My main problem with this one was why any home renovation show or interior designer with any taste would want to change this carpenter's cute authentic and cozy home. They wanted to rip out the hardwood floors, remove the original old wood fir tree beams and knock out the walls to make it a McMansion-style house. And they wanted to do the same to him, basically. This guy who was a casual, cheerful, very talented Carpenter who looked like a poor man's Chris Pratt. And I mean that as a compliment.
However, the chemistry between the two principles was excellent and good triumphed over evil in the end. Probably doesn't deserve it, but I'm giving it 7 stars for the likability and overall appeal of the hero.
12 Reviews
The story itself was meh but it revealed a promising new leading man.
rosey-1427 July 2021
The story itself was a little formulaic and limited with characters and space due to the times we live in. I have never seen the leading man (Dennis Andres) in anything before and how refreshing he was, he had lots of onscreen charisma and a unusually masculine man for these sorts of movies. He managed to pull off the more vulnerable parts of the characters personality very well too. I would love to see him in more.
All in all a reasonable movie give the difficult circumstances of filming. It would have been improved by a better script but it was not the end of the world.
All in all a reasonable movie give the difficult circumstances of filming. It would have been improved by a better script but it was not the end of the world.
Get's better
Jackbv12315 January 2021
There are two things I don't like to see in a review. "Worst movie ever" or something similar. And people saying a movie is terrible while admitting they only watched 10-20 minutes. I've watched so many movies where I hated the start for any number of reasons and ended up liking the movie.
This movie started out so that I was thinking it might actually merit the statement of worst movie ever. Then a bit further I decided, maybe it just deserves worst premise ever. Then I wondered if maybe it was a parody on reality makeover shows since it was combining home makeover with a makeover of a person. I haven't completely given up on that last idea.
Here's the awful premise: oh yeah, who wouldn't want to watch a reality makeover that comes in and tells a blue collar guy that not only is his home terrible, but he is a loser personally as well. Insult the guy and expect him to take it. Not only that but force the makeover on him when he doesn't want anything changed in the first place. I loved how they snuck that contract in and not only did he not read it, but neither did Tiffany when she promised him it would be great.
They keep insulting him well into the movie. They want to force a blue collar guy into high fashion, men's style.
The acting was fairly good with the possible exception of Clayton James whose only contribution was to stand around and look either bored or disgusted. Oh and there was Johannah Newmarch's fake smile that wouldn't fool anyone.
I started to like Laura Mitchell in the second half and there was even a little chemistry developing with Dennis Andres even if it seemed like forever before they started to connect. In the first half, they didn't even have that playful banter because Tiffany was completely missing anything Brooks said or felt. Complete disconnect.
Like my title say, things start to get better the deeper we go into the movie. The climax and ending aren't half bad.
This movie started out so that I was thinking it might actually merit the statement of worst movie ever. Then a bit further I decided, maybe it just deserves worst premise ever. Then I wondered if maybe it was a parody on reality makeover shows since it was combining home makeover with a makeover of a person. I haven't completely given up on that last idea.
Here's the awful premise: oh yeah, who wouldn't want to watch a reality makeover that comes in and tells a blue collar guy that not only is his home terrible, but he is a loser personally as well. Insult the guy and expect him to take it. Not only that but force the makeover on him when he doesn't want anything changed in the first place. I loved how they snuck that contract in and not only did he not read it, but neither did Tiffany when she promised him it would be great.
They keep insulting him well into the movie. They want to force a blue collar guy into high fashion, men's style.
The acting was fairly good with the possible exception of Clayton James whose only contribution was to stand around and look either bored or disgusted. Oh and there was Johannah Newmarch's fake smile that wouldn't fool anyone.
I started to like Laura Mitchell in the second half and there was even a little chemistry developing with Dennis Andres even if it seemed like forever before they started to connect. In the first half, they didn't even have that playful banter because Tiffany was completely missing anything Brooks said or felt. Complete disconnect.
Like my title say, things start to get better the deeper we go into the movie. The climax and ending aren't half bad.
Dennis Andres
RaniaALDMR1 January 2022
Dennis Andres is the movie; he's perfect in this movie and in A hint of love. He is a natural: he masters comedy, drama and he can be both funny and touching without putting in any effort. I think however in both of the movie the leading actress was not a good choice: no chemistry what so ever.
Actually pretty good
toncincin15 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Normally - with UpTV movies - I watch about 20 minutes and delete it off my DVR. Bad storylines, bad acting - are usually the culprit. This one was actually above average. I watched it from start-to-finish. AND ENJOYED IT! The acting was pretty good - some familiar secondary actors from Hallmark movies can be seen. The leads were like-able and nice to watch - and the bantering back and forth was cute. I smiled and even laughed at some of the interactions. The old boyfriend was a jerk. Yes - the women gave up her TV career - BUT NOT FOR THE GUY. She did it to make herself better. YAY! What a concept. That's a believable storyline.
Um, not the most inspiring lead female
SunnyDaise22 December 2022
I'm all for standing up for women who are put down, but this movie is the other way around - she's too hard on the bloke over things that don't matter and aren't even a problem in the first place... it's kind of the opposite of misogyny, which I don't want to see either. I struggled to make it through the movie once, and certainly wouldn't rewatch. A few of the earlier Reel One movies, some starring this male actor, were like this but I've seen him in better RO stuff since. This movie is theoretically all-age friendly, but the woman doesn't really set a good example, so it would probably do more harm than good.
