Fresh and Exciting

A Masterpiece!

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

The central conflict of this movie is the fundamental differences in character of the two lovers. And my problem with the movie is that I was never convinced that those differences aren't ultimately going to be fatal in their relationship.In the usual mode of romance movies, two very impractical things are possible - 1) the career driven businessman (or woman) can find time to lay around in the grass or take a day trip out of town and generally just relax with his lover; and 2) anyone can become an event planner (or writer, or chef, or photographer or you name it) and immediately jump to the height of success. And even in number 2 they can do it with plenty of free time to boot. That these are myths is part of what creates such a fundamental difference between the characters.For me, the movie was saved by Lacey Chabert. In romance movies, she usually plays such a sweet girl with infinite optimism and you just want to like her, even though in this case she is irresponsible and does need to make some life changes. Even with her in the movie, I found my second time watching this movie just wasn't as good and I probably overrated it.

I really liked this movie. It was much more realistic than a lot of other movies on Hallmark-two people who lead two vastly different lives but want to be together. Don't get me wrong I enjoy Hallmark movies a lot but sometimes you want something that seems more real and less over the top cheesy love. The couple had actual arguments I'd imagine really do happen with real couples and it brought home a main premise (or at least what I thought was the main premise) of the story: compromise and realization of one's self. The supporting actors are people who we probably all have in our lives; friends who don't always support, at least initially, who our significant other is and those who realize the one you are with is the one you should be with. I would def.watch this again especially because I personally felt chemistry between the two main leads and I'm a sucker for Lacey Chabert.

I enjoy the more effervescent Hallmark romantic comedies the best and this is certainly one of those. The relationship and chemistry are explored well. Merriman, who has been acting in sitcoms since he was 9 and just played a nasty but driven Dixie Walker in 42, is quite believable as the driven lawyer whose live threatens to be turned upside down and LC, well-known from Party of Five forward, uses her charm and overbite amazingly well in this one. In fact, this may be the most complete performance I've seen from her. The best friends are well-played and have good chemistry with the leads. And the big blonde "other woman" who you would expect to be an obnoxious object-of-scorn in most films is actually a well-written and clearly motivated adult who takes everything in stride intelligently. And the performance of the woman playing Cynthia is pitch perfect - so points to this departure from the norm. And, this movie avoids mean-spiritedness to such a degree that even LC's main detractor, Merriman's best friend, sees the light and apologizes to her. LC is amazing in this.But, I must confess the real reason I am taking time to write this is the tour-de-force performance given by one of my personal all-time favorite former child stars, Patty McCormack as Rosemary, the all-wise secretary/matchmaker who never misses a chance to set right what she sees as wrong. Her performance is magnificent and sets the tome for the entire film. It is the meatiest role I've seen her get since her low-budget horror "Mommy" movies and she still has the same penetrating blue eyes she had as Rhoda Penmark and in the Explosive Generation and as Mrs. Roper (much too good for Geoffrey Tambor).This was a great role for her and her spirit carries the movie. I wish Priscilla Barnes (from Three's Company and more) had more to do in this film as she's also been an under-utilized talent. Anyway, this is a most enjoyable way to spend an hour and a half.

Still another version of a modern day Cinderella, not oppressed, but rather a free spirit who meets the guy of her dreams when they get stuck in an elevator.Our guy is a hot-shot lawyer who has just been promoted to a partnership in the firm. He is hard driven as work ethic really consumes him. Yet, a strong relationship develops between our 2 lovebirds.The story is basically if people from two different backgrounds can really succeed. It's the old case of compromise here.The cast is great and special kudos to Patty McCormack, as our guy's matchmaking secretary,who sees a good match in the making and fights to sustain it. If anything she is the "good" seed here.(Remember her as the evil child in her Oscar nominated role in 1956's "The Bad Seed?")We see our guy's friend who wants him to date the girl of high social status. She is a snob in every word and our guy has no chemistry with her whatsoever.Love conquers all. It's better than ever here.