Loving Evangeline

I can't even tell you how horrified I was to watch this awful movie. The book and the movie are NOTHING alike. The secondary characters and even the plot are not from the book. If someone truly wanted to make an awful movie, fine, but why use the title and lead characters from Ms. Howard's book when the story is completely different? There is no Grant Shaw in the book, Grant Shaw is the actor from Melrose Place. And who is Mrs. Beacham? She is not in the book, either.

Anyone who has read this book and may be tempted to watch this piece of cheap filmmaking, don't bother. It is not worth it. Even if it wasn't based on a Howard book, this movie is not worth your time. Paint your nails, hammer some nails, eat some nails, anything other than watching this drivel makes more sense. And I hope Ms. Howard has more sense than turning over her work to producers who will butcher it.

I love Linda Howard's books, (although I found 'Loving Evangeline' less likeable than any of her others, and the lead character Robert Cannon an unredeemable rake) but as the previous reviewer said, this movie is crap. There is absolutely no similarity between the book and the movie. Even in it's own right this movie has a total lack of redeeming qualities. I feel like Ms. Howard deserves an apology from the producers for doing such a thorough hack job of her book. If you have the option pick up another Howard book instead of watching this nonsense.

Sorry it wasn't like the book, but by not having read the book, I wasn't restricted by what to expect or compare. It had a little of everything (scenery, plot, dessert scene) to keep a guy sticking around past a zillion commercials on WE to find out what happens in the end. "Why did you move from California to - here?" is a question only found in a typical Canadian TV production like this. But hey, less crying than most Lifetime movies offer. Also, when you consider what is out there in the theaters these days at $10 dollars a head (plus, all the other "necessary" expenses - food, soda, etc.) this is inexpensive fare for the eyes and the brain. The popcorn at home was fine. The author should have sued anyway.

The first thing I must say is that I have not read the book so I can only go by what I saw on the small screen and at this point a further introduction is necessary. Loving Evangeline appears to be one of twelve Mills and Boon/Shilloute romance novels that have been brought to the small screen. I have seen 10 and these are:- Another Woman, A change of place, The awakening, Broken Lullaby, Hard to forget, The Waiting game, This matter of marriage, Diamond Girl,Recipe for revenge and Loving Evangeline. So to get the best out of these movies or to see the worst you must view them in the context of this being a romance novel brought to the screen. It is a pity if these movies do not follow the course of the original book but still view it as a mills and boon brought to film nonetheless. So how does loving Evangeline rate? Well I liked it! Out of the ten that I have watched I would put it at position 5 and to explain this I will run down what is needed to bring a mills and boon/shilloutte romance to film. First of all the couple must look the part the man must be strong and handsome and the woman beautiful and their must be the chemistry! The background story must not overshadow the romance so to overcome this our couple should be seen together in 70% of the film. The Mills and Boon man must have integrity. For example in Broken Lullaby there was a seen where our heroine was shot at now she was understandably upset and as a result got close to our Mills and Boon man and one thing led to another if you get my drift. The Mills and Boon man should have checked with the lady and made sure it was okay to proceed but in this case he just got down to business. Points lost. Another thing that is essential for a Mills and Boon man is that if he is going to get into a fight he should win. In broken Lullaby and Loving Evangeline both mills and boon men got into fights and lost!! Finally there must be a marriage resolution at the end of the film. Loving Evangeline did not have the marriage resolution and I would not have pegged our hero as a typical Mills and boon man but the film did keep me going because of the competency of the actors and a none too taxing storyline so I did like it!! Now if you are wondering what my top five films are I shall tell you. 5th Loving Evangeline. 4th Recipe for Revenge. 3rd Another woman. 2nd The Awakening and my number one Mills and Boon film is DIAMOND GIRL. I managed to get nine of these films via ebay at extremely good bargain basement prices so you could check out all ten and even get the ones that I have not seen yet and these are Treacherous Beauties and At the Midnight Hour.

I was very excited when I saw Loving Evangeline was going to air on WE. It's one of my favorite Linda Howard books and I couldn't wait to see it 'live and in color'.

I only wish I would have come here first and found out how horrible this movie really was.

After watching this farce I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I realize that sometimes the movies have to take liberties with the books; but the writer, director and producers completely ruined a wonderful story.

In fact the movie is NOTHING like the book aside from the title and the lead characters' names. The acting was sub par, the storyline was ridiculous and the characters were NOWHERE near as great as their book counterparts.

Bottom line, don't rent this flick. Don't buy it. And if you see it on TV change the channel. Don't bother to waste your time.

Instead, get the book and see how the story's really supposed to go. You won't be disappointed.