Harlequin - En quête de vérité

Okay, I admit it, I approached this from the perspective of a Nick Mancuso fan. I'd never read any book at all by Howard, let alone this one, so I have to take the movie at face value. Beautiful scenery, appealing heroine Rowan, nice moments between her and Nick. I took the movie more as a study of how he changes throughout -- he starts out so stiff and rigid (Ultra Businessman) and ends up relaxed and charming, particularly in their dessert scene. Was it a cinematic masterpiece? No. Was he meant to be a dashing hero? Um, no; he got knocked out cold the first time up to bat with the bad guy, and in the end the police did all the hard work. Bad guy (creepy and menacing up to that point) gave up too easily; Shari Belafonte was oddly stiff -- and there were a lot of things left unclear, like how Cannon's brother figured out what was up in the first place. It was lightweight, yes, but it was hardly hate-worthy. I did get pretty tired of Nick pushing up his glasses, but on the other hand, was highly intrigued by the Mars Bar dessert. Hey. Take what you can get. And Nicky, well, he's still got it. So if you've never read the book (I still haven't) and you like Nick... g'wan. Try it. Hardly hurts at all.

I was very excited when I saw Loving Evangeline was going to air on WE. It's one of my favorite Linda Howard books and I couldn't wait to see it 'live and in color'.

I only wish I would have come here first and found out how horrible this movie really was.

After watching this farce I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I realize that sometimes the movies have to take liberties with the books; but the writer, director and producers completely ruined a wonderful story.

In fact the movie is NOTHING like the book aside from the title and the lead characters' names. The acting was sub par, the storyline was ridiculous and the characters were NOWHERE near as great as their book counterparts.

Bottom line, don't rent this flick. Don't buy it. And if you see it on TV change the channel. Don't bother to waste your time.

Instead, get the book and see how the story's really supposed to go. You won't be disappointed.

This middling mystery set in a boating marina has a few twists and turns as a man investigates the death of his Brother. He meets a lady marina owner. Kelly Rowan is lovely as always but Nick Mancuso is too old to play her love interest. They have no chemistry and argue a lot.

Unlike most of the reviewers written here, I have not read the book, but it does sound as if it would be a very good book to read.

Thus my rather simple review. I'm not going to reveal anything within the movie, only adding my opinion.The filming was excellent, the sound was good but not great, I'm hard of hearing so I know. Even though the budget for this movie may have been on the low side, because after all, love movies may be loved by many but they don't normally bring in hit revenue. With these things considered I thought the movie was very good. It would seem to me when comparing a book (which lets the imagination run wild) to a movie most people would have some disappointments. But for me, I particularly liked the actors chosen, I thought they all did a good job, except for the so called VP of the company. I thought his acting was rather shallow or empty. The secretary was also very good. The story had a rather low point at the end, but considering it was a love story that is normal. The producer has to throw in disappointments etc. Tell me what you think. Enjoy!

Sorry it wasn't like the book, but by not having read the book, I wasn't restricted by what to expect or compare. It had a little of everything (scenery, plot, dessert scene) to keep a guy sticking around past a zillion commercials on WE to find out what happens in the end. "Why did you move from California to - here?" is a question only found in a typical Canadian TV production like this. But hey, less crying than most Lifetime movies offer. Also, when you consider what is out there in the theaters these days at $10 dollars a head (plus, all the other "necessary" expenses - food, soda, etc.) this is inexpensive fare for the eyes and the brain. The popcorn at home was fine. The author should have sued anyway.