Falling Together

Hallmark's recent foray into what I always think of as After School Specials for adults. In addition to rom coms taking place in fictitious countries still ruled by royals or predicated on amnesia, widowhood, or broken down modes of transportation, Hallmark has a steady sideline in message-driven movies. In this case, the unlikely storyline is Alzheimer's awareness awkwardly shoehorned into a plot about a woman obsessed with developing community in a condo building. The two "leads" are the building superintendent who has been SCARRED by CARING and thus is aggressively isolated and an overly giving self denying college admissions officer who doesn't work ever because she has moved to town 6 weeks early SOLELY to get to KNOW THE NEIGHBORS - in Pittsburgh - cue the Mr. Rogers jokes. She becomes overly involved in an Alzheimers awareness walk while also endlessly insisting on new and fun ways to create COMMUNITY in her condo building. While the message is nice, the execution is horrible. The movie makes little to no sense. Perhaps a movie about a person WITH Alzheimers might have been a better idea? Or about caregiver? IDK anything but this unholy marriage of weird storylines.

Sadly even Hallmark movies have produced some meaningless and mindless entertainment. This was very meaningful and shows how the Fracture of our society can lead to desperate consequences. Ashley Williams was the perfect person to play the lead role as a bright eyed uplifting person. Paul Campbell as always, adds a touch of compassion in whatever movie he plays. Yes I know, in this hyped up world, people are too skitish to sit through something that is meaningful. You might realize that you're out of sync with what's important in the world. This movie is important not only for highlighting Alzheimer's but how we can learn to get along with one another.

This movie was a big disappointment ,especially with the reputation of the stars,Ashley Williams and Paul Campbell. They are wonderful actors and I have liked all of their previous movies. This movie had a worthwhile message of Alzheimer's disease and the brave people who deal with it but not for a two hour movie. Ashley's character did talk too much and was over the top with her bubbly persona. Paul's character lacked depth and was hard to figure out . They really lacked chemistry and had no spark there . Hallmark has produced some fine movies with great performances but this one fell short. I just didn't like the way the story was presented,bland and uninteresting. I look forward to much better from them.

It's hard to believe that this Saturday night, premier Hallmark movie was thought to be appropriate for intelligent adult viewers. An after-school teen club might have learned something from the film's message about kindness to neighbors, openness to new friendships, understanding of each individual's personal issues. But to mold a movie around such a very simple, almost childish concept for an adult audience at a prime time showing seems strangely illogical.

Paul Campbell is a sophisticated, polished actor, writer, director. It was almost embarrassing to see him portray such a weak, almost pathetic character. His scruffy appearance was not respectful of the fine, sophisticated actor he is

Ashley Williams needs to be advised to"tone it down". Her excessive smiling and chatting does not befit the mature, talented actress she is. She came across a almost manic, over-the-top with her big smiles, excessive dialogue, and endless bright-eyed energy.

This viewer was left wondering what Hallmark had in mind. Compared to the typical Hallmark story, romantic themes, problem-solving stories,, this film fell flat. This viewer didn't make it to the end of the movie. After the aging father told his story and history, explaining the situation in the condo, the moment to move on simply came quickly and the channel was changed.

Apologies for my first ever negative review. There was no logic for this film to be made, much less to be shown at the one hour that loyal viewers always anticipate and look forward to, prime time Saturday night. We loyal Hallmark fans look forward to better planning and decisions.

Paul Campbell is a reliable Hallmark star (and one who attracts a lot of irrational hate for his stance on social issues that I am sure you can figure out - I'm sure there'll be the usual hate for this one as a result) and Ashley Williams is pretty good, too.

I just didn't completely feel their chemistry, and these Hallmark movies are nothing if the leads don't have a certain amount of chemistry.

That said, the Alzheimer's storyline is sensitively handled. It's such a terribly debilitating disease that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. I was pleasantly surprised to see it a part of the plot, but it wasn't enough to save the movie.

Also: not enough outdoor fall scenes for mine. The best Hallmark fall movies have lots of scenes outside.