Shifting Gears

Sorry to say that the film was not what i hoped.... Like " An unexpected christmas" or "Time for him to come home" and some other Tyler Hynes movies, that pulls you in make you feel whatever they are feeling makes you want to watch again and again, you laugh and cry with them. That what makes you want to watch a film.

The story far from capturing you, you feel left out, the male wardrobe was very poor, if you go back and check the old films you will see the balance and tasty combinations. Between the actors difficult to feel the electricity. I am not an expert but i watch with my being all the films. Film must have a soul if not, actors cannot do a lot. I like both the actors but because i like them cannot say that i like the film.

Hope to see Tyler Hynes in better written screenplays, scripts he can act that we know.

As the title suggests, this Hallmark romance has an automotive theme. Luke (Tyler Hynes) and Jess (Katherine Barrell) work on cars for competing garages. The two of them have a romantic history, but Jess now prefers cars over men, because they never disappoint. Emotions between them are further complicated by the fact that the two garages, owned by their fathers, also have a deep history.

The chemistry between the two leads is not off the charts, but the story really leans into the auto restoration contest that Luke and Jess enter. And Jess's father really needs the prize money to bail their garage out of existential financial problems. Still, as the contest goes on, old feelings are reignited, and Jess begins to allow Luke into her heart.

As always in a Hallmark film, a conflict arises in the eleventh hour, throwing a wrench into their love affair. But the viewer knows that love will overcome in the world where romance wears the crown.

In the final minutes, there is a resolution that promises not just a reconciliation, but also a brighter future. Even grease monkeys deserve love in Hallmark land.

The leads were not a good match and had no chemistry. The female lead was not even likeable, much less appealing. I didn't buy their relationship for a second and am not sure why she was cast in that role. When they were skating they looked silly. I think that Julie Gonzalo would have been a much better choice as she and Tyler Hynes have great chemistry together. I also didn't buy the guy playing Tyler Hyne's father. The get to know you segment on the tv show was super cringey even for a Hallmark movie. I actually think just about any other female in the Hallmark universe would have been a better fit for the female lead than the one they cast.

Tyler Hynes is the best leading man that Hallmark have on their books hands down.

With his droll sarcastic humour, he has the ability to make even the cheesiest line or the most wooden leading lady look good.

He can also elevate thinner material into looking better than it actually is, and that's a skill he has to utilise here, as 'Shifting Gears' relies heavily on him to drag it through.

It's not a film that deviates too far from the standard Hallmark format, and while that's comfortable, it needed perhaps another extra element to elevate it a little more from being just 'ok'.

Was the car show broadcasting live or was it being pre-recorded? The film never seems to know either.

Overall, Hynes manages to make the most of a lesser project.

6.8 stars.

Whenever Hallmark does one of these reality tv show attempts, it usually falls flat. I can't recall many that worked for me. Something about how they incorporate the elements of a reality tv show (in this case it's competition show about remodeling classic cars and showing off auto mechanic skills), comes off as really cheesy and fake.

This woman is supposedly the best mechanic around and helps her dad run his shop. The man is played by Hynes and he does the same schtick that is displayed in almost half of his roles: bad boy, biker, blue-collar, cool as a cucumber...In this story he supposedly wronged her many years back, but he feels bad and she has some minor struggles dealing with it. But she seems to get over it pretty fast. Of course they are both contestants in the competition.

This is a slightly below average attempt for me. It's unfortunate, because I really like both actors a whole bunch, but the chemistry is non-existent. Oh well, can't win 'em all.