Color My World with Love

This movie brought out so much. People with disabilities can function in this world. They may do it differently, but different can be good. This mom did everything right in raising her daughter. She loved her, encouraged her to develop her strengths and encouraged a healthy amount of independence. She is a mom and moms are and will always be concerned about their children.

This is such a nice break from Hallmark's usual movies that as of late have been the same thing over and over again.

I really enjoyed this.

'Color My World with Love' (2022)

Opening thoughts: The 2022 Hallmark Movies and Mysteries block was hit and miss, most were pretty good and more, 'North to Home', 'The Presence of Love' and 'Rip in Time'. It also had the disastrous 'Cut, Color, Murder', which was one of the worst 2022 Hallmark films. A year that was expectedly and understandably variable (like all the previous years). Hallmark have done many relationship and family drama and serious themed films before, often very well but sometimes have also missed the mark.

'Color My World with Love' is in the former category, but it not only did relationship and family drama and its serious theme more than very well it also actually bowled me over. It is for me by far the best 2022 Hallmark Movies and Mysteries film (and overall) and the best 2022 Hallmark film, as well as a very strong contender for the best film that Hallmark has ever done. No other film of theirs touched me or warmed my heart in this way, and no other was this relatable. Before 'Color My World with Love', this reviewer found flaws with all of Hallmark's films (in many only a few but in even more of them a lot of flaws), but 'Color My World with Love' is a rarity of finding next to nothing wrong.

Bad things: Perhaps it could have gotten going a little quicker but this is very nit-picky. Also can't quite place it on the same level as all the films that was given the best possible rating.

Good things: Everything else was done right and brilliantly. The acting is some of the best of any Hallmark film, with Erica Durance and Benjamin Ayres giving honest, heartfelt performances that felt very personal. Have not seen either of them either, plus their chemistry was beautiful. The acting standout is Lilly D. Moore, who moved me to tears as one of the most relatable characters in any Hallmark film. Am disabled myself (though not with Downs Syndrome), so the portrayal of Downs Syndrome and how it affects the family resonated with me a lot and not too far off my and my family's struggles. The characters came over as real people and were so easy to relate to.

Furthermore, the script sounds natural and has real sincerity throughout, it doesn't sugar coat the serious themes and there is nothing simplistic or over-generalised. Have seen both with portrayals of various disabilities elsewhere, so that was appreciated. How the adversity affects the family and the relationships also had depth and weren't simplified or too general. One feels the struggles with the film not shying away from how difficult it is for everybody involved rather than showing it from one person's perspective, but also the love and support.

The story is extremely touching and warms the heart, with everything done with a lot of honesty. The drama is not too soapy or over sentimental and it doesn't feel forced or dragged out. The subject is handled sincerely and sensitively, while not taking itself too seriously or coming over as melodramatic or over sappy. The production values are strong and had no issue with the placement or tone of the music.

Closing thoughts: Overall, one of the very few great Hallmark films.

9/10.

I loved this movie; the most compelling feature of this movie is the bravery exuding from both David and Lily. Their ability to adapt and thrive in a world that doesn't understand their abilities and can be limiting for them is remarkable.

Lily is just perfection from the very start. As Kendall, she is cheerful, 'can-do' minded, and very ready to grow up and experience life for herself. Not looking for love, Kendall is busy living her life when she meets a young man named David. He and Kendall immediately become friends, and this turns into love.

Kendall's mom, Erica Durance's character, is what I would say is the perfect mom. She really takes the best care of Kendall and exudes the feeling that she is beyond fortunate to have been blessed with her. Emma is her name, and she is cautious but confident. Like many moms, she is careful about Kendall's safety and more importantly, her heart. The scenes they share really drive home the idea that a great parent will do almost anything to make their child feel loved and safe.

Beverly is the grandmother of Kendall, and a giant proponent of allowing Kendall to explore her possibilities.

David DeSanctis plays Brad, Kendall's friend and eventual love interest. He is absolutely wonderful in how he balances the silly side of his humor with his very serious ability to love. His love for Kendall is unquestionable.

The movie is a fast watch; there are no boring moments, and also not very many tropes that you might expect. There is only one situation where the expected rejection toward Kendall appears, and that scene ends up being incredibly moving. I loved how this scene gives the watcher some closure, instead of sitting on the point that most people are unhelpful to those with special differences.

As a character, Beverly (Grandmother) was amiable, but it did seem to me that she was unnecessarily dismissive of the caution that Kendall's mom displayed. I understand the rationale that Hallmark was trying to convey - they were highlighting how over-protectiveness on the part of a parent can become the norm if it isn't 'checked', which can negatively impact Kendall and her mom as well. It was the somewhat condescending spirit that stood out to me from Beverly, and even as a non-parent, I found myself thinking that the liberties she tended to promote for Kendall were just not well-thought.

If I had more experience with those who have Down Syndrome, I might better understand the realities and risks that are present, but my observations for Beverly are based on my own potentially ignorant understanding.

All in all, an excellent and captivating movie.

I really don't have anything extra to add to the other reviews. They express most of my sentiments but I feel I need to add two more. One, folks with Down Syndrome do have disabilities, yet they are lovely and loving people. We so called normals should strive to be more like them. And two, Brad's t-shirts rock!! So many normals could use a dose sense of humor and simple happiness.

This was far and away the most substantive hallmark movie to date. Divorcées, special needs adults who are fighting for some autonomy, the emotions that come wife being a special needs parent and the extra level of letting go, even the dangers of conservatorships - I actually sat and watched the whole thing. There's a reason this has 8.4 stars instead of the usual fluffy hallmark 5.