Guiding Emily

First, a note of surprise... Hallmark must have had a change of creative management recently as suddenly their movies are way more original, creative, fun and believable than so much of what they have produced in the past. This is perhaps the third totally enjoyable movie of theirs I have seen lately.

In Guiding Emily - first a huge kudo to the acting, especially Sarah Drew. Her acting is superb and she goes through every emotion in the book in this movie. Not just Sarah Drew but every actor did a superb and believable job.

Second, while the story could have been a tear-jerker and way dramatic, Hallmark kept this to a minimum and instead focused on Emily's development after becoming blind. And, interweaving the story of Emily along with the story of the dog from a puppy up to adult size was brilliant.

Hallmark, please provide more entertainment like this and will someone please give Sarah Drew an Emmy or similar award for her work on this.

'Guiding Emily' is a film that will resonate with anyone who has completely or partially lost their sight, or someone having to deal with a loved one losing their sight.

Sarah Drew stars as the adventurous Emily, who loses her sight after a hiking accident. Her fiancée Connor (Toby Levins) is comforting and supportive at first, but when he realizes he would have to adapt to an entirely different lifestyle with a blind woman as his wife - and having received a job offer he can't refuse - Connor has second thoughts. This and the fact Emily now needs guidance, leaves her distraught.

But 'Guiding Emily' isn't a somber, pity movie. It is uplifting, and there are many funny moments. Many of these humorist moments are provided by the absolutely adorable dog, Garth - a Labrador guide dog. Much of the film is also told from the dog's perspective.

The film proves just how easy it is for sighted people to take sight for granted. After all, our eyes are the windows to the world. And we so seldom even consider the possibility of vision being taken away from us in a matter of seconds. With the loss of one sense, though, the other senses become more dominant - such as the sense of smell and touch.

'Guiding Emily' is a feel-good movie with good performances and a good script. It never gets too emotional and despite a few dramatic moments here and there, it remains lighthearted enough throughout so you don't need a box of tissues. Then again, Garth's cuteness might also stir happy emotion, so yeah, maybe its best to keep those tissues handy!!

The film also teaches us not to be too depressed when things go wrong. Sometimes things happen for a reason, and just maybe fate has a funny way of showing you the way to a better life...

I was so looking forward to this movie. The idea and the plot sounded great. Unfortunately the actors had not done their job as an actor. I bet they haven't even researched how to be blind or even talked to a blind person. I have seen better actors acting blind. And on a probably lower budget than this movie. It was not believble. The storyline to the dog was horrible too. Oweral the producer or the script also had bad lines. With a 7.8 on IMDb I thought this would be better. But it just shows how much People really don't know about blind people or service dogs.

But hey. If you love gullible love cliché who overact love. With a simple dog to give extra points to the movie. Then yeah. This movie is for you.

I have seen just about every Hallmark movie that was released since 2012. I had to do chemo two years ago and watched them all during my down time. I have opinions on them all and a list of the ones I really like.

I love the new path Hallmark has taken. The movies are no longer cookie cutter plots with different actors. Instead they have great writers giving us fun and unique stories.

Guiding Emily was a pleasant surprise. It's very well written and the actors hit it out of the park. I could feel her fear when the bandages were removed. I felt the hopelessness and loss with her. It is one of the best I've seen lately. The completely original storyline pulls you in and you feel emotionally connected and invested in characters. Of course it is a feel good romance but the journey was everything from tragic and heartbreaking to uplifting and fun. I loved the dog, Garth. I don't usually like when movies give animals human traits but I liked this a lot. I learned a lot about the difficulties of being blind too. The bathroom scene was painful to watch. I really enjoyed the romance that slowly grew and felt real and not rushed or forced. Well done everyone!

Love movies where the dogs can talk!

If this one doesn't have you crying halfway through, you have no heart.

Garth, the dog, and Emily are meant to be together. But first he must go through rigorous training and be tested.

Emily lost her eyesight and she is being tested too. Her friend and her lover leave her because of her accident (that he caused) she wants to quit her job. She wants to quit life.

But her friends from work, her neighbors, and her friends, friends help her through a horrible transition.

Very well written, and well acted story. Worth your time. Specially, if you like dogs.