The Seven Year Hitch (2012 TV Movie) User Reviews

Cute

[Jackbv123 · 7/10 · 20 February 2021]

I never heard of a premise like this before, so I have to give it credit for that. On the other hand the ending was predictable. Then there's the famous "what's my favorite color" line.

Darin Brooks was exactly what he was supposed to be which included some great funny moments. He and Natalie Hall had great chemistry. Jen and Kevin's story was super sweet. Jen was a different person with Bryce and not very likeable. Not just sad, but weak. I think that's great story telling because that's what guys like that do to nice ladies.

Points off for makeup especially on Natalie Hall. There were a couple of scenes where I thought she was just about the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, but in most scenes, especially at the beginning, her facial tone was way off. It looked like she used a cheap spray on tan and then added too much red on her cheeks. It was very distracting.

A waste of a good idea which are getting few and far between at Hallmark.

[rebekahrox · 6/10 · 1 August 2020]

This was a good idea for a romance, but the plot was wasted on a nondescript leading lady, wasted opportunities, and failure to take advantage of the considerable talents of Frances Fisher and George Wendt.

Natalie Hall is pretty enough under all that make up (even on her daily run in the park?) but she brings nothing to the table as far as charm or charisma. Honey, you're still young (even now, 8 years later) and have nothing to hide. Let that fresh beauty shine through. Her acting is not bad, but it's nothing to write home about either. The smarmy boyfriend is well portrayed by a Ray Liotta look-alike. He certainly does his job making him hate-able. Darin Brooks is appealing and perfectly cast as Jennifer's life-long best friend and love interest, Kevin.

As far as the writing goes, I can't help but think some scenes were cut or never written in due to time considerations. There was an inexplicable time jump right to the rehearsal dinner of at least 3 or 4 months. Bad pacing. The lovable best friend is called a parasite by the mean fiance and although this was harsh, in truth, he is absolutely right. Cute and "merry-hearted" he may have been, but he was not much of a match for Jennifer who had an important and prestigious career. He didn't even graduate from college with only 6 credits to go! Come on, dude! He is pretty much a lazy loser and moocher throughout the movie and that is not a good look for the "hero." A little ambition to go along with his kind, fun-loving sweet persona, would have made his character more admirable.

Although the cheating jerk of a fiance did get dumped at the end, the scene was wasted. He needed to be publicly exposed (especially in front of his boss, the wonderful Frances Fisher) in a dramatic and delicious scene or two. Or three. He needed a major and humiliating take down. Instead, the reason for his downfall was because he couldn't name Jennifer's favorite color? And a fib about where he got the engagement ring? She was mad because he didn't get it for free from his granny and instead shelled out thousands of dollars for the biggest rock in the jewelry store? Wut? THIS is why she broke up with him instead of learning he was a serial cheater as well as acting like an evil controlling selfish sob from his first scene to his last?

The set up and idea for this one was good, but it was poorly executed and would have been so easy to fix. It's a shame.

Love can come calling even disguised and seven years late.

[Xjayhawker · 9/10 · 23 February 2013]

This is a quirky, charming unexpected delight.I'd like to say it is predictable, but it isn't. The characters surprise you in some ways. There are some people even in today's world that remain in their childish ways,refusing to accept responsibility for anything in their life. Darren Brooks is one young man who never stepped up to accept the fact that everyone around him has grown up and moved forward. His childhood friend is successful and being the life-long friend she has always been offers him her place to crash at until he "finds himself" Fast forward. And seven years have gone by. George Wendt from Cheers lives next door and your childhood friend has grown into a beautiful young woman, Natalie Hall. Just when she is about to marry is when our slacker begins to see what he's been missing in his life, even though she's been there the whole time. It is told around the world every day in hundreds of other people's lives..Love can be standing in front of you. You just have to open your eyes.You could be surprise. Good TV movie and a good two hours well spent.

A Spot On Performance by Darin Brooks

[garyhvizdak · 10/10 · 19 January 2013]

A funny, charming, and touching flick.

Pros:

1) I loved everything about Darin Brooks performance, down to the way his hair was groomed.

2) Excellent chemistry between Brooks and Natalie Hall.

3) The screenplay wasn't totally predictable.

