan David Jones who is either Tom "Draco Malfoy" Felton's doppelganger, or his better-looking older brother. I would be favorable disposed in his behalf because of this resemblance anyway, but his performance does not disappoint.
This is not a Hallmark movie. In addition to the witty and funny script and the out-of -the-box subject matter, The director is the late Steve DiMarco. He was a respected if eccentric television director of a legit and large body of work and not in the Hallmark "stable." He passed away last month. RIP. Please note the 2 contributions of the bitter reviewer who came on here solely to bash him. It makes one wonder.
Dana, a workaholic journalist is going on vacation with her fed-up-with-her boyfriend. Because she is so cluelessly obsessed with her career and her phone, rather than paying attention to real life, she thinks she is going to an Indonesian Beach while she ends up in the wilds of Canada with no cell service or internet. Amanda Shull does a great job, exposing our heroines unattractive traits and mindset while still making her likable. We root for her (while we are rolling our eyes at early her behavior) as her character changes and grows.
In Canada, she finally gets dumped by the guy that brung her due to her attitude and neglect. She ends up becoming friendly with an incognito tech genius/millionaire that she is coincidentally doing an expose' on. Hilarity and a sweet romance ensues.
Stefan, the love interest is played by Morgan David Jones who is either Tom "Draco Malfoy" Felton's doppelganger, or his better-looking older brother. I would be favorable disposed in his behalf because of this resemblance anyway, but his performance does not disappoint.
This is not a Hallmark movie. In addition to the witty and funny script and the out-of -the-box subject matter, The director is the late Steve DiMarco. He was a respected if eccentric television director of a legit and large body of work and not in the Hallmark "stable." He passed away last month. RIP. Please note the 2 contributions of the bitter reviewer who came on here solely to bash him. It makes one wonder.
Hard to like the main character
paul-carlier15 September 2023
I found this a difficult film to watch and didn't get far into it. The plot was your standard romance fayre, predicable and inoffensive. The difficultly arose from the main character Diana Willingham, who came across as a deeply unpleasant and self centred person who treaded her boyfriend pretty badly. They go on a trip together which is supposed to be the launch pad to love and romance. The only problem is that I found myself hoping that the boyfriend either ran away or found a refuge for abused men. The underlying premise of the film was I'm sure meant to be interesting, but if you don't engage your audience in the first few minutes then you've lost them for good. This was a film with potential that was sadly not realised.
An accumulation of garbage
Jackbv12316 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I think this may be a parody of the yoga and health craze culture, but even so, I pretty much hated it. Ironically, I was doing my hour of cardio while watching it so I stuck with it.
The script is just an accumulation of junk that makes no sense. There was a sequence that was within seconds of a full 2 minutes of the group howling (at the moon?) and trying to get Dana to howl. There were frequent knocks on healthy diet. Dana spent long portions of the movie in intentionally ridiculous sweatshirts. The retreat is in Canada, but Dana brought clothes for the South Pacific so Stefan finds her some warmer clothes in Lost and Found. So she wears a sweatshirt to a literal yoga sweat session and isn't decent underneath so she's stuck with it - but had she no tank tops or t-shirts in what she packed? Then later she's ready to sweat in a tank top but the head yogi holds a special "cold" session in a room set at 34 degrees F.
Dana's boyfriend breaks up with her during the literal hike (with luggage) to the retreat center from the bus. So she has no place to stay. The retreat leader tells her there are no rooms and then charges her $200/night for a storage closet, even though she presumably already paid something for the retreat. She's told there is no transit out of there til the end of the week. Seems like that's the time for Dana to say "Either get me back to civilization or put me up for a reasonable charge or I'll make you miserable until you do." But no, this top notch investigative reporter just accepts it all.
These are examples of what kind of comedy this movie had.
