It's nice to see Alexa without her real life husband (which is extremely rare). When they perform together it always seems like they over act. No on screen chemistry. I think it's because they force it and it just doesn't work for me. Anything with Luke macfarland works for me and he was good again. I might say chateau Christmas was a stretch because there was nothing to the script. Iwould watch this again while predictable it was enjoyable. Not like Alexa love boat knock off or some of the others with her husband.
29 Reviews
Enjoyed it
LtlHippo9 January 2021
It was SO nice to see Alexa without her husband. She shines much better with other leading men. Storyline was good. I like Luke but can't help but always picture his as Scotty in Brothers and Sisters. Storyline was rather predictable. Loved the scenery.
Luke! ohhhh Luke!!!
ssimeonidou118 January 2021
I love Luke MacFarlane! He gives his best in every movie, he is charming, into the character, emotional and his acting is shinny and balanced! Well done in this movie too.
Alexa is not my taste (overacting, too dramatic) but in this one she was good, in her character and cool...
The story was well developed, the dancers amazing and the cast all very good!
Give us more movies with Luke MacFarlane please!
Who knew ballet and hockey went together?
hallmarkmov28 May 2021
Pleasantly surprised by this movie! The story kept me interested and great acting by the cast. There were a lot of "ideas" the characters each gave one another on how to improve their lives which past hallmark movies used as the entire plot but they didn't go through with any of them leading to an ending I didn't expect. It was crazy that the lead is having financial trouble and has such a big property! Big house, rental unit, and an unused barn?! They made a rainstorm seem like an ice storm and clearly overreacted by how dangerous it was. Overall enjoyed the movie.
Major Chemistry!
weniwuna9 January 2021
I love watching Hallmark movies, even though in most you can pretty much figure out early on what's going to happen and who's going to end up with whom. I've seen a couple movies with the actress who played Jenna, and both were with her real life husband. They just didn't remain memorable in the least. It seemed to me that she and MacFarlane had so much more believable chemistry in this movie then quite a few couples I've seen in other Hallmark movies! Their relationship grew at a good pace, a natural seeming pace, and it made me wish this was a series rather than just a two hour film. I liked what they were able to teach each other and become better people because of it. Thoroughly enjoyable!!
Predictable but well done
Jackbv1233 January 2021
The professional athlete getting help with rehab from a romantic opposite is not the most common trope. It's also a nice touch to make it a pro from a tough guy sport being put with children to learn ballet. Despite the first blush impression of ballet, those people are every bit as athletic as any pro athlete in a major sport and it is especially torturous for the dancer's feet. But after the set up, things go pretty much as you'd expect. The teacher's studio is in trouble and you just know the celebrity athlete is going to do something to help. There are different possibilities as to what that might be, however. One minor twist in the story is that there's another potential pro hockey player that comes into play.
Jenna's backstory is revealed a little at a time and it is a sympathetic one. What I liked about Jenna is that she was always even tempered, even cheerful. You can see how this character would be an inspiration.
I had mixed reactions to Alexa Penavega's Hallmark performances in the past, some very negative. But in this movie I found her character very appealing and her acting decent, if a bit restrained. I love Luke Macfarlane and he fits the hockey player role very well. Together they had very good chemistry, but not quite sizzling.
The climax and ending are sappy and predictable in general terms. As I mentioned, there were maybe a couple of other possibilities. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.
Jenna's backstory is revealed a little at a time and it is a sympathetic one. What I liked about Jenna is that she was always even tempered, even cheerful. You can see how this character would be an inspiration.
I had mixed reactions to Alexa Penavega's Hallmark performances in the past, some very negative. But in this movie I found her character very appealing and her acting decent, if a bit restrained. I love Luke Macfarlane and he fits the hockey player role very well. Together they had very good chemistry, but not quite sizzling.
The climax and ending are sappy and predictable in general terms. As I mentioned, there were maybe a couple of other possibilities. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.
delightful
Kirpianuscus9 January 2022
In some measure, surprising because the predactibility and the familiar steps of romance are motives to see it as an ordinary Hallmark. But it is a film of details, details not only saving it be a ball of cliches but giving to it beautiful nuances. A mix of hockey and Ballet, help - in many directions - and basic truths . And, no doubts, reflection of inspired job of Alexa PenaVega and shinny Luke Macfarlane, the last real good in ballet shoes or on ice. . So, just ...delightful.
