Plus One at an Amish Wedding

Any Hallmark movie is going to have the same tread: a cheesy screenplay, actors who are too methodical or over the top, and random musical interludes that barely intersect with the plot. But you know, I tolerated this picture just enough to finish it, even though I had no emotional attachment to the story nor did I find any of it funny.

I didn't care for the two main lovers in the slightest. I actually focused more on the main character's two siblings Levi and Rachel - they had a lot of spunk and were interesting to watch.

The fact that this Doctor ends up diagnosing the two women who dislike her the most (Naomi and Esther), anyone can see that from a mile away.

A sharper focus on Jesse's father or Jesse's prior relationship with Naomi may have given the film more life. Ultimately I thought the story was stagnant and mundane.

This is not the usual Sunday night on UpTV or like Saturday might on rival network Hallmark. There's no family business to save or protagonist up for a promotion if she closes a deal, or any of the other way too common story lines. (There is a rival old flame.) Instead we have a story about tension between family members and lifestyles and how that progresses and gets worked through among people who have a lot of love.

Sometimes a movie set in an Amish setting is hard on the Amish in general or some of their practices. Any faults of any of these Amish characters are just as likely in any ethnic group including the "English". Mom is rude and stubborn. She is mean to April but she is also overly demanding of her daughter. That never happens among the "English" (sarcasm). The mean rival ex girlfriend definitely could have been a woman likely to wear a sleeveless dress or pants as easily as the Amish attire. I find it interesting that this movie shows more similarities between the two groups than differences. Nor did this movie require the man who grew up Amish to compromise any principles if he decided to choose the "English" lifestyle. I really like how this was done.

April is a very likable character although I agree with another reviewer who questions why she would initially choose to dress in a way she had to know would be considered inappropriate by the Amish mom. I think perhaps it was to emphasize a later choice. Galadriel Stineman and Kevin Joy have the chemistry that you'd expect from a real-life married couple.

The two leads are married to each other and their previous Amish movie, Follow Your Heart, was one of my least favorite movies because it was unrealistic and rather disrespectful in its portrayal of the Amish.

This movie is so much better! I liked the script and the setting, and the leads were genuinely nice people throughout.

I found it amusing that there were no kisses during the movie between the leads, even though they were in love and had been dating for 6 months. No kisses allowed in these romance movies until the very end! It's a rule, I guess.

The Amish family was initially divided in their acceptance of April, as was expected, but everything turned out good in the end. No villains left. There was love and forgiveness. A sweet movie.

In a word, lazy. Especially on the research. Have you ever spoken to an Amish person? A doctor? Those are your characters, do more than a Google search next time.

Stunning lack of attention to detail. So many goofed details. I've never seen celery that grows already cut.

Completely unrealistic portrayal of Amish culture. It was actually pretty cringy to watch. This is not how they act, not how they talk, and now how they live. Also, gigantic wardrobe fails. Completely glossed over the religious aspect of Amish life(which is 98% of Amish life).

Poorly acted. I've rarely been less convinced. Leading couple had no on screen chemistry, like watching siblings kiss, ugh.

Poorly written, seriously, the writers have chosen the wrong line of work. Please quit.

Better yet, all parties involved, quit. Find different professions. It won't bother you that much, you obviously don't care about your craft and have no talent for it anyway.

Stopped watching half way through out of frustration. The music was so loud you could not hear the dialogue. April wasn't really a likable character. It was a waste. I picked this movie because I wanted a movie with no poor hard working damsel in distress getting saved by the secretly rich boy friend. Was glad to find a couple of equal standing. But no. This wasn't pleasant to watch. Even with the sound down and sub titles. I enjoy Hallmark movies because of the simple romances but am always frustrated that the female characters always need to be saved or taken care of by the guy or they have to some how change for the guy.