Le refuge de l'amour

It's a good love story. The villian within the story make you cringe with anger but it's worthwhile to watch the movie if you're a Hallmark movie fan.

Good, well known Hallmark actors within the movie.

I was really excited to see Chris McNally star in something besides the period piece When calls the Heart and I was not disappointed...he was great, as was the rest of this cast especially the dogs!

This is the story of a dog rescue center that specializes in military and police dogs, who loose their funding and are being evicted all in one swoop. Thankfully this is a beloved local charity and everyone seems to be trying to help out...except the new owner of their previous sponsor (who is just plain evil and clearly doesn't like dogs).

Jr Stockard the previous owner becomes close with both Bella and a military rescue dog named Indie.

This is a fun summer romance all around dogs and dog rescue. Very sensitive characters are involved in this romance and a search for some lost paperwork.

The main characters are adorable and have great chemistry...what's not to love? I recommend this one to all those dog lovers out there!

7.7 stars.

Although this movie feels heart-wrenching from time to time, and most of the story is sad, much happiness shines through. There is no lack of heartwarming, happy, tender, and cute moments. There are many angles to "A Tail of Love", and one thing for sure is the leads provide a keen sense of suffering, but not the usual sort of pain. JR and Bella share a love that cannot be fully realized because he is scheduled to be shipped off to Iraq, and she is losing her doggy rescue centre. They share a mutual love for a German shepherd named Indie who also needs a new home.

We can anticipate how this will end, but the profound emotional bond that these actors manifest toward each other is one of a kind. The strong desire they express, the basic need each has for the other's heart... I was touched with the portrayal of a mutual yearning each has for the other, more of a compassionate desire rather than a carnal one. This is a film to be enjoyed by a gentle soul.

The 2022 Spring into Love Hallmark films were decent, though none for me were great, with 'Just One Kiss' faring best. 'A Tail of Love' sounded really cute and dogs are very hard to resist. Have seen plenty of charming dog-oriented films. Have seen Brittany Bristow and Chris McNally in other things and have liked them both on the whole, though am more familiar with Bristow in supporting roles (i.e. The comic relief best friend). The 2022 Hallmark films were of variable quality, but only two really of the previous films were bad.

'A Tail of Love' is another decent Spring into Love film. It isn't my definition of great, not as great as has been said here, but it is sweet and charming despite the story not always convincing. When it comes to ranking Hallmark's 2022 output, 'A Tail of Love' is in the middle category rather than being in either the good or bad categories, while managing to be a good representation of Bristow and McNally. Anybody who loves dog will not be disappointed as well and there is plenty to like here.

Bristow and McNally are good in their roles, particularly McNally in a subtly charismatic and charmingly easy going performance as the more likeable and consistently written character. Wasn't always on board with Bristow's character, but she is still perky, looks lovely and does have charm as well. Actually personally thought their chemistry was nice and subtle, while not off the charts. The dogs are absolutely adorable and most of the supporting cast are solid.

Furthermore, it is a good looking film with the beautiful scenery standing out. The music is pleasant enough and fits. The script doesn't come over as too cheesy or sentimental, flows at least and sounds like everyday conversation. Enough of the story is light hearted and heart-warming.

Despite however the business stuff not always making sense and the ending feeling too unrealistically neat, actually did not buy McNally's character's final decision and he comes over as naive at this point considering how he was treated in the contrived and rushed feeling conflict. Bristow's character is not always likeable, coming over as too immature at times.

The villainous boss character is also out of kilter annoying and overplayed by Stephanie Moore. The pacing could have been tighter at times, with some draggy stretches, and everything with the severance was overused and repetitive.

Summing up, decent but unexceptional. 6/10.

A Tail of Love was an adorable film with many touching moments, acted wonderfully by the show's leads, Brittany Bristow and Chris McNally. In it, Bella owns a dog rescue that is in danger due to the land it sits on supposedly being a part of other land that is being sold. McNally, as JR Stockard tries to help Bella, the shelter's owner, keep this from happening and romance blossoms. The chemistry between McNally & Bristow was great and their performances both tender and nuanced. At one point, they had me crying. The supporting cast was great as well. Jane Eastwood as Nana was everything you'd want a wise older woman to be and. Humberly González filled her role well as Bella's friend. And Stephanie Moore did a terrific job as the show's villainous, repeatedly making me wish one of the dogs in the program would go bite her in the rear!

Yes, the story has some of the trademark Hallmark characteristics we have come to love, but it's different as well. The story isn't just the same old story recycled and it has a specialness to it that makes it endearing. You can count on a happy ending, but the understated and authentic performances make it stand out from the pack. In short, this movie delivers.

If you love dogs, if you are fan of Chris McNally and/or Brittany Bristow, you will not want to miss this sweet story.

Oh - and in case you're like me and want to make sure no animals are injured in a dog movie before you watch it, you should be fine with this one as well. I really enjoyed it and live Tweeting as it went on.