Lease on Love

7.8 stars.

'Lease on Love', 'From Chicago With Love', another movie title modification? If you've seen one title change with Hallmark, you seen a thousand. I mean why do they keep changing the titles of their movies? Who does this? Is this a common thing in Hollywood, or are they stealing titles and then getting called out on it, or someone is filing lawsuits, or what? I'm confused. Well, there goes over half of my review complaining about these title fiascos. I think a better title would be 'Engaged to be Engaged', or 'Creative Engagement'.

The story has been done, but this is a very accomplished way to tell it. Both actors seem to work well together. I'm convinced of their mutual affection, and let's be honest, that's half of what makes a good romance.

She is a very talented assistant to a successful makeup artist with a massive social media following, and he is an advertising executive. She is struggling with confidence issues, but he appreciates her value and feels she is the most amazing woman he's ever known. Nobody around her seems to realize how beautiful, charming, and intelligent she is except her landlord and this new guy. Her current fiance and her current boss are clueless. She comes to realize her true worth and we get to witness her subtle transformation into a radiant and self-confident person. But let's not forget half of the plot is about the man and how he brings out the best in her time and time again.

This is a proper love story about a man who helps a woman realize she is with the wrong people. Lease on Love' is surprisingly entertaining for such a repetitive and unoriginal story. You will like this movie for nothing other than the fact these actors do it justice.

The premise is a slight twist on the fake fiancé. In this case, Poppy is already engaged, for real. Her real fiancé is pretty easy going and accepts her going through with the deception.

Milo is arrogant, yet not overbearing. You almost appreciate his arrogance. Meanwhile Ingrid is a total narcissist and a caricature of an influencer. Normally I would dislike the way Ingrid is overplayed, but I found it at least a little funny. The same goes for Wanda. Tony is also overplayed, but again it works for comedic effect.

I loved Poppy. She has the right mix of humility and competence. She's able to juggle Milo, Ingrid and Joel, at least for a while. She keeps a calm demeanor while panic is building inside. Rebecca Liddiard does a great job.

The chemistry between Rebecca Liddiard and Dan Jeannotte is excellent. There is some great sparring well into the movie. Soon the viewer sees the secret looks by one for the other. The panic mode overtakes the romance and ramps up the humor. The tension builds, but it's benign tension. It's well done. The acting is good. Timing is good. Dialogue is good.

There is a very good scene between Joel and Milo. It is another thing that is well done. And it perfectly sets up the ending. The scene between Milo and Poppy which follows is equally good and well written. And it's not obviously predictable.

What's with Liddliard's overly rosy cheeks that appear frequently. Is that good makeup?

I have watched and reviewed so many Hallmark style rom/coms that I have no idea how many. Easily hundreds if you count Christmas ones. They get stale after a while. They run together. Overused plot lines become quick turn offs. That means it's significant that I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and will definitely watch it again.

I actually liked this movie. GAC's writing got better with this one. Ingrid was over the top, but the other characters fit well. I especially liked the landlord's relationship with Poppy. He seemed to genuinely care for Poppy. Her fiance was good, but when he still wanted to have 'the boys over to play over spending time with her, that was a no brainer. The fact that he didn't seem to want to move forward with the wedding plans said alot about his commitment. The two leads didn't have alot of chemistry, but they made it work. You could tell he cared for her early on. He never took advantage and considered her feelings from the beginning. All in all, I really liked it.

The first temptation is to critic it very hard. Many motives, not the best story, acceptable acting. But it is a film of details, from the beautiful house to the relation with landlord to the game of appearences and the eccentric boss.

And , sure, the bizarre option for the dark stranger , the fiancee being a better choice , including for his Peter Pan syndrome aura.

It is difficult to say than I like it but the small solutions, more crumbs putting together different scenes, working not exactly bad , save the film , maybe again the vain effort of the main actors.

Something like atmosphere of Christmas in the birth house, after a long time return defines this film and propose not the worst impressions about it.

Despite what some say, I thought this movie is well written, had great acting, funny and good plot (what more do you need? Go watch it already and see for yourself).

If you need a relaxing, somewhat sappy movie with a little flair for puns and a tiny bit of real life drama, this is it!

It feels like a sweet small vacation from reality. I watched it twice back to back. Great costume design and music too with a satisfying ending. My husband even laughed a couple times with me. There is nothing I would change about this movie.

There were some pleasant surprises when the main actor calls out the narcissist boss . And the two rivalling men actually talk to each other.