Shifting Gears

As the title suggests, this Hallmark romance has an automotive theme. Luke (Tyler Hynes) and Jess (Katherine Barrell) work on cars for competing garages. The two of them have a romantic history, but Jess now prefers cars over men, because they never disappoint. Emotions between them are further complicated by the fact that the two garages, owned by their fathers, also have a deep history.

The chemistry between the two leads is not off the charts, but the story really leans into the auto restoration contest that Luke and Jess enter. And Jess's father really needs the prize money to bail their garage out of existential financial problems. Still, as the contest goes on, old feelings are reignited, and Jess begins to allow Luke into her heart.

As always in a Hallmark film, a conflict arises in the eleventh hour, throwing a wrench into their love affair. But the viewer knows that love will overcome in the world where romance wears the crown.

In the final minutes, there is a resolution that promises not just a reconciliation, but also a brighter future. Even grease monkeys deserve love in Hallmark land.

Sorry to say that the film was not what i hoped.... Like " An unexpected christmas" or "Time for him to come home" and some other Tyler Hynes movies, that pulls you in make you feel whatever they are feeling makes you want to watch again and again, you laugh and cry with them. That what makes you want to watch a film.

The story far from capturing you, you feel left out, the male wardrobe was very poor, if you go back and check the old films you will see the balance and tasty combinations. Between the actors difficult to feel the electricity. I am not an expert but i watch with my being all the films. Film must have a soul if not, actors cannot do a lot. I like both the actors but because i like them cannot say that i like the film.

Hope to see Tyler Hynes in better written screenplays, scripts he can act that we know.

In my over 2000+ reviews here (ouch,) I have repeatedly discussed the Great Canadian X-Mas Movie Factory, and the Great Canadian Rom Com Machine. Canada's film sector was jump-started decades ago based on changes to their tax code. Who would have imagined that, half a century later, their film output is best known for Santa Claus and soap operas? This one checks all the boxes, the dialog is adequate, and the story is predictable but pleasant. The two oddities are ... (1) viewers checking out the film because of the car angle will be disappointed. Most of if not all of the technical bits are complete nonsense. Memo to producers -- next time, spend $20 on a technical script consultant. And (2) Canadian Tyler Hynes has an edge to his acting which he keeps well hidden because his agent has him doing mainly rom-coms. But one gets the feeling there is an action hero hiding in there somewhere, something he should explore when possible. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

Tyler Hynes is the best leading man that Hallmark have on their books hands down.

With his droll sarcastic humour, he has the ability to make even the cheesiest line or the most wooden leading lady look good.

He can also elevate thinner material into looking better than it actually is, and that's a skill he has to utilise here, as 'Shifting Gears' relies heavily on him to drag it through.

It's not a film that deviates too far from the standard Hallmark format, and while that's comfortable, it needed perhaps another extra element to elevate it a little more from being just 'ok'.

Was the car show broadcasting live or was it being pre-recorded? The film never seems to know either.

Overall, Hynes manages to make the most of a lesser project.

Jess Barro (Katherine Barrell) works at her family's garage and teaches car maintenance to other women. They have fallen on hard times. A TV producer offers her a spot on a $50k competition show. She is surprised when her ex Luke Childs (Tyler Hynes) becomes a last-minute replacement contestant.

I love Barrell, She has a happy cute comedic style. She should be good at doing these types of light Hallmark rom-coms. Tyler Hynes is fine although I wish that he is a couple of inches taller. Maybe he can wear lifts to level up to Barrell. All the car repairs and TV competition stuff is a little less. Simply put, I wouldn't watch this TV show if it's a real thing. This is fine.