Love on a Limb

I have to agree with the previous reviewer (smithduke) re his comments on Ashley Williams in this title. She 'shouts' her lines in all her movies, is manic in her style of acting, and this one is no different. The Directors she works with need to calm her down.

The film has a good storyline, and is held together by the measured and quiet acting method of the other actors, particularly Trevor Donovan.

Very Cute movie! I like reading the other reviews to see if anyone saw the same glaring problems that I did. But no, most reviewers talked about Ashley Williams over acting and her Cheshire Cat grin. I personally like her. Her bubbling over happiness and over the top attitude is infectious.

One reviewer compared this to "Parks and Recreation". Ashley Williams to another outspoken blonde (Amy Poehler) Ashley Williams name was even Amy- only spelled different- as a possible nod to Amy Poehler? I thought that was a very creative review. Probably spot on.

The glaring problems I saw, and dismissed (because this is Hallmark, for heavens sake and not to be taken seriously.) But in one scene she says they would be holding the fall event 'next week'. How did they get all those pipes rearranged above ground and painted, in one week? And wouldn't that expose the pipes to all sorts of harm? Freezing, or vandalism? Hallmark is pie in the sky- escapism. Period.

But I really liked this movie, because of Ashley Williams, and Trevor Donovan. His quiet ways complimented her boisterous ways. Marilu Henner was perfect in every way.

Marilu Henner's portrayal of a mother caught between protectiveness of her daughter and living with her own loss, was intriguing. Ashley Williams as the daughter is convincing as a do-gooder tilting at windmills to run from her own pain. Also, the intertwining relationships of a small town are fun to watch.

Aimie Roarke (Ashley Williams) is a tireless do-gooder at the town's Park & Rec department. Her mother Zee (Marilu Henner) is struggling with debt after the death of her husband two years earlier. The arrival of hunky landscaper Kyle Sorenson (Trevor Donovan) brings not-good news as the mayor plans to cut down Aimie's beloved old tree in the town square. She decides to chain herself to the tree.

This is a Hallmark movie with two beautiful people and not a compelling story between them. There is never in doubt about the romance and they don't have much of a hurdle. The mayor is the villain and Kyle is not really an obstacle. Quite frankly, the mayor is the worst villain possible. It's not that he has an evil plan. He just doesn't want to deal with her. He's like a bureaucrat without a brain. As a mayor, one would figure he would be interested in those voters backing Aimie. Other than the father story, there isn't much emotional weight. Williams is relying solely on her Cheshire Cat smile. If it could invent some better villainy, the story may be salvaged. What if it turns out there are no pipes. What if it turns out to be a plan to cut down the tree to make a parking space for himself or turn it into a building named after himself. It's hard to root for this movie when the solution is so simplistic and the hurdles are so low.

I enjoyed the storyline and most of the characters except for the lead actress. Ashley Williams is probably my least favorite Hallmark actress. She's far too chipper and her gigantic smile seems so fake. Despite my dislike of her, the movie still pulled together well.