Toward the end, Dana gets in arguments with her boss and Stefan about ethics. Dana tried to be self-righteous and principled, and her boss tried to be no-compromise, but they were both contradictory and at times both wrong. Dana was right and her boss wrong about one thing - you don't go back on your word to a source, at least you shouldn't. But then, she was probably wrong to make the promise. In today's world, though, there is no right or wrong in "journalism" because "journalism" no longer exists. It's all about money and political agenda. In other words, that latter part of the movie was gibberish and made no sense other than trying to set up the love story.
I hesitate to judge acting in a parody where so much is about exaggeration. Amanda Schull and Morgan David Jones had some chemistry, but it got lost in the stupid story.
The script is just an accumulation of junk that makes no sense. There was a sequence that was within seconds of a full 2 minutes of the group howling (at the moon?) and trying to get Dana to howl. There were frequent knocks on healthy diet. Dana spent long portions of the movie in intentionally ridiculous sweatshirts. The retreat is in Canada, but Dana brought clothes for the South Pacific so Stefan finds her some warmer clothes in Lost and Found. So she wears a sweatshirt to a literal yoga sweat session and isn't decent underneath so she's stuck with it - but had she no tank tops or t-shirts in what she packed? Then later she's ready to sweat in a tank top but the head yogi holds a special "cold" session in a room set at 34 degrees F.
Dana's boyfriend breaks up with her during the literal hike (with luggage) to the retreat center from the bus. So she has no place to stay. The retreat leader tells her there are no rooms and then charges her $200/night for a storage closet, even though she presumably already paid something for the retreat. She's told there is no transit out of there til the end of the week. Seems like that's the time for Dana to say "Either get me back to civilization or put me up for a reasonable charge or I'll make you miserable until you do." But no, this top notch investigative reporter just accepts it all.
These are examples of what kind of comedy this movie had.
Toward the end, Dana gets in arguments with her boss and Stefan about ethics. Dana tried to be self-righteous and principled, and her boss tried to be no-compromise, but they were both contradictory and at times both wrong. Dana was right and her boss wrong about one thing - you don't go back on your word to a source, at least you shouldn't. But then, she was probably wrong to make the promise. In today's world, though, there is no right or wrong in "journalism" because "journalism" no longer exists. It's all about money and political agenda. In other words, that latter part of the movie was gibberish and made no sense other than trying to set up the love story.
I hesitate to judge acting in a parody where so much is about exaggeration. Amanda Schull and Morgan David Jones had some chemistry, but it got lost in the stupid story.
Nor that good, but okay for a TV movie
Sergiodave9 November 2020
One of the worst directors strikes again
wowcorp21 September 2020
Poorly executed, with a director known for wearing diapers on set, actual diapers, we can see where the helmer of this travesty gets his " inspiration". Having worked with him, I can tell you he is always in over his head with no clue on how to work with actors. Why anyone hires this hack is beyond me, and I am sorry for the cast and crew of this film for having to put up with his childish antics. But for the direction this might have worked.
Quite a good movie!
keoniambrose30 December 2019
If you like watching paint dry
linda-plant212 January 2024
Then this is for you.. There are some excellent Hallmark films with established actors from the stable - this isn't one of them. If yoga isn't your "bag" don't watch it, because it's almost like a beginners guide at slow speed and on repeat, the original storyline forgotten after 15 minutes in. And clearly little was spent on the set location. The character of the lead had no manners, who taps away on a laptop during a yoga lesson ??? Whoever wrote this stuff obviously thought it was the norm, and funny, er, it wasn't. Amanda S is a good actress, but in this she did her best with a rubbish storyline and a script of yoga gobbledygook.
I thought this was adorable!
KehDBug16 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Amanda Schull is always a pleasant view, having successfully made the transition from Ballet career to acting. I wasn't familiar with the male lead, but he was up to the task. Even though you knew his identity at the outset, it did not diminish the enjoyment of a playful script. Who knew it would be so delightful to poke fun at yoga? The narration worked for me the best when it was Dana. When they briefly had Stefan providing VO, I was confused. It felt random and inconsistent. Overall, I laughed countless times and thoroughly enjoyed the romp. As a side note, I find it hilarious and very telling that the bad reviews on this site are riddled with spelling errors and inaccuracies--very hard to take seriously!
