The Dog Lover's Guide to Dating

I was looking forward to seeing this. Rated it an 8 out of 10. This is a low budget movie. Not much in the way of costumes or expensive sets. The premise was funny and the main actors were very good. The female lead was gorgeous, witty and articulate. The male lead was funny, but I had trouble understanding him in a few places because his voice was so low. The secondary actors were just okay. The dogs could have stolen the show but they were just props. I watched it twice just to make sure that I was being fair with my review. I am. One last thought, the lady the main male character is pursuing to date plays an outstanding self oriented, selfish designer who does a great job of being in love with herself.

After being underwhelmed by Hallmark Christmas movies this year, I wasn't expecting much out of their first post-Christmas movie. I was wrong. Very wrong. This movie was well written, acted, and directed. It was thoughtful and never over the top and kept my attention for two hours. I thought the lead actress, Rebecca Dalton, did an especially good job in this very likable movie. Come to find out, she is the wife of one of my favorite Indy Car drivers, James Hinchcliffe. I think it was a very watchable movie that any dog lover will find enjoyment. Hallmark really did a nice job on this movie and I look forward to other new movies in 2023.

8.1 stars.

This is simply a good romantic comedy on the Hallmark channel. The lead female is fun, beautiful, a good actress, and charismatic on the screen. The male lead I've seen several times in various other Hallmark movies this year (I've watched nearly 200 of them). He will get the ladies watching this movie, and the female lead caught my attention for sure. There isn't much to say but that it entertains where it needs, provides good romantic chemistry, and the acting is good all around. There isn't one person that can't act, although I can detect a few amateurs. The lead female's younger sister is an old soul, way beyond her years with wisdom and advice, which seemed a bit unbalanced. The male lead's girlfriend was the most realistic character of them all, being that she was nice, but potentially a snob, and yet wasn't snobbish at all. She knows they were using each other for the glam aspect of dating, and she truly cares for him, and he for her, even though they aren't meant to be. Good writing, even though the whole script is more along a YA level. I still enjoyed it for being a cute romance. There is a lot of witty banter, good sarcasm, a nice detour from the usual drab conversations on Hallmark. The dogs were a nice addition, and they were also very cute and cuddly, and they always add an irresistible dimension to any film. If in doubt, throw in some puppies.

It wrapped up neatly, all is happily ever after. This is a good summertime watch in the beach house after taking a long dip in the bay. Nothing makes you more famished than a swim, and this film seems to "feed" off the appetite of people, there is a side focus on food, and I bet this movie might make you hungry. Just a hunch. Grab the doggies, order a pizza, or some sandwiches, and cue up 'The Dog Lover's Guide to Dating'. You won't be disappointed.

I like almost all decent Hallmark movies and I am almost always grading on the "Hallmark curve" not expecting perfection but a nice watch. But, I do expect the movie to not insult the audience with childish slapstick and stupid lines. I only watched half because I just couldn't take it anymore so take that confession for what it's worth. It is exceedingly rare for me not to finish a Hallmark flick.

As usual I blame the writing and not the actors who are just doing their job with that they are given. The leads were fine, I have no issues with their performances, but by trying to be way too cute, obvious and bland the writers ruined the story.

It wasn't the best film in the world but it wasn't the worst ever This film has good messeges but they are delivered to straight forward and they make them feel stupid

The actors are doing a very good job but the filming wasn't the best

Things would come out of nowhere and the way the scenes were changing were just a simple black screen => next scene

It just had some non copyrighted music, nothing special

I liked the whole dog trainer theme of the movie but everything else was "meh"

My favorite character was probably Radar, Alex's dog/partner I wouldn't rewatch this, but I will admit I am not the biggest romance movie fan.