Le bonheur en cadeau

Literally couldn't make it through 10 minutes....the acting was that terrible

This review is just my personal view but ...

How old is Bradley Hamilton?! He is certainly very good looking but he looks and behaves like he should be in high school (albeit he would be the cool high school kid). And we are supposed to believe his character, Ryan, is a high powered lawyer? He has the confidence level of a snail. He is so useless at his job that his hysterical pregnant sister has to have a public meltdown with Wes to help Ryan's career along. And we are supposed to believe that this Ryan character is on track to make partner? He doesn't look like he can tie his shoelaces without his sister's help! As much as we love sappy love stories, some things are too much of a stretch even for us!

Watching Ryan and Krista on their courtship journey was really uncomfortable because they both look underage and Sarah Troyer is a beautiful woman who should try smiling less because after some time, it is annoying and unreal. Her character is forward and she has no problem walking up to a stranger and asking him to dance which is fine but then she complains that the guy in her shower (!) was trying to be too forward? Can't be both sides of the coin gal.

Also, why wear heels she then had to take off to dance which for her was shifting her body weight from her left leg to the right leg - that wasn't charming, it was ridiculous. Wear heels only if you can actually wear heels.

Ryan tells her of his tragic childhood and her response is "Wow that's deep." Seriously?! She is simpering and a pretty awful actress who delivers her lines unconvincingly.

Ashley's crush on Wes is not real and pretty stupid. They haven't spoken since high school and I get that they barely spoke even back then! At the party, Wes comes up to Ashley to talk to her and she just stands there dreamy eyed and doesn't say a word. Of course they are in love right? No!

Krista and Ryan's relationship is also absurd ... they went on one (barely) date and she is already tagging him as "the one" - what kind of ridiculous thinking is that?? She knew so little about him that she didn't even know he is a lawyer. Girls, can you please both up your understanding of what it is to be in a relationship and stop with your childish notions which will only end in divorce! I don't think any family member would encourage a wedding proposal after their brother has gone only on 2 dates with a girl. Mental. Of course then on the 3rd date, they quarrel over petty and jumped to conclusions. But by all means, please propose and get married.

It is really tragic that the real male leads in the show got relegated to support roles - Stephen Huszar and Kevin McGarry - both were totally wasted in this show. We want more of them please! I hope both get cast as the romantic leads in more shows whilst Bradley Hamilton is given time to grow up. He could be Batman or Superman in say 15 years.

Stephen Huszar and Kevin McGarry on the other hand are perfect. Very handsome, very charming and their swoon qualities are rocket high! Their acting range is also amazing. They both are completely convincing in whatever role they are given from detective/mounty to powerful rich CEOs to ranch owners.

P.s how long was that poor woman pregnant for?? On Labour Day (ironic), she says she was 6 months preggers and in December she is STILL pregnant? That makes her FOURTEEN months pregnant and six months overdue!! NOBODY in the entire show realised this little fun fact?? And Ryan announced baby as coming two weeks early?? Hahahahaaaa hysterical!

The stars I have given are for Stephen Huszar and Kevin McGarry only.

Despite the veritable bevvy of hot guys in this one it really was quite wet. You start off thinking that the heart throb internet sensation is going to be the lead focus, but sadly it turns out to be the guy who not only resembles Zach Braff, but is actually even more awkward than that actors character in Scrubs and without that funny charm. He's just a bit meh (Not Zach, he's awesome).

You feel like it's all building up to something dramatic, but it just flows very generically.

Time either passes really quickly or the two leads go on more dates than we know about before the big finale that just doesn't make sense and seems to just fizzle out and :-p (Blows Raspberry).

The hot, hot, hot Brother-In-Law Darryl is excellent and would have been far better in the lead role. In fact, actually, swap Ryan and Wes and I think it would have been a far better film, because Stephen Huszar (Darryl) made a great expectant Dad. Ryan did not have the strength of character to be a big fancy solicitor, he's actually like what 12?? And still wet behind the ears and Wes was not humble enough to be an internet sensation set up by his son, because he's too modest to believe in his singing abilities. Yeah right whatever? The two sisters were also far too smiley and friendly with each other. My teeth started to rot, because they were so "Sweet".

I did manage to watch it all the way through, so it can't be that bad, but it will be a good few years before I would watch it again.

The acting is bad by almost everyone except possibly Sarah Troyer. Mishael Morgan, as the original girlfriend, Amber, is especially bad - so cliche. Bradley Hamilton is pretty timid for a big city lawyer and just doesn't match up well with Troyer.

The story has many silly situations that just don't make sense even if they are supposed to be humorous. Other situations that aren't about humor are clumsy also. Grown adults are acting too much like high schoolers even for this type of movie. There is a bit too much musical montage. The movie covers more than just the Christmas season, but that's OK. On the plus side, the premise isn't completely based on overused tropes.

The ending, though just as ridiculous as anything, is kind of cute and unique.



P.S. I noticed a lot of reviews with either very high or very low ratings and most had very short, generic text - almost all have reviews of no other movies.

Wow. I'm not sure which was worse, the acting or the writing.