Fall Into Winter

First I want to say that I don't understand the bad reviews for this movie. I have watched a lot of these romance movies and I have seen a lot worse. In fact I really liked this movie. I thought they played well and I liked the characters.

Some says they didn't had any chemistry. Well, I think they had. Sometimes a relationship grows slowly and their characters developed and was believable. I liked that they were sincere and tried to get things to work. I thought the male character played an interesting and likable role. I thought they all played pretty well.

So I can only recommend this movie.

High hopes for this one and Lori's return to movies despite the many recent Christmas movie disappointments from Great American Family. Unfortunately, this was a huge disappointment with a distinct low-budget feel including: -Annoying background music throughout the entire movie -Terrible "winter" decor consisting of obvious fake snow carpets, cheap tinsel garlands, and odd leftover Christmas decorations.

-An unconvincing candy shop set with very little candy and no display cases, but plenty of diner-style counter stools.

-Absolutely no chemistry between the poorly matched leads.

-Awkward dialogue and a plodding storyline.

I'm glad to see Lori Loughlin back to work, but this movie felt like she mailed in her performance. I didn't feel like anyone or anything (except for Cherion Drakes) had much emotion. The story certainly didn't have any highs or lows or surprises. And didn't I see almost this same plot a couple of years ago. There are many of the usual formula plot devices including not one but two misunderstandings that threaten to torpedo the relationship.

I liked James Tupper in My Family Christmas Tree (which I've already watched at least 4 times) and after Brooks got past his change everything and squeeze every penny phase, Brooks was a pretty decent guy. But that's just it. Decent. But nothing special. I didn't think Tupper and Loughlin had much chemistry.

There's nothing bad about this movie. It is certainly Family Friendly which is one of the benchmarks (I almost said hallmarks which is the other network) of GAC Family. It is just too vanilla, not chocolate.

This was a big disappointment. I expected much more from Lori Loughlin. She was stiff and lifeless through the entire movie. Guess I thought she was a better actress than that. I get that her character was supposed to be introverted and - somehow, damaged??- but her portrayal was almost catatonic. There was a much better performance from the actress who played her friend. She brought some life into the story. The pace was very slow and plodding - I almost turned it off twice, but kept hoping there'd be a spark of something towards the end. Absolutely no chemistry between the 2 leads. This is an emphatic "no" for me - won't watch it again.

The story is very predicable but if you are into these types of ultra simple, pedestrian movies and actually can suspend belief with the lackluster acting, then I guess it does it's job.

The premise is rather ironic, Lori plays a single mom with a daughter away at college (har har) in Europe and her brother thinks he's doing her a favor by getting her a new investor in her candy store. You can piece the rest together from the synopsis already published. James plays a money focused, stiff and unemotional business guy. Nothing to see here, the acting is at best barely passable.

I wish the characters were able to show more emotion, more flirt, more depth, more build up to the romance with more authentic drama. The story could have been fun and sweet instead it's dull and lifeless. It's just too vanilla and simplistic in it's depiction.

I watched it because I have never watch these types of made for TV movies and wanted to see what the hype was around Lori. She was just passable in it, it's all very straight and basic so hard to get a sense of what any of the actors are truly capable of.

I don't understand why these actors - Lori an ex con/fraudster and James in the news for trying to get his grubby hands on his dead ex's estate money by bullying her son - are even still being given acting roles? This is the best they could find? Don't they want actors who are role models in these "Christian" GAC productions?