One of the best TV movies I've seen. What stood out for me the most was the lead character was a free spirit and not like the stereotypical female characters that are usually in TV movies that are desperate to get married as they've shock horror reached 30. All the acting was really good I particularly loved the leads whom had great chemistry. The little girl was really good too. Yes a bit on the predictable side but then you expect that with these films. Honestly I'd rather watch this than the big Hollywood productions with bland actors, sleazy sidekicks and unromantic story lines. I hope to see more with these leads. A really lovely feel good movie.
12 Reviews
Very enjoyable
larkdeb10 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This was a well acted, sweet movie which I will likely watch again. I am a sucker for most Hallmark movies, but I have found some to be too ridiculous to even finish. This was not one of those. The acting and character relationships were very believable, the music and pacing of the movie was comfortable (it didn't draw attention to itself). The only thing I did not like was the ending, which seemed hurried, contrived and detached from the rest of the story. Overall, however, I would definitely recommend this one.
Great Movie Except for the End
athompsonblue23 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
It was a touching story of a college student bonding with a little girl and helping her work through the grief of her mom's death. In the process, the student works through the issue of her own mom's death, and discovers what to focus her career on.
My big complaint is where the romance went. The girl's dad dumps her twice, and accuses her without getting the full story. Was it really so hard for him to connect the dots that this thesis was about her personal experience? She should continue being the little girl's friend, but she shouldn't have taken the dad back. He doesn't deserve her. He doesn't even apologize at the end!
My big complaint is where the romance went. The girl's dad dumps her twice, and accuses her without getting the full story. Was it really so hard for him to connect the dots that this thesis was about her personal experience? She should continue being the little girl's friend, but she shouldn't have taken the dad back. He doesn't deserve her. He doesn't even apologize at the end!
More kleenex please
Jackbv12318 September 2020
How have I never seen this movie before now? Ashley Newbrough has been on my radar for at least a year or two. Wes Brown is always solid. And Jaeda Lily Miller by now has turned out more significant roles than a lot of adults and I think this might be one of her best even if it is early in her career.
I was thoroughly enjoying the story especially the three way relationship between man, woman and child. So much chemistry. Then after what I thought was a little hiccup (see below), it kicked into overdrive. Watch for the postcard size picture and take note of all of the people in it. But then the climax not only surprised me but touched me deeply, as well it should have. So well done.
The dialogue between Becca and Emily was a lot of fun and I always enjoy quirky characters. Emily is probably a bit too mature in some ways for her age and for a movie about child psychology, I think it's ironic that she exhibits thought processes a child her age hasn't developed enough for. But we call her precocious and audiences love it.
In some ways the story rehashed plot lines that have been done before, but Becca's thesis puts a fresh spin on it. And yes there were some other predictable things. I definitely saw the conflict coming, even if I thought maybe this was a terrible excuse to create a conflict. Yet it had to be that way for the whole thing to work.
Tiny pet peeves: 1) Some of us older adults can't read the tiny text on phone screens even if we pause it. 2) I'm always a little annoyed, especially in books, when more than a few words are spoken in a foreign language without an immediate translation.
I was thoroughly enjoying the story especially the three way relationship between man, woman and child. So much chemistry. Then after what I thought was a little hiccup (see below), it kicked into overdrive. Watch for the postcard size picture and take note of all of the people in it. But then the climax not only surprised me but touched me deeply, as well it should have. So well done.
The dialogue between Becca and Emily was a lot of fun and I always enjoy quirky characters. Emily is probably a bit too mature in some ways for her age and for a movie about child psychology, I think it's ironic that she exhibits thought processes a child her age hasn't developed enough for. But we call her precocious and audiences love it.
In some ways the story rehashed plot lines that have been done before, but Becca's thesis puts a fresh spin on it. And yes there were some other predictable things. I definitely saw the conflict coming, even if I thought maybe this was a terrible excuse to create a conflict. Yet it had to be that way for the whole thing to work.
Tiny pet peeves: 1) Some of us older adults can't read the tiny text on phone screens even if we pause it. 2) I'm always a little annoyed, especially in books, when more than a few words are spoken in a foreign language without an immediate translation.
A Favorite
atlasmb13 October 2021
Of all the Hallmark romances I have watched so far, this is my favorite. It is a sweet story.
Becca (Ashleigh Newbrough) is a fun-loving college student who seems to drift through life, never finishing anything. She forms a friendship with a young girl, Emily (Jaeda Lily Miller), whose widowed father, Nate (Wes Brown), has no idea how to bring Emily out of her reserved, withdrawn depression.
