Plus One at an Amish Wedding

This was a better than usual UP TV movie. The scenery was so beautiful and the acting was fine. If I had to make a criticism it would be the wardrobe that April chose to wear to meet her boyfriend's Amish family. When she was packing her suitcase, her friend pointed out that the Amish dress differently and basically held up a spaghetti string shirt to say "don't wear this". But when they show April coming to Amish country she is wearing a cut in sleeveless top and pants. The next day she is wearing a dress, but it also has her shoulders exposed. April is an intelligent Doctor from New York, how did she miss that you don't wear this type of exposed clothes to Amish country? Other than that and the boyfriend's Mom's horrible attitude this was a fun movie.

In a word, lazy. Especially on the research. Have you ever spoken to an Amish person? A doctor? Those are your characters, do more than a Google search next time.

Stunning lack of attention to detail. So many goofed details. I've never seen celery that grows already cut.

Completely unrealistic portrayal of Amish culture. It was actually pretty cringy to watch. This is not how they act, not how they talk, and now how they live. Also, gigantic wardrobe fails. Completely glossed over the religious aspect of Amish life(which is 98% of Amish life).

Poorly acted. I've rarely been less convinced. Leading couple had no on screen chemistry, like watching siblings kiss, ugh.

Poorly written, seriously, the writers have chosen the wrong line of work. Please quit.

Better yet, all parties involved, quit. Find different professions. It won't bother you that much, you obviously don't care about your craft and have no talent for it anyway.

This is not the usual Sunday night on UpTV or like Saturday might on rival network Hallmark. There's no family business to save or protagonist up for a promotion if she closes a deal, or any of the other way too common story lines. (There is a rival old flame.) Instead we have a story about tension between family members and lifestyles and how that progresses and gets worked through among people who have a lot of love.

Sometimes a movie set in an Amish setting is hard on the Amish in general or some of their practices. Any faults of any of these Amish characters are just as likely in any ethnic group including the "English". Mom is rude and stubborn. She is mean to April but she is also overly demanding of her daughter. That never happens among the "English" (sarcasm). The mean rival ex girlfriend definitely could have been a woman likely to wear a sleeveless dress or pants as easily as the Amish attire. I find it interesting that this movie shows more similarities between the two groups than differences. Nor did this movie require the man who grew up Amish to compromise any principles if he decided to choose the "English" lifestyle. I really like how this was done.

April is a very likable character although I agree with another reviewer who questions why she would initially choose to dress in a way she had to know would be considered inappropriate by the Amish mom. I think perhaps it was to emphasize a later choice. Galadriel Stineman and Kevin Joy have the chemistry that you'd expect from a real-life married couple.

Real pleasant surprise here.

What I liked:

1) The whole premise was a lot of fun and well executed. I liked how they were fair in their film treatment of both "English" and Amish life.

2) Pretty believable plot all things considered. Yes, there were plot holes and times you had to otherwise suspend disbelief. But generally I was able to stay in the movie.

3) Good acting and character chemistry. The actors seemed to genuinely enjoy being in this film and it showed. On screen, the relationships did not feel forced.

4) Without spoilers, the resolution of the film was fun. Hallmark should take notes, because this is how you do it.

What I didn't like:

1) Sound was awful and inconsistent as others have noted. Also, while the cinematography was good, the color filtering was also not consistent.

Stopped watching half way through out of frustration. The music was so loud you could not hear the dialogue. April wasn't really a likable character. It was a waste. I picked this movie because I wanted a movie with no poor hard working damsel in distress getting saved by the secretly rich boy friend. Was glad to find a couple of equal standing. But no. This wasn't pleasant to watch. Even with the sound down and sub titles. I enjoy Hallmark movies because of the simple romances but am always frustrated that the female characters always need to be saved or taken care of by the guy or they have to some how change for the guy.