6.9 stars.
I find this third installment of the Danube's not refreshing or authentic. I see a bit more of the reasons why the side story is included in all of these Danube films, but that doesn't mean it's a great addition. However, it's not a bad movie in and of itself (aside from the weird Danube continuation aspects), so I'll give it 7 stars. The kisses were good, I'll give it that.
The older woman who basically lives on this cruise ship is sort of a person of fate. She falls in love in every movie, but declines to take her love(s) to the next level. It's a bit of an odd concept. I wonder if they are making her out to be an angel of sorts, and it's her job to help the leads find their true love, all the while sacrificing her own in the process, because maybe she is atoning for something from her past. I don't know, but she keeps saying she must see the world, as if she has a mission, but she's on this particular cruise over and over, and this cruise does not equate to seeing the world. And so that is what I'm left with after seeing three of these films.
This film features the usual romance, this time instead of a prince it's a celebrity. He's an American born actor who is about to hit the big-time. His career will explode if he caters to his fans on this cruise. He needs to rub shoulders, show that he loves his fans and is not some sort of recluse. He's been having difficulties acclimating to being a big star.
She is also an American, a publicist. She's recently lost her job. We also have the female cruise director, or concierge, or whatever you call that person who greets people onto the ship and takes care of all the official stuff. She is in all of the Danube films. She always knows one of the leads. She invites her "bestie", the lead female, to help the movie star and be his temporary publicist on the cruise. Again, you see the whole fate aspect.
And so I conclude this river cruise is considered a cruise of fates. Ok, we get it, and so it's just a little fantasy to sprinkle on the romance. But the side-show act detracts from the depth of the primary romantic theme, and what remains is half of an entertaining love story and half a circus. The second film was the best so far, this one is second best, the first one was well below average. I would say go ahead and watch them all, but don't expect much, except the second one has a few good moments.
