Cupid & Cate

OK, I admit, I DESPISED the first hour or so of this film. I taped the movie because I'm a sucker for romantic movies and I watched it later. The girl is loved by a handsome stranger, who is her true love, yet she's going out with a louse, she can't get along with her father, etc, etc, etc. Nothing we've never seen before, in other words.

But the film really starts to get good at about the midway point. Peter Gallagher, a very good actor from Hollywood, is absolutely charming in a role that might be a little bit of a departure for him. HE is everything good about the movie.

Unfortunately, Mary-Louise Parker (who was phenomenal in Fried Green Tomatoes) lacks charisma at times as his leading lady, but she, like the film, does seem to get better as the film goes on. I think a Kellie Martin or even a Melina Kanakaredes would've filled the role better. Mr. Gallagher and Ms. Parker have very little chemistry here. Supporting actors Philip Bosco, Joanna Going and Bebe Neuwirth all do an admirable job.

Not a bad telefilm, but Hallmark did better with Saint Maybe a couple of years back.

Besides having an irrelevant title, this Hallmark television movie suffers from bad structure. In the beginning, it feels like the traditional Hallmark romance story. Mary-Louise Parker plays Cate DeAngelo, a likable owner of a vintage clothing shop. Her committed relationship seems to be headed nowhere, so we expect this film will be about her journey to find real love.

But the story splinters into a few offshoots that concern more serious issues, effectively leaving the viewer with a narrative chaos.

Worst of all, there are sudden transitions and jarring changes in story that suggest bad editing. Unfortunately, this undermines some good acting. It feels like the integrity of the film was destroyed by some bad choices in post production. Perhaps these were made to reduce the running time, but the final version is no better than average.

How very thoughtful of CBS to finally create a masterpiece that comes very close to the standard set by 'Titanic'. Not only were each and every one of the cast extremely well acted, but there was not a single thing that I didn't like about the film. Funny, sentimental, heart warming and most of all, reflecting the values of human emotions, I can vouch that this beautiful film should have been given more justice by having it made to the cinemas.

Cate is the second youngest daughter of a family of four women, a deceased mother and a father whom Cate would love to do without. Engaged to a bubbling, almost clumsy, fellow born from an arrogant family, Cate faces the dilemma of the possibility of having to spend the rest of her life with someone whom she "might" not love. Cate has three problems; her father (whom she despises), her fiancee (whom she likes, but doesn't really love) and her in laws (arrogant, old farts). How wonderful it would be to just eliminate one of her problems...and that's when a young man (Peter Gallaghan) steps into her life and not only does he solve one of her problems, he washes the others away as well!

Not only are the emotions so well portrayed, but the reality of the film is so real, that you can almost feel as if you're part of the film. The emotions, the feelings and the themes are just so real, one that will never cease to amaze audiences just how true they are. Definitely one of the greatest romance films of the entire history of film and drama. That's the greatest praise any film (at least Romance ones) can receive...and you can judge for yourself how great an achievement that is!

What a delightful movie. I especially liked the interesting and rapid character development. Hallmark has already added this to is online store. And I have added it to mine collection. A heart is awakened and a passion for life restored in this video filled with hope, love and the power of commitment. When sisters play 'Cupid' and introduce Cate De Angelo (Mary-Louise Parker) to Harry Dietrich (Peter Gallagher), lives suddenly change. Watch as the couple faces life's trials and challenges together in this celebration of the human spirit.

This film is a grabber for the extreme attractiveness and likeability of the cast--Mary Louise Parker and Peter Gallagher in particular--but, sadly, fails to live up to its initial promise. The first half is strong, with good establishing scenes and dialogue. The viewer is drawn into the dilemma of lead character Cate--a beautiful young woman with a pleasant but clueless fiance--who is debating her future when a handsome lawyer comes into her life. Unfortunately, the plot loses its way later on, with dialogue and a plotline that seem so random you're unsure what the next odd turn will be. Still, Parker is a winning heroine and makes this mishmash almost worth watching.