We Love You, Sally Carmichael!

My wife and I were laughing out loud through the whole thing, and very few movies do that for both of us. The lead male and female are both incredibly good at being comically uncomfortable, and the quirky story line (contrived in a good way) with eccentric supporting characters gives them plenty of opportunity. It's set in Utah, and there are a couple of passing mentions of Mormon this or that, but in no way is it about being Mormon or poking fun at the culture. It's just a funny "what if a popular romance series were secretly written by a grumpy guy" yarn.

As in that other, more famous, movie the author is a guy who is having personal issues and awkwardness with other people. Both are writing romance novels and in this movie the writer has strong acceptance issues with what he is successful with. Both get to slam their own work, which is a big topic in this movie and a short joke in the other movie.

The names in that movie are not big, but the casting has been done well.

I enjoyed it.

My wife and I were looking for a pleasant, happy movie after dinner on Amazon streaming. This one caught our attention. It is NOT a Hallmark movie but pretty much follows the Hallmark approach. Two single strangers meet by coincidence, they hit it off pretty quickly, seem ideal for each other. Then a big wedge crops up, it looks like it will spoil the relationship, until they figure out how to repair it.

He is a writer, he has had some success under his own name, but his biggest success has come from using the pen name Sally Carmichael. Under that moniker he writes romance books about a merman. He hates the books, he hates being associated with them, but no one other than his publisher knows the truth.

She is the owner of a bookstore, plus a small local newspaper hardly anyone reads. She asks him to write an article, that is how they meet. They hit it off immediately.

Then something happens, he is exposed, and that becomes the rest of the story. It is pleasant entertainment with attractive actors playing pleasant characters. We enjoyed it, good entertainment.

I watched this because I am a Christopher Gorham fan. A am NOT a Hallmark channel fan and this reminded me of a pure Hallmark movie.

The homes they are in are literally spotless. And sterile. The only picture was of Jesus Christ. WTF?? Seems odd to not see photos in any home, let alone in all of them.

Even the soles of his shoes were spotless!! They matched his empty spotless kitchen.

I don't mind low budget films at all, but come on - use Command Strips and hang up some interesting art.

Also, talk about a movie that is NOT inclusive. This movie was definitely pure Utah Wonder Bread.

I know I'm going to get dinged, but it's the truth.

What is a writer and should he/she critisize other writers? I wouldn't say that the movie digs too deep on that subject matter, but at least it gets touched upon. Overall this is a romantic comedy or drama, depending on how you look at it, I reckon.

Having said that, especially the female lead (which you may know from a fantasy tv show about Grimm fairy tales) is really charismatic. Which if you already seen her before you know of course. The main male character is cast good I'd say, but I can see some people not really digging him or being on his vibe. Decent enough if romance is your thing movie wise ...