Light hearted look at skepticism
avnash12 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Whilst not reaching the depths of other movies, this movie's lack of depth is reflected in the storyline which is about a journalist who (one could say) lacks depth. This is contrasted with a yoga retreat - which supposedly is very deep 'spirituality' - also treated in a light hearted way. There is a respect for both viewpoints, the movie is sort of in the middle in a nice way.
The overall effect is entertaining but since this is a TV movie, one wouldn't expect to blown away but still is very good.
Hilarious movie
rhonnie-4313912 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know if they meant for this movie to be as funny as it turned out to be. I was chuckling throughout the entire movie.
So the lead actress is dating a guy who is a yoga enthusiast. She is totally stressed with work and can't even relax in a practice yoga class. She was on her laptop the whole class. So he dumps her the day they arrive at the retreat.
From there it just gets funnier. Loved the yoga scenes - they were so funny!! Watching the lead actress try the yoga poses had me in stitches!!
She didn't pack the right clothes and had to wear these lost and found sweatshirts with funny messages on them the entire movie. The other yogis on the retreat were just hilarious.
Overall I thought this movie was well-written and the cast did a great job. I liked the subplot about the tech investigation. I would watch it again.
And thanks to this movie, I'm back to practicing yoga. 😀
So the lead actress is dating a guy who is a yoga enthusiast. She is totally stressed with work and can't even relax in a practice yoga class. She was on her laptop the whole class. So he dumps her the day they arrive at the retreat.
From there it just gets funnier. Loved the yoga scenes - they were so funny!! Watching the lead actress try the yoga poses had me in stitches!!
She didn't pack the right clothes and had to wear these lost and found sweatshirts with funny messages on them the entire movie. The other yogis on the retreat were just hilarious.
Overall I thought this movie was well-written and the cast did a great job. I liked the subplot about the tech investigation. I would watch it again.
And thanks to this movie, I'm back to practicing yoga. 😀
Saw it twice.
krs-9220212 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
It was very good. I liked both of the leads. It is always a problem for me when I see Amy Schull, I automatically think of Jodie Sawyer. But I digress, I thought the movie's plot was well done. There were a few production issues that I had. She was stuck into a closet and charged a ridiculous amount for it. That felt like a code violation. Aside from that, it was a good movie.
Bridget Jones without the swearing
SunnyDaise6 June 2021
As zany as this Romance Retreat is, I also found it very relaxing - not necessarily for the yoga but because it's more like the small-cast lockdown movies I'm now used to. Despite the Bridget Jones style chaos, the lack of swearing also makes this movie less stressful than its Hollywood cousin. This in turn means the flick can be watched by kids - and the older generation is represented too, perfect for cross-generational households and therefore meets my usual criteria.
not so bad
Kirpianuscus15 October 2023
I am indifferent about yoga , I am out of subject about.tech domain .
But I like this film.
First, for the crumbs of old fashion romance, reflected, in some measure, by dialogue.
Second, for humor, the venerable couple having his role not small in that.
Not the last, for the charm of Stefan , nice proposed by. Morgan David Jones and for neurosis of Dana , not bad acted by Amanda Schull.
The bad things, obvious, a lot, the predictable recipe, like the fake end being the most remarkable.
But, sure, it is Hallmark.
And the film, saved by few drops of realism and, i repet, a tinny dose of humor - so, precious, Ian being includet , like the portrait of Charming prince of XXI century are just acceptable.
But I like this film.
First, for the crumbs of old fashion romance, reflected, in some measure, by dialogue.
Second, for humor, the venerable couple having his role not small in that.
Not the last, for the charm of Stefan , nice proposed by. Morgan David Jones and for neurosis of Dana , not bad acted by Amanda Schull.
The bad things, obvious, a lot, the predictable recipe, like the fake end being the most remarkable.
But, sure, it is Hallmark.
And the film, saved by few drops of realism and, i repet, a tinny dose of humor - so, precious, Ian being includet , like the portrait of Charming prince of XXI century are just acceptable.
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