This is a character-driven story, but the dialogue is touching and the plot offers some wonderful moments. All three leads shine in their performances--- especially the two ladies, who rise above the usual characterizations in Hallmark films.
There is one disappointingly familiar plot twist near the end that pulled me out of the story, but that moment passes quickly and the ending is very satisfying.
Becca (Ashleigh Newbrough) is a fun-loving college student who seems to drift through life, never finishing anything. She forms a friendship with a young girl, Emily (Jaeda Lily Miller), whose widowed father, Nate (Wes Brown), has no idea how to bring Emily out of her reserved, withdrawn depression.
This is a character-driven story, but the dialogue is touching and the plot offers some wonderful moments. All three leads shine in their performances--- especially the two ladies, who rise above the usual characterizations in Hallmark films.
There is one disappointingly familiar plot twist near the end that pulled me out of the story, but that moment passes quickly and the ending is very satisfying.
correct
Kirpianuscus23 January 2023
A correct Hallmark romance. From the first scenes you know the final but exactly this predictability is the basic tool for create a very nice story about lost, friendship, connection, tasks and freedom.
For many reasons, it is just surprising. A young woman defined by a sort of Peter Pan syndrom who becomes, in this case, useful instrument for give joy and security to a little girl, the portrait of a widower just fair , crafted, beautiful job of Barry Bostwick in a role defined by parental care for his student and inspired use, as precious spice, of Velveteen Rabbit by Margaret Williams.
Sure, not easy to be very enthusiastic about it but a correct story, good acting, nice humor and gentle exploration of a trauma. And just lovely freshness. In short, it deserves a Bravo ! And few drops of applauses.
For many reasons, it is just surprising. A young woman defined by a sort of Peter Pan syndrom who becomes, in this case, useful instrument for give joy and security to a little girl, the portrait of a widower just fair , crafted, beautiful job of Barry Bostwick in a role defined by parental care for his student and inspired use, as precious spice, of Velveteen Rabbit by Margaret Williams.
Sure, not easy to be very enthusiastic about it but a correct story, good acting, nice humor and gentle exploration of a trauma. And just lovely freshness. In short, it deserves a Bravo ! And few drops of applauses.
Cute movie with a predictable plot
lisafordeay20 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
When a movie contains a single parent,loss in the family,guy/girl falls for single parent(usually it's the father figure) you pretty much know what's going to happen.
This film was no different. A young childlike woman named Becca befriends a young girl named Emily who lost her mother at a young age. Of course Becca falls for Emily's dad and the rest is pretty obvious.
The acting isn't Oscar worthy(well Hallmark movies aren't suppose to be masterpieces tbh),but I liked the story and it was an overall sweet film. 5.9/10 C+
This film was no different. A young childlike woman named Becca befriends a young girl named Emily who lost her mother at a young age. Of course Becca falls for Emily's dad and the rest is pretty obvious.
The acting isn't Oscar worthy(well Hallmark movies aren't suppose to be masterpieces tbh),but I liked the story and it was an overall sweet film. 5.9/10 C+
Bring tissues and your heart with you.
wlhawk-9186015 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Could Contain Spoilers: This is an all time favorite, as this story follows a single father just trying to do the best he can after losing his wife. He soon crosses paths with a grad student who also is struggling with loss of her own. The emotion is geninue and the story sentimental.
Hallmark movie
SnoopyStyle1 August 2017
Becca (Ashley Newbrough) is a flustered aimless college grad student. Her mentor English professor Walt (Barry Bostwick) wants her to get serious about her thesis and directs her to his school teacher niece. She befriends student Emily (Jaeda Lily Miller) who is still dealing with her mother's death. Nate (Wes Brown) is surprised that her daughter's new friend is a full grown woman.
This is a Hallmark movie. Newbrough deserves more and better roles. The little girl is plenty cute. The dude is boring. Bostwick has a minor role for the pay. It's pretty pedestrian as far as these movies go. Newbrough and the little girl have some nice emotional moments. There isn't much else.
This is a Hallmark movie. Newbrough deserves more and better roles. The little girl is plenty cute. The dude is boring. Bostwick has a minor role for the pay. It's pretty pedestrian as far as these movies go. Newbrough and the little girl have some nice emotional moments. There isn't much else.
Love that shines like a star
TheLittleSongbird22 May 2023
There were two primary reasons for seeing 'Love Under the Stars', and they are the two most common reasons for me in seeing anything. One was the premise, have liked most of the premises of Hallmark's 2015 output (though with exceptions such as 'Perfect Match'), but even with it being an unoriginal one this was a very easy to relate to one. The cast is a talented one, have liked Ashley Newborough and Wes Brown in other things and the same goes for Barry Bostwick.
