The acting is weak, but the dialogue didn't help. The writer keeps referring to "his hero" to the editor. The ex, who was apparently a "businessman" because he said things like "you're the one deal I can't negotiate". I've been in business for 30 years. Believe me - no one talks like that. And I was so distracted when the lead guy was talking to his sister on the phone. She was supposedly driving, but was turned to the side the entire time. I kept waiting for her to crash. The one positive - I feel so fortunate that I don't have friends who have week long destination wedding celebrations where I have to spend the entire time doing planned activities, such as tug-of-war on the beach - while wearing a dress.
11 Reviews
Would be OK but for 1 character
lm15744 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
It would have been a passable romance -maybe a 7 or 8 - except for Zach. I can't even figure out why he was still invited to the family wedding. He wasn't a relative, he was no longer a boyfriend. The reason was ostensibly because the family loved him despite the breakup. All I could wonder was WHY??? He was the rudest, most obnoxious creep I could imagine. He was like a spoiled petulant 5 year old: asking inappropriate questions and demanding explanations that were none of his business, cutting serving line to be first and get everything he wanted ahead of everyone else including the bridal couple. Honestly he was so obnoxious I fast forwarded through every scene he was in. Take him out and it still would have been a cute movie and there still could have been the hurdle of hiding the leads' fake romance from the nosy family. Zach was just way too over-the-top and detracted from the movie.
Missed out on some potential
VetteRanger9 February 2023
I give this movie an eight for the concept, but a four for the execution, and I'll tell you why in a minute.
First, we liked the actors and thought the leads did a good job. The overall story idea was clever, and as an author, I particularly like movie ideas which include writers. And yes, sometimes an editor can help an author identify issues in their plotting and seriously improve a manuscript.
Here's the other side. Last year I wrote a murder mystery, and over the last two years I've been writing a series of RomComs, so I've kind of got my elbows down in that type of work. They say the guy handles his romance relationship all wrong, and the editor is going to help him improve that. Fine. What they missed were any DETAILS to make that trope more real to the viewer.
In the far superior Trading Christmas, a woman helps a male author with the relationship in his manuscript and what's wrong with his female character, and they at least talk about it enough to understand where the author was going wrong and how to fix it.
None of that here, I'm afraid.
First, we liked the actors and thought the leads did a good job. The overall story idea was clever, and as an author, I particularly like movie ideas which include writers. And yes, sometimes an editor can help an author identify issues in their plotting and seriously improve a manuscript.
Here's the other side. Last year I wrote a murder mystery, and over the last two years I've been writing a series of RomComs, so I've kind of got my elbows down in that type of work. They say the guy handles his romance relationship all wrong, and the editor is going to help him improve that. Fine. What they missed were any DETAILS to make that trope more real to the viewer.
In the far superior Trading Christmas, a woman helps a male author with the relationship in his manuscript and what's wrong with his female character, and they at least talk about it enough to understand where the author was going wrong and how to fix it.
None of that here, I'm afraid.
Good Storyline until the end
wdjdhj1 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I felt like the overall storyline was good, but there times when it felt the adults actors were acting more like high school students. I liked the chemistry between the two main characters, but at the end, they never explained why Reed and Zach were shaking hands on the beach, and from there on, it was like, "Oh, we only have a few minutes to wrap this up". Because of that, it lost the chemistry and tension that had made it good. The ending was stiff, and then they go from the wedding to them kissing in what appeared to be a house, and it ended. I feel like they did the very thing he did in his book that she was trying to correct.
Almost good...
boriskaiser31 October 2022
This movie would be above average Reel One Entertainment TV movie but it wouldn't be ROE if they didn't - read at the end.
I really like fake relationship trope and it was executed pretty well. Acting was solid except Reed Favero who played annoying adult brat but people like him exist so it's ok. There was a bit of some bad makeup, lighting, and cuts but nothing serious like in many other ROE TV movies. Movie plot location is in Florida, and it was actually filmed in the beautiful Miami.
And here comes the reason why I gave it 4* instead 6*. This is message to Reel One Entertainment - pay somebody to do proper audio production because most of your TV movies suffer from the obnoxiously loud background music! Dialogue in this movie is literally barely audible in Acts I and III - I had to read subtitles which are mostly badly translated in this part of the world!
In the typical bad ROE tradition, trailer compress whole movie in 2:06 min so don't watch it if you plan to watch movie as is full of spoilers.
I really like fake relationship trope and it was executed pretty well. Acting was solid except Reed Favero who played annoying adult brat but people like him exist so it's ok. There was a bit of some bad makeup, lighting, and cuts but nothing serious like in many other ROE TV movies. Movie plot location is in Florida, and it was actually filmed in the beautiful Miami.
And here comes the reason why I gave it 4* instead 6*. This is message to Reel One Entertainment - pay somebody to do proper audio production because most of your TV movies suffer from the obnoxiously loud background music! Dialogue in this movie is literally barely audible in Acts I and III - I had to read subtitles which are mostly badly translated in this part of the world!
In the typical bad ROE tradition, trailer compress whole movie in 2:06 min so don't watch it if you plan to watch movie as is full of spoilers.
Fun One
skillfulcota5 February 2023
I enjoyed this movie. Tangled web with funny outcomes as the plot unfolds. Top cast did a fabulous job acting out the story. Family members and friends depicted well, as I could relate to the ignorant comments and bad choices family make. The unfolding of what writers go through to produce a product was also well-developed in this movie. Only familiar with Kristina Cole and was not familiar with the other cast members. Thought they did a good job bringing this story to life. The setting was ok. I am tired of beach movies so that was a negative for me. Costumes and makeup are top notch..Kuddos to the artists and creative team.