Worth taking a shot at
TheLittleSongbird21 January 2022
Not an awful lot to add. Am another person who likes Luke Macfarlane, his filmography is hit and miss but he has always been a very likeable actor. Am also another person who doesn't normally care for Alexa PenaVega, tending to find her forced and that she doesn't usually connect with her roles. Hallmark's films are on the most part very formulaic, though they have done changes of pace that come off well, but quite a lot of their output is watchable, though they have done a fair share of stinkers.
'Taking a Shot at Love' is far from being one of the stinkers and is more than watchable. It is a solid start to the 2021 year for Hallmark and a solid entry in the New Year New Movies category. Is 'Taking a Shot at Love' great or perfect? No, then again asking for perfection from Hallmark is setting expectations too on the high side. Is it worth watching. Yes it is, and it was nice to see some Hallmark films recently for a change that wasn't one of their Christmas offerings.
Like many Hallmark films, 'Taking a Shot at Love' does follow a tried and tested formula and doesn't do much new with it with many recognisable Hallmark cliches. So it does feel predictable.
Also did find the ending too neat and on the hurried side, a common issue with Hallmark, though not as easily telegraphed as most Hallmark endings. Maybe the music could have been used less.
However, so much is done right. Macfarlane has such an endearing easy going charm and looks completely at home. PenaVega really surprised me, she is perky, she doesn't try too hard and this is one of the few times where it feels like she is connecting with her character. She and Macfarlane have very natural, genuine and sweet chemistry, where their love is very believable. Their relationship moves at a realistic pace, not rushed or aimless, and isn't over-shadowed by what goes on in the story. The supporting cast are solid. The characters come over as more than just shallow ciphers and don't come over as too perfect or have exaggerated flaws.
Production values are very pleasing, especially the scenery, something that Hallmark nearly always delivers on. While there could have been less music, it at least fits stylistically and has character. The ballet is athletic and elegant, and being a ballet fan it was lovely to see it. The hockey was also fun. The script is not cheesy or too sentimental and has a warm glow to it. Although the story has no real surprises, it is very light hearted and has a warm heart, also didn't think that it moved too slowly.
Overall, promising beginning to the 2021 year for Hallmark. 7/10.
'Taking a Shot at Love' is far from being one of the stinkers and is more than watchable. It is a solid start to the 2021 year for Hallmark and a solid entry in the New Year New Movies category. Is 'Taking a Shot at Love' great or perfect? No, then again asking for perfection from Hallmark is setting expectations too on the high side. Is it worth watching. Yes it is, and it was nice to see some Hallmark films recently for a change that wasn't one of their Christmas offerings.
Like many Hallmark films, 'Taking a Shot at Love' does follow a tried and tested formula and doesn't do much new with it with many recognisable Hallmark cliches. So it does feel predictable.
Also did find the ending too neat and on the hurried side, a common issue with Hallmark, though not as easily telegraphed as most Hallmark endings. Maybe the music could have been used less.
However, so much is done right. Macfarlane has such an endearing easy going charm and looks completely at home. PenaVega really surprised me, she is perky, she doesn't try too hard and this is one of the few times where it feels like she is connecting with her character. She and Macfarlane have very natural, genuine and sweet chemistry, where their love is very believable. Their relationship moves at a realistic pace, not rushed or aimless, and isn't over-shadowed by what goes on in the story. The supporting cast are solid. The characters come over as more than just shallow ciphers and don't come over as too perfect or have exaggerated flaws.
Production values are very pleasing, especially the scenery, something that Hallmark nearly always delivers on. While there could have been less music, it at least fits stylistically and has character. The ballet is athletic and elegant, and being a ballet fan it was lovely to see it. The hockey was also fun. The script is not cheesy or too sentimental and has a warm glow to it. Although the story has no real surprises, it is very light hearted and has a warm heart, also didn't think that it moved too slowly.
Overall, promising beginning to the 2021 year for Hallmark. 7/10.
Nice!
TheDyingGirl13 July 2021
Was that Jennifer love Hewitt?
lauralemke3 January 2022
It took my breath away!!
meneimoh15 March 2021
This is one of the best 2021 has offered so far. The storyline is 'perfect'. The characters carefully selected. It's a masterpiece. If one has forgotten how it feels like loving again, watch it; it's going to bring back all the good memories.
felt a bit fake and lacked chemistry
kategobe31 January 2022
It's just an easy-watch romance movie like any other Hallmark movie but Alexa PenaVega ruined it for me. She just seemed to have this fakeness that really bothered me and ruined the authenticity. The two leads also seemed to lack a lot of chemistry although Luke Macfarlane did a good performance as usual. I wish Hallmark would have toned down the makeup, it only worsens the female lead character. Who's all dolled up with a mask of bronzer, eyeliner and a thick layer of lipstick first thing in the morning or in the evening in lounge clothes anyways? Everything about the female lead character just feels very artificial and it brings down the whole movie.