4) The villain's role (Ryan Doom) wasn't overdone.

Con:

1) George Wendt received top billing along with the two leading characters, for what amounts to an extra's role. (I almost gave the film a 9 (out of 10) rating instead of 10 because of this.)

charming

[linda-plant2 · 9/10 · 14 March 2019]

Darren Brooks makes this film. He has the innocent humour of a young Jerry Lewis, and his timing is perfect. This young man should be looked at by the major studios and put forward for more prominent roles.

The film itself is charming and one you could lose yourself in for a couple of hours.

Loved this sweet and funny movie, despite some script problems

[robjdelaney · 27 March 2019]

Spoilers ahead. First of all, I really do like this movie. I've seen it a few times and always enjoy it, despite a few frustrating script problems. I'll get to those in just a minute. Kevin is played by Darin Brooks and he is perfect for the part. Most of the laughs come courtesy of him. Jennifer is played by Natalie Hall. She does a nice job and I don't take issue with her as an actress. However, I do take issue with her character Jennifer, as the part is written in the script. Kevin and Jennifer have been best friends since age 6. They went to college together and while Jennifer graduated, Kevin did not. He can't stay in the dorms any longer. Jennifer takes him in until he gets on his feet. Seven years later, he's still staying with Jennifer, living a carefree life of no responsibility. He doesn't even pay rent. Along comes Bryce, Jennifer's boyfriend of 6 months. He proposes to Jennifer. She says yes and he gives her a ring which he claims is his grandmothers. Kevin is not pleased with the engagement. He thinks she hasn't known him long enough and he doesn't even know her favorite color. Jennifer tells Kevin that he needs to move out because once she marries Bryce, he will be living with her. Then things get interesting. Kevin catches Bryce cheating on Jennifer. Kevin feels it's his duty as her best friend to keep her from marrying Bryce. Bryce wants Kevin kicked to the curb, calling him a parasite. Kevin's brother Jeremy is a lawyer and he tells him about common law marriages. If Jennifer and Kevin have lived together for 7 years and meet certain conditions, they are seen as husband and wife in the eyes of the law. They meet the conditions. Kevin has now blocked Bryce from marrying her. Both Jennifer and Bryce are not pleased with the situation. Jennifer decides she's going to get Kevin to throw in the towel on this common law thing. She'll do this by giving him the responsibilities of a husband. She doesn't think Kevin will step up to the plate. To her surprise, he completes all the tasks she asked him to do and then he goes above and beyond by building the gazebo she's always wanted in the backyard. Jennifer throws everything at him but the kitchen sink but Kevin is up to the challenge. Meanwhile, Bryce continues to cheat on Jennifer with various women. Throughout this movie, he's a real jerk toward her and walks all over Jennifer at every turn. Jennifer continues to try and please Bryce. She basically asks for more abuse by practically groveling at his feet. He must have some sort of superpower. Jennifer is always apologizing to Bryce anytime she thinks he is disappointed in her. By this point, Kevin has transformed into a responsible and productive person. He's also fallen in love with Jennifer. Kevin tells Jennifer how he feels. She basically tells Kevin that they are just friends and she is supposed to be with Bryce. He is obviously hurt. Kevin decides to sign papers to end the common law marriage. He won't stand in her way if she really wants to marry Bryce. Jennifer takes off the friendship ring Kevin gave her to remove one of the conditions that's required in a common law marriage. Kevin leaves with Jeremy. He will be living with his brother now. Jennifer continues to barrel towards her wedding day. It's full steam ahead with no thought of Kevin. Now we arrive at one day before the wedding. At the rehearsal, Bryce lets it slip that her engagement ring was the biggest rock at the jewelers. Jennifer then reminds him that he told her it was his grandmothers. He seems to have forgotten about it. She is not happy that he lied to her. At the rehearsal dinner she realizes that she doesn't know anyone there. They are all Bryce's business associates. She seems weary of these recent developments and decides to test out the whole "he doesn't even know your favorite color" thing. She asks Bryce what it is and he doesn't know. She tells him it's green. She is lost in thought for a few moments and says sorry before chucking the engagement ring into his wine glass. Jennifer then tells her friend that she is going to do something she should have done ages ago. She takes off and goes to Jeremy's house to find Kevin. Jeremy tells her he's going back to school and he's at the bus station. She gets the impression that he's leaving town. She sees a bus leaving the station and thinks he's on it. She starts walking away, but spots Kevin near the bus station. Here's where I have a problem. She starts walking toward him and stops about 50 feet short. He now has to walk the 50 feet if he wants to talk to her. Can you see where I'm going with this? Kevin was not treated very well. She pushed aside her lifelong friend so she could marry a jerk. So she shows up at the bus station and makes him walk to her. Not cool. She should have done all the walking if she had something to say to him. The only apology he gets is about the "tasks" she made him do. I'm sorry but that's enough for me. Kevin let's her off the hook. She even asks him why he didn't say goodbye if he was leaving for school. What? She basically ditched him, so why does he have to seek her out and tell her anything? Anyway, she tells him that he makes her happy, she kisses him and says "I love you" and all is forgiven. The final problem I have is when she says "sorry" while she removes her engagement ring. The way she says sorry is way too nice. This guy was horrible to Jennifer. Don't say sorry. Either tell him off or don't say anything. So back at the bus station, we find out that Kevin is not leaving town. He's going to a local school. The last scene is when they get married. I have to admit, despite the script problems, I still feel happy to see them together in the end. How can I enjoy the film after trashing the script? Good question. There is still a lot to like here. Darin Brooks makes this film work. He has good chemistry with Natalie Hall. There are just enough comical moments to keep you smiling or laughing. There are some sweet moments too. After seeing this a few times it becomes something like comfort food. I still recommend it. After all I'm giving it 8/10.

