Una stella per il ballo

High school boy makes internet "promposal" to latest Hollywood super-starlet and because of a recent embarrassing break-up in her private life, she accepts it to get publicity. This sounded like it was going to be lame and unappealing with few interesting possibilities. And the opening scene didn't help. The break-up was loud and very public occurring on the red carpet for some event. Right away it looked like two things were going to be true of this movie. I expected bad acting all the way through based on the acting in the break-up. And I expected the starlet to be arrogant and obnoxious. The latter was only partially true. At times she was all about me, me, me as she took over the prom decorations. At other times, she was open and vulnerable as she got to know Mr. Walsh. She does seem to care about the people around her at the local high school. The other characters are appealing (except for the obvious villain). This is the third time I've seen Bailee Madison recently. The adorable but sometimes incorrigible kid has grown up into a nice young lady. The final outcome of the story was pretty obvious from early on, but I will let you guess as you watch. There are a few interesting scenes and developments to keep the story moving.

While I enjoyed the plot of the movie, it felt oddly rushed, and the ending was quite sudden without much clear closure as to where the characters' futures were heading.

The first 45 minutes was difficult, and we were ready to turn it off, but it then got marginally better and we watched it to the end. Guess I'm used to more mature movies from Hallmark so this one didn't grab us.

A tribute to the films of John Hughes, "Date with Love" is loosely based on his film "Some Kind of Wonderful". Unfortunately, it does not live up to that 1987 teen classic. Especially in the early going, the writing is uninspired and the acting is average.

But I must admit that the lead actress, Shenae Grimes-Beech, who plays Hollywood actress Alex Allen, grew on me. In the end, she gives a charming performance as the star who accepts a proposal to a high school prom as a publicity stunt. Also notable are Milli Wilkinson as Devyn, younger sister of high school student David, and Bailee Madison as Heidi Watts, the best friend of David.

While the parallels of this film to "Some Kind of Wonderful" kept me entertained, that novelty did not elevate this TV movie. Also, a lack of chemistry between the two pairs of love interests dampened the film's appeal.

My main reason for seeing 'Date with Love' was Andrew Walker. He is to me one of the best and most consistent Hallmark regulars and it is not hard to see why he is so popular, he has been in some misfires and has had leading ladies not up to his level but he has also been in good films and had good female leads. Also did like the premise quite a bit, which was cute, and Bailee Maddison is always watchable. The mixed reviews here dampened expectations a little though.

'Date with Love' left me with very mixed feelings and it was a rather uneven film, with a first half an hour that makes one want to bail but it does get quite a bit better. It is not one of the worst 2016 Hallmark films, not like 'Unleashing Mr Darcy' or 'Ms Matched' for example, but it is not one of the best like 'Love in Paradise' and 'Summer Villa' again for example. 'Date with Love' is watchable, but in my mind only for a one time watch rather than holding up to repeat viewings.

Walker is the best thing about it, he is subtly charismatic and charming with natural and witty comic timing. Maddison is perky and seemed to be having fun too. Shenae Grimes-Beech did have charming moments when she eased into the role. The chemistry between the three leads doesn't come over as stiff or distant, it was like they enjoyed working together.

The production values are lovely, the photography and scenery being easy on the eye. The second half on the whole was amusing and cute with a nice energy. Some of the soundtrack is pleasant.

However, there are things that work against it. The first act is pretty painful, am another person who thought it too farcical which went beyond the limit of overdone-ness. The dialogue is often very cheesy and stilted early on and the pace doesn't have the same energy the second half had. The film on the whole is formulaic and contains little original or fresh, things mapping out pretty much what one expects.

Also found the ending rather rushed and abrupt. Grimes-Beech did take a while to relax, with her looking rather uncomfortable and over compensating in the first act. The worst performance comes from Millie Wilkinson, who has an annoying character and really overdoes the brattiness.

Concluding, watchable but very average. 5/10.