Worst. Acting. Ever.
catherine_lagere5 February 2023
I really, really wanted to like this. The storyline was decent, but that's where it ends. The acting was B level at best, direction was hardly evident at all, and the editing and sound was atrocious. I think the only reason I watched it through to the end was because I had recorded it on the DVR. Otherwise, I'm fairly certain I would've changed the channel. I don't know where the production company came from or any of that other stuff that have been mentioned and other reviews, but I know what I like and what I don't like. This one is definitely in the don't like Section. Save yourself two hours of your life and watch something else.
Great script
Jackbv12321 February 2023
Yes the line delivery is quick. I am hard of hearing and notorious for having trouble following conversation. There were a few moments where I had some trouble, but overall, I enjoyed it and missed little (often ignoring the CC). I thought the dialogue was some of the best I've heard in a while. One of the strong points here was the insightful conversations about Romance writing. Another example worthy of note is the teasing at the spa. Girlfriends teasing the lead female about her new romance is in every rom/com and it is usually trite and cliche. Not here. The teasing here was natural. It sounded real.
The other great thing is the chemistry between Kristina Cole and Russell Quinn. There is so much energy and admittedly some of it comes from the fast paced dialogue.
One complaint I have had with many movies on GAC Family where this appeared is lack of tension. Zach as a character may not be exactly "tension" but he is annoying beyond belief and creates some major tension. At one point, Reed describes him pretty well and I'm with Reed in not being able to figure out what Ivy ever saw in him. By the end of the movie, Ivy would be justified to slap Zach silly.
Another complaint I've frequently had with GACF is background music. In this movie, I only noticed that background a couple of times briefly and not overwhelmingly, so I have to give this movie a pass on that complaint.
To sum up. The acting is good and the chemistry is fantastic. But the real gem is the writing. Perhaps the line delivery is a bit fast, but the script is superb in big and small ways. I look forward to watching this again in the future.
The other great thing is the chemistry between Kristina Cole and Russell Quinn. There is so much energy and admittedly some of it comes from the fast paced dialogue.
One complaint I have had with many movies on GAC Family where this appeared is lack of tension. Zach as a character may not be exactly "tension" but he is annoying beyond belief and creates some major tension. At one point, Reed describes him pretty well and I'm with Reed in not being able to figure out what Ivy ever saw in him. By the end of the movie, Ivy would be justified to slap Zach silly.
Another complaint I've frequently had with GACF is background music. In this movie, I only noticed that background a couple of times briefly and not overwhelmingly, so I have to give this movie a pass on that complaint.
To sum up. The acting is good and the chemistry is fantastic. But the real gem is the writing. Perhaps the line delivery is a bit fast, but the script is superb in big and small ways. I look forward to watching this again in the future.
Painful and choppy.
grammajanie-2881110 February 2023
If you're into reading lips and/or closed captioning, go for it. Otherwise it's difficult to comprehend what's being said. And it's across the board - every member of the cast. All of them acted as if they were afraid to be on screen and just wanted to spit their words out and get off camera. Almost like watching a movie in a different language - or one from a junior high school stage. That, coupled with truly dreadful sound quality, made this a much harder watch than expected.
Then there's the cast and characters. The lead's sister and the bride were both majorly annoying characters. Who wrote this stuff? Guess I expected that if GAC is planning to rival Hallmark, they'd at least try to find a better product than this. Choppy. Choppy. Choppy. From beginning to end.
Great scenery - thanks for filming in the U. S. In this case it just couldn't redeem the overall experience.
Then there's the cast and characters. The lead's sister and the bride were both majorly annoying characters. Who wrote this stuff? Guess I expected that if GAC is planning to rival Hallmark, they'd at least try to find a better product than this. Choppy. Choppy. Choppy. From beginning to end.
Great scenery - thanks for filming in the U. S. In this case it just couldn't redeem the overall experience.
Yes! Watch it over and over!
pastordouglapointe22 February 2023
I either love a Great American Family movie as I watch it or hate it. I either watch it over and over or I don't even get through it.
So, what is this one? It is a watch over and over one for me. The two leads are great. They never overact and seem to get the plot and who their characters are exactly. There are several side characters who also add a lot to the movie, especially Aunt Edith. I love when the side characters are carefully thought out like this one.
The plot is intelligent with a few memorable comedic moments that make you love the writing. As an author myself, this movie about writing rang true. As someone who has always valued a good editor, much of this was spot on.
There were a few character issues that one more rewrite could have fixed. The ending was a tad confusing too. But, so be it. The movie hit on so much else that it is a winner.
So, what is this one? It is a watch over and over one for me. The two leads are great. They never overact and seem to get the plot and who their characters are exactly. There are several side characters who also add a lot to the movie, especially Aunt Edith. I love when the side characters are carefully thought out like this one.
The plot is intelligent with a few memorable comedic moments that make you love the writing. As an author myself, this movie about writing rang true. As someone who has always valued a good editor, much of this was spot on.
There were a few character issues that one more rewrite could have fixed. The ending was a tad confusing too. But, so be it. The movie hit on so much else that it is a winner.
It was a great movie.
rosemarysgeorge23 October 2023
Definitely recommend, it was funny, well written. The cast was new to me, but want to watch more of them. It was beautifully filmed on location. It shows people recognizing their mistakes and apologizing, which's a rare occurrence in this day and age. It involves family members sharing and caring for each other, giving each other constructive support and encouragement, as it should be. I would watch anything from director and cast. Movie is not like the violent, horror language coming out of the Hollywood elite studios today. Wholesome and family friendly, will watch again with my children. Loved it. 10 out of 10.
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