Bliss Upon Bliss- 7 Year Hitch ****

[edwagreen · 10/10 · 27 January 2013]

A wonderful movie that shows a keen friendship from childhood carrying on to adulthood. Our female heroine allows our young man to movie in with here in the room-mate capacity, Trouble is that it's now seven years later and our guy is still there.

The fun begins when the girl becomes engaged to a cheater,a guy pushed into this marriage by his boss who likes to see company partners married.

We sure learn about common law marriages in this movie, which is a story of maturity, responsibility and stepping up to the plate when you have to.

We also discover what true love is and this film makes it seem so good-and it really is!

it is what it is

[twodiamonds · 9/10 · 10 May 2021]

This is fun romantic romp between two long term friends. Came to see this for natalie hall, but got to say darin brooks stole the show. Both were a delight. This is a hidden gem that is well worth the watch. I love good romantic comedies and this is something different than most.

When Hallmark at least tried!

[medormer · 9/10 · 4 June 2022]

An early Hallmark movie, and a lot of fun it is too. A different plotline, with a solid, often humorous script, and a standout performance from the male lead make this very watchable - more than can be said for most Hallmark fare. Along with The Dating Coach, it's one of their few movies to show that decent films can be made on a low budget.

Cute Movie

[Leemelod · 8/10 · 4 February 2023]

I like this movie and I have seen it a few times. I think I mainly like in this movie because of the character of Kevin. I get really irked at Jennifer though. I realize that yes, Kevin definitely had some growing up to do, but in many ways she enabled him. Then when Bryce comes into the picture she starts treating Kevin like trash. Kevin however never waivers in his love and loyalty towards her. Even before he realizes that he was falling in love with her. I personally think that Kevin is too good for Jennifer. He may not have had a great career like she or Bryce, but he's faithful and loyal and good. These were traits Jennifer was lacking when she was dating Bryce. She turned on Kevin so easily for that jerk. That's not a good best friend and that's not love. I especially was irked by her believing Bryce over Kevin. Kevin tried to let her know many times that Bryce was a cheating jerk, but she always believed Bryce's lies. She knew Kevin her whole life and only new Bryce for 6 months, but trusted Bryce more than she trusted Kevin. I almost didn't want Kevin and Jennifer to be together, and I wasn't convinced Jennifer loved Kevin the way he loved her. She would bend over backwards for that horrible Bryce, but with Kevin she expected him to do everything for her. Anyway, I was glad to see Kevin being more responsible, successful, and adult like in the end. I loved that he still held on to some of his child like nature and made that work for him in his career.