Always and Forever (TV 2009)

Director:

Kevin Connor

Writer:

Riley Weston

Stars:

Rena Sofer, Dean McDermott, Barbara Eden

Cast

Cast overview:
Rena Sofer	...	Grace Holland
Dean McDermott	...	Michael Foster
Barbara Eden	...	Mary Anderson
Max Gail	...	Bill Anderson
Rob Boltin	...	Phillip Walsh
Hillary Tuck	...	Rachel Sanchez
David Lascher	...	Gabe Sanchez
Colton Haynes	...	Scott Holland
Jonathan Chase	...	James Mitchell
Katie Walder	...	Lindsay Taylor
Charles Walker	...	Father Millican
Lyn Alicia Henderson	...	Susie
Christopher Warren	...	Jonesy (as Christopher O'Neal Warren)

Storyline

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 October 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Al cuor non si comanda

Filming Locations:

Moorpark, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Larry Levinson Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

What happens when past and present collide

It's Saturday evening of Memorial Day weekend