Ordinary Things

Such a cute film! Friends since childhood Tyler and Dannie hatch a fake wedding plan to help her dying Mom. What could possibly go wrong?! This was a well packaged story with an easy to follow story and thankfully without a plethora of hard to follow side characters. The real magic of the film was in the two lead characters' playful interaction with each other as they navigate the effect of well intentioned lies and the natural consequences. The added aspect of faith in the story and God's promise to be with his people always (regardless of the good or bad outcomes) is a central theme and the characters had to simply step out in faith. Overall a delightful rom com with a difference and a positive message of redemption.

What a sweet fun movie. This film is like a warm blanket. You know where it's going to go but there's a comfort in that.

Ordinary Things starring Cristina Duchesne-Rivera as Dannie fakes her wedding with her childhood best friend Tyler played by Julian Simoes to please her mom's dying wish. However her mother played by Vanessa Rodriguez has a full recovery and the fake couple have to keep up the charade but plan on telling her the truth at a much anticipated birthday party.

This is a Christian film and even though I'm agnostic I really liked the positive message this film has because it's about finding your true love and relationships which is universal no matter your personal beliefs.

I personally love Hallmark films which is the vibe this has. Nothing too controversial and you end up rooting for the couple to stay together despite the road blocks they encounter when the truth comes out. That's the magic of this film.

Ordinary Things takes a familiar rom-com setup-friends faking a relationship-and twists it into something heartfelt and unexpectedly layered. What starts as a sweet deception to comfort a dying mother turns into a tangled mess when she makes a miraculous recovery, forcing Dannie (Cristina Duchesne-Rivera) to face a truth she never saw coming: maybe the lie wasn't a lie at all.

What makes the film work is how effortlessly it balances humor and sincerity. The chemistry between Duchesne-Rivera and Julian Simoes (Tyler) is never forced, making their shift from childhood best friends to something more feel earned. The comedy lands without trying too hard, and the emotional beats hit just right, avoiding over-the-top melodrama.

Director Micah Caronna keeps the pacing tight, ensuring the film never overstays its welcome, while Jennifer Tobler's script infuses the characters with warmth and authenticity. Vanessa Rodriguez also deserves a mention as Dannie's mother, adding both heart and humor to the mix.

At its core, Ordinary Things is about love in all its messy, complicated forms-romantic, familial, and even self-love. It's not trying to reinvent the genre, but it doesn't have to. It's simply a well-executed feel-good film that reminds us that sometimes, the best things in life aren't planned.

Ordinary Things is a sweet movie, beautifully shot. It starts out as a comic farce but takes twists and turns that venture into more complicated emotional territory. The story takes twists that are quite unexpected, keeping the viewer engaged and invested.

The use of music here is noteworthy. It's very easy, especially in indie film with its constraints, to use music that feels too heavy or inorganic. Yet all use of music here feels perfectly well earned.

The editing is also of note. The pacing is excellent, keeping the film feeling tight throughout. Therefore, the length feels earned - never too long.

"Ordinary Things" is a cute indie that would be a great movie-night choice. Definitely recommended.

I'm going to be quite candid. This is not the typical sort of movie I rent. However, I came upon it, read the storyline, watched the trailer and thought, why not. Boy am I glad I took a leap of faith. What a true delight of a movie. It hit me right in the heart and it contained humor at the same time. The movie was very touching but not over the top. I loved the actors. They were all so good and believable. The hospice care hit home for I went through that with my dad so it was all so relatable and this area was done so well. I loved the story! It was very well written. I enjoyed the pacing of the movie. My hats off to Director Micah Carona. There were no flat spots for me. The film moved along at a very nice pace. So for this little gem of a film it's a big thumb's up!