Love to the Rescue

The title of this film comes from the fact it revolves a rescue dog, which two families want to adopt. Single mother Kate Healy (Nikkie Deloach) and her daughter Sophia (Michaela Russell) set their sights on the rescue dog, Bruce, only to find that single dad Eric Smith (Michael Rady) and son Owen (Max Ivutin) also plan to adopt the adorable pooch.

A decision to temporarily co-adopt leads to many interactions between Kate, who likes to think outside the box, and Eric, who is usually satisfied by the status quo. The first forty-five minutes showed no chemistry between the two, as backgrounds were established.

Kate is a character that may not appear to everyone; she has a quirkiness that is Diane Keaton-like. But that personality is what really drives the story and gives it energy.

The two child actors would seem to have a promising career in acting. They were not just child placeholders in the story. They felt integral to the story development.

It was a nice change of pace that this Hallmark romance was shot in Savannah, GA.

'Love to the Rescue's' concept appealed to me right away. It sounded very cute and heartfelt. Plus while Nikki DeLoach and Michael Rady are hit and miss when it comes to their filmographies (particularly Rady, but he has nearly always been one of the redeeming merits), both are always worth watching and are two of Hallmark's best and most consistent regulars. Hallmark's overall output is not to be immediately dismissed as they did do a lot of surprisingly good films. 2019 was a variable year for them, but there were again good ones.

One of the good ones is 'Love to the Rescue'. It is one of the best 2019 Hallmark films overall and definitely among the best 2019 Spring Fever films. Perhaps even the best, or at least a strong contender, being one of the few where the concept was immediately appealing while others left me mixed or iffy. 'Love to the Rescue' does both leads justice and corrects most of the flaws that Hallmark are prone to having and frequently committ.

Beginning with the very few things that didn't quite come off, 'Love to the Rescue' to me did lost momentum in the final act, where the conflict lacked tension and the pace slowed.

Am going to agree that the ending was on the lame side, very anti-climactic and didn't make me feel that much.

However, both DeLoach and Rady are great. Both look completely at ease and are charming and have charisma that is subtle and perky. Also loved that their characters developed realistically and were ones with flaws and strengths. Instead of the "too perfect too early" or "over the top negative character traits throughout most of the film until a sudden 180" seen too many times over the years of watching Hallmark films (and Lifetime). Their chemistry is genuine and very endearing. The children are adorable and also surprisingly mature, they are not over-cute and they aren't annoying. And who can't help love the dog.

It is a good looking film, especially the scenery. Something that Hallmark often delivered on, even in their misfires. The music isn't over-scored or too constant. The script isn't awkward and has genuinely amusing comedic moments and very sweet and touching dramatic ones while keeping sentimentality at bay. The story is not innovative but clearly knew exactly what it wanted to be and do, and has lightness, warmth and charm.

Overall, very nicely done. 8/10.

Kate is an animator, free-spirit woman and mom to Sophia. Eric has a type A personality who loves laminating things, following rules and is also a single dad to Owen. Both parents agree to adopt a dog, the same dog, so they co-foster the adorable Bruce.

You can imagine who this thing goes: they spend time together, become close, become friends and in the end start feeling things for the other. What made me rate this movie with a 9 is that they wisely chose not to include the typical cliches they always do. Plus, it was so much fun to watch! I actually laughed out loud more than once.

Sophia and Eric both have the same personality as well as Kate and Owen and I thought that was beautiful, the four of them coming together, sharing experiences while spending time with the dog: (Don't shop, adopt!)

The fact that Sophia's parents are separated, but still have a great friendship, and they even talk about new relationships, kudos for that!

Nikki Diloach was so much fun to watch and Michael Rady excels at playing this type A personality. Great chemistry. The children were adorable and did amazing!

I'm just so happy they avoided the cliches and came with new ideas for once (even the flash-forward), well done!

The chemistry works perfectly between the always-good Nikki Deloach as a top animator, and Michael Rady ,who was the beating heart of the film, as an overly-prissy administrator who'd lost his wife and was still holding onto his grief. The dog-sharing, the kids, the scenery in Savannah was all great. Way better than your typical Hallmark fayre !

I love all of Nikki Deloach films but this one is completely becoming one of my favorites. The chemistry between the two lead characters was fantastic. The dog was cute and the children were fantastic.