'Love Under the Stars' was every bit as good as the premise sounded. As far as Hallmark's 2015 output goes, it is one of the best and when it comes to Hallmark's Hallmark Movies and Mysteries films in general it is better than most. All the cast come off very well, and the story has a lot of charm and heart without taking itself too seriously (which is not always the case with Hallmark Movies and Msyteries films, this is in regard to the latter). It isn't perfect, but this is one of those nearly great films that fell pretty much at the final hurdle.
If there was a nit-pick, it is that it could have gotten going quicker, with the film not finding momentum straight away.
Really though, when it comes to criticisms, only the far too pat resolution (have found this to be the case a lot with Hallmark, have found myself unintentionally criticising this aspect a lot) doesn't ring true and it did spoil the film a bit. It did make the female lead character come over as too naive and undermined a little the growth that she went through throughout the course of the film (and the growth actually was pretty significant).
A lot however is great. Newborough and Brown both give likeable and agreeably well meaning performances, in roles that on the whole felt true to life. Their characters coming over as flawed people to begin with (not overdone flawed though), while going through growth at a not rushed or aimless rate. Their chemistry is understated but still natural and genuine. Bostwick is solid in his role and Jaeda Lily Miller stands out in a beyond her years performance that mixes unforced cuteness, easy going charm and sincerity, never coming over as too cute or bratty. The characters, or at least the types, are ones seen a lot, but they aren't dull and only Newborough's character's final decision frustrates.
Furthermore, 'Love Under the Stars' looks attractive, especially the scenery and the music doesn't dominate or feel drab. The script is well meaning and takes the subject seriously without being over-serious, while having some light hearted-ness that doesn't come over as too jokey. The story isn't perfect, but is very touching and was easy to relate to while not feeling mawkish or over-serious. The music isn't overused or over-scored, often sensitive.
Concluding, liked it a good deal. 8/10.
'Love Under the Stars' was every bit as good as the premise sounded. As far as Hallmark's 2015 output goes, it is one of the best and when it comes to Hallmark's Hallmark Movies and Mysteries films in general it is better than most. All the cast come off very well, and the story has a lot of charm and heart without taking itself too seriously (which is not always the case with Hallmark Movies and Msyteries films, this is in regard to the latter). It isn't perfect, but this is one of those nearly great films that fell pretty much at the final hurdle.
If there was a nit-pick, it is that it could have gotten going quicker, with the film not finding momentum straight away.
Really though, when it comes to criticisms, only the far too pat resolution (have found this to be the case a lot with Hallmark, have found myself unintentionally criticising this aspect a lot) doesn't ring true and it did spoil the film a bit. It did make the female lead character come over as too naive and undermined a little the growth that she went through throughout the course of the film (and the growth actually was pretty significant).
A lot however is great. Newborough and Brown both give likeable and agreeably well meaning performances, in roles that on the whole felt true to life. Their characters coming over as flawed people to begin with (not overdone flawed though), while going through growth at a not rushed or aimless rate. Their chemistry is understated but still natural and genuine. Bostwick is solid in his role and Jaeda Lily Miller stands out in a beyond her years performance that mixes unforced cuteness, easy going charm and sincerity, never coming over as too cute or bratty. The characters, or at least the types, are ones seen a lot, but they aren't dull and only Newborough's character's final decision frustrates.
Furthermore, 'Love Under the Stars' looks attractive, especially the scenery and the music doesn't dominate or feel drab. The script is well meaning and takes the subject seriously without being over-serious, while having some light hearted-ness that doesn't come over as too jokey. The story isn't perfect, but is very touching and was easy to relate to while not feeling mawkish or over-serious. The music isn't overused or over-scored, often sensitive.
Concluding, liked it a good deal. 8/10.
Wonderful!
soonasblog6 October 2018
Wow...some seriously bad acting
atlbrvs24 January 2016
First, I do realize that this a Hallmark movie of the week but I really wish Hollywood would either find a new formula or find some actors who don't have that Ken and Barbie look. I'd rather watch great acting from ugly people than bad acting from good looking people. Otherwise, all Hallmark needs to do is stop spending their money, make one move and run it over and over again. They are all the same anyway.
The kid is mildly cute but the two main adult actors, are formulaic, predictable, tiresome and over done.
I'd rather watch 24 hours of a good working formula (Murder, She Wrote, MASH, etc) than this goulash of nothingness.
The kid is mildly cute but the two main adult actors, are formulaic, predictable, tiresome and over done.
I'd rather watch 24 hours of a good working formula (Murder, She Wrote, MASH, etc) than this goulash of nothingness.
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