Take a shot at a different movie...
MoosesWin5 January 2021
I really like Luke MacFarlane a lot and was happy to see him in the first winter movie of the new year. I am not a fan of Alexa PenaVega however. I was surprised to see her in something without her husband. I felt the movie was just too slow and dragged. This was a miss for me.but I'm glad pthers enjoyed it.
One of my new favorites!
jemurphy-731154 October 2021
Probably one of my favorite Hallmark movies as of late! It's so refreshing to witness a relationship that grows without the typical major conflict that separates them until the last 30 seconds of the movie.
This movie still had conflict, but more internal conflict that required growth, balance, and love.
Great acting, good chemistry, and a story that encourages hard work, loyalty, and honest communication!
This movie still had conflict, but more internal conflict that required growth, balance, and love.
Great acting, good chemistry, and a story that encourages hard work, loyalty, and honest communication!
Love And Laughs
atlasmb17 January 2022
This charming Hallmark film is a romcom about a ballet instructor named Jenna (Alexa PenaVega) and a professional hockey player named Ryan (Luke Macfarlane). It deserves higher marks than most because the chemistry between the two is off the charts.
Because Ryan is injured, he is referred to Jenna for rehab via ballet exercises. This fish-out-of-water scenario gives the film most of its comic relief.
Along the way, the film provides plenty of simple lessons about living life. In the end, both parties are changed through their interactions. If you like Hallmark romances, you will probably like this one.
Because Ryan is injured, he is referred to Jenna for rehab via ballet exercises. This fish-out-of-water scenario gives the film most of its comic relief.
Along the way, the film provides plenty of simple lessons about living life. In the end, both parties are changed through their interactions. If you like Hallmark romances, you will probably like this one.
Pleasantly surprised!
ecbjorkman20 February 2021
Hallmark movies are a...lets go with special, kind of movies. Often way too cheesy and and gooey. Although this one does have one of the classic Hallmark-plots the chemistry and acting between Alexa and Luke are amazing.
Surprisingly great romcom.
Surprisingly great romcom.
Take a shot...or several
rockynchachi29 January 2021
Aim, shoot, SCORE!
brendamaille6 January 2021
Taking a Shot at Love scored a hat trick! I have always been a fan of Luke Macfarlane, but man, he is aging like a fine wine, and I don't mean to say that he looks aged at all. He is looking and acting better than ever and, may I add, buff and mighty fine. I loved the casual jock look and he played the part perfectly. He and Alexa PenaVega had great chemistry. In the past, I was a bit underwhelmed with Alexa's roles and performances (could have been the scripts or the direction), but she really brought her A-game to this role. The plot line in this movie was not particularly novel for Hallmark, but what made the movie so special was the acting, chemistry by the leads and a well written script. Oh, and I have to applaud the young ballet dancers. They were awesome!
Great movie about opening your mind to new possibilities
tredoe26 January 2021
Another solid Hallmark movie
RNMorton30 January 2021
Penavega runs a ballet studio and Macfarlane, on rehab from the Rangers, is ordered to take ballet for his ankle. You figure the rest out. Penavega is one of the top charmers in the Hallmark stable. Macfarlane may not be an expert skater but does everything else well enough. These movies either hit or miss and this one is a solid hit.
Barf bad.
mdc-911 June 2021
This film is so bad. I mean barf, barf Canadian bad. The script is agonising. All the characters talk about their feelings without expressing them. It is so cliche, and over written for the stupid. So predictable you end up shouting at the screen! Production values are nil. Just stick up a bunch of fairy lights in every scene and you're done. This sort of ludicrous, wish fulfilment garbage is so patronising it is truly damaging.
Cute movie
EPMD576 June 2021
The leads did a great job. Alexa was particularly good with her facial expressions throughout. The script and plot were good enough, and it really helped that they got approval from the Rangers to use the name/logo.
It's just a nice watch that will appeal to anyone who likes Hallmark movies.
It's just a nice watch that will appeal to anyone who likes Hallmark movies.
Great premise for a movie!
slklutz28 January 2021
I really enjoyed this movie because it showed me a way to rehab from almost the same injury, when it has appeared, it would never heal...thank you! It was a fun movie, lighthearted and interesting, even if the romance part may seem cheesy. We all need to slow down, and learn to relax and enjoy life...this is a great start! Hygge!
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