Good Chemistry Between the Leads
pgibbons-8395317 July 2021
I really liked this one!
KehDBug13 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I wasn't familiar with the leads, so that was refreshing. It seems that these Canadian productions have a pool of about 50 actors they draw from, so I liked seeing fresh faces for the leads. The storyline was also new. So many storylines play out like a dozen other movies you've seen, so I enjoyed the home makeover theme. I laughed so often at Brooks, and I enjoyed the journey of Tiffany struggling to retain her air of sophistication, but succumbing to the charms of Brooks and loosening up to allow her true persona to shine. For those rebuffed at the idea of making over Brooks when he claimed to be happy, the script was very clear that his home was pretty devoid of furniture and personality, and that his personal wardrobe style was sloppy and comfortable, because he was having a hard time moving on from the devastating break-up with Gwen. And many of the renovation changes suggested by Tiffany did not come to fruition as she and Brooks ramped up their collaboration throughout the movie. Yes, are the writers a little lazy with their spoon-fed exposition? Of course. But I feel like they did a much better job with this particular script than usual. And it was wonderful to see a beautiful woman lead who wasn't a size 0, but rather a healthy, normal size!
Fantastic Design Themed Romance
brookedennehylakin1 October 2022
Okay the gorgeousness of Dennis Andres himself alone is enough to warrant ten stars. Then you've got a beautifully designed story, an aesthetically pleasing set, and fantastic supporting characters and actors.
The chemistry between the two central characters is believable and slow building, and the characters of Tiffany and Brooks are complimentary and endearing.
I like how the storyline came together in the end with a completely new idea taking over that represented the best of both of them and together, that was seriously awesome and so nice and surprising <3
I loved everything about this movie (except the name which didn't really come in to play as they weren't builders? A design themed name would have fitted better.) Well done everyone on a fantastic movie!!
The chemistry between the two central characters is believable and slow building, and the characters of Tiffany and Brooks are complimentary and endearing.
I like how the storyline came together in the end with a completely new idea taking over that represented the best of both of them and together, that was seriously awesome and so nice and surprising <3
I loved everything about this movie (except the name which didn't really come in to play as they weren't builders? A design themed name would have fitted better.) Well done everyone on a fantastic movie!!
Romance with reality TV angle
herrcarter-921615 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
My wife is a big fan of those home fix-up reality shows, and she enjoyed this movie a lot. This film is a spoof of home renovation shows, showing how scripted and regimented they truly are. But mainly, this movie is a romance, and, as such, it mostly succeeds.
The back-and-forth, on-screen banter between TV host Tiffany and makeover candidate Brooks is always fun and enjoyable. The more heartfelt, off-screen conversations between them are great as well. The performances were good. Dennis Andres portrays Brooks as a likeable, relatable good guy. He gives plenty of push-back to Tiffany, but he's always pleasant and affable, rather than being obnoxious and rude, as is often the case with male leads in rom-coms. Laura Mitchell does a decent job portraying Tiffany, though I wish she were just a little more animated. She seems warm and sensitive at times, but seldom very enthusiastic about anything.
The romance between Brooks and Tiffany seemed kind of underdeveloped. They had some chemistry, but I wish the attraction had been more explicit. The final kiss between the two felt rather abrupt and forced. Also, this movie was crying out for a "one-year-later" scene, where you would have, hopefully, seen Brooks and Tiffany happily married and co-hosts of their own home improvement show, similar to Chip and Joanna Gaines.
So, for the most part, this was an enjoyable rom-com in a reality-TV setting. Its strength is the dialog and the performances. The romance could've been developed a little more, but it was still an enjoyable movie to watch.
The back-and-forth, on-screen banter between TV host Tiffany and makeover candidate Brooks is always fun and enjoyable. The more heartfelt, off-screen conversations between them are great as well. The performances were good. Dennis Andres portrays Brooks as a likeable, relatable good guy. He gives plenty of push-back to Tiffany, but he's always pleasant and affable, rather than being obnoxious and rude, as is often the case with male leads in rom-coms. Laura Mitchell does a decent job portraying Tiffany, though I wish she were just a little more animated. She seems warm and sensitive at times, but seldom very enthusiastic about anything.
The romance between Brooks and Tiffany seemed kind of underdeveloped. They had some chemistry, but I wish the attraction had been more explicit. The final kiss between the two felt rather abrupt and forced. Also, this movie was crying out for a "one-year-later" scene, where you would have, hopefully, seen Brooks and Tiffany happily married and co-hosts of their own home improvement show, similar to Chip and Joanna Gaines.
So, for the most part, this was an enjoyable rom-com in a reality-TV setting. Its strength is the dialog and the performances. The romance could've been developed a little more, but it was still an enjoyable movie to watch.
Liked it.
debbiemorry18 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This was a nice film with good acting. I enjoyed watching them fall in love.
I especially enjoyed them shopping for clothes for the "man makeover" as they were having such a good time and I even laughed out loud along with them ( LOL ).
The film was good clean viewing which was also lovely.
I especially enjoyed them shopping for clothes for the "man makeover" as they were having such a good time and I even laughed out loud along with them ( LOL ).
The film was good clean viewing which was also lovely.
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