Advice to Love By

As said in some reviews for other 2021 Hallmark films, 2021 was a hit and miss year for Hallmark but actually was expecting in all honesty it to be a lot worse than it turned out. Have seen Brooks Darnell in other things and he strikes me as a very likeable actor who is usually well above what he is given in too many of the films he's starred in. Most of the 2021 Fall Harvest films didn't do much for me, the best by far being 'Love Strikes Twice' as that felt like a refreshing attempt at doing something different.

My overall thoughts on 'Advice to Love By' were mixed to mildly positive. As far as the 2021 Fall Harvest films go, it is one of the better (or at least one of the more watchable) ones. There is a good deal to like here, Darnell being one of the biggest pluses. But this reviewer also had some big issues with 'Advice to Love By', even when knowing what to expect as someone who has seen a lot of Hallmark films (a number of them being above average and more), namely some of the storytelling and the female lead.

Beginning with the plusses, Darnell is very amiable and charming in his role, a character that is interesting and easy to like (felt sorry for him at times). Samantha Cole stands out in the solid supporting cast, bringing some welcome energy without being annoying or over-compensating. The characters are typical but generally no real issues. The production values are attractive, once again the scenery delivers on the beauty. The music isn't drab or repetitive, and it isn't discordant, maybe it could have been used more subtly but other Hallmark films do much worse at this.

Furthermore, 'Advice to Love By' is often very cute and heart warming. Some of the dialogue and interplay are quite fun.

Having said all of that, Erinn Westbrook seemed rather stiff too often, she does get better later on but she tends to overdo her character's naivety and abrasiveness. Characteristics that at their worst were pretty hard to take. While the chemistry does get warmer as it develops a little more, it does take quite some time before anything progresses and even then the spark never feels enough.

One expects a Hallmark film to be formulaic, and 'Advice to Love By' is certainly that. It just doesn't do much new or enough really with too many typical elements and the dialogue can be very corny and stilted (especially early on). Do have to agree with those that say that the story can feel very choppy, especially the severely underdeveloped and forced conflict, introduced suddenly, near-discarded and resolved too easily and unrealistically so. Which did make some decision making not easy to fathom.

Concluding, above average and quite decent but didn't blow my mind and could have been a good deal better. 6/10.

Nice premise but the lead actress was not very good. Lead actor was great. Movie a little choppy, editing and/or direction was weak. The flow of the movie was choppy at times.

The only good thing and reason for my generous 4 stars was the lead actor. He's a fine actor given lousy material.

The rest didn't flow, there was zero chemistry, the lead actress was another spunky, fast-talking, know-it-all and where did the plot go? You'd think you were finding it then they threw it in a blender or something.

It just rushed through whatever plot they were struggling to find, couldn't find it and did a quick wrap up, I guess. Better writers needed.

I'll never watch that actress again, however. There's enough stress in the world without adding these high octane power people. Hallmark's "hallmark" is cozy comfort. Sadly, none of that was to be found here and I couldn't have cared less if she found love or not. Hopefully not. She'd be awful as a partner.

I was far more interested in this steamroller woman's assistant's love life. She was charming.

This was a good movie with good acting. The leads were beautiful and looked cute together. It was very odd, though, when the final scene took place, the kiss was perfunctory and brief. Not a usual Hallmark end of movie kiss. There were no romantic moments between the couple during the movie, such as a look of attraction, an almost-kiss, a hug. One falling down together earlier in the movie was not as usual for these Hallmark movies. Usually with the couple looking at each other in a moment of awkward chemistry. Nope, didn't happen. There was one momentary hand-holding. Not sure what was up with this. And it's NOT due to Covid, as some have said, as if there were no protocols in place during filming or there's any evidence that the virus can be transferred through a real kiss, but not a lip peck. Lol . But the movie was interesting, anyway. Gave it a 7.

I really and honestly enjoyed this movie from beginning to end. It is definitely one of the better Hallmark movies. The acting was good all around, which is not always the case with sappy romance movies from Hallmark. I'm not sure I understood the storyline that set up the romance in the first place. Although, the actors had convincible chemistry. They play well together. It kind of got left by the wayside in terms of plot. I liked the ending, but what happened to the hallmark (pun intended) clapping at the kiss? No, no, don't bring that back - I'm just wondering. I liked the goofy dancing to send the audience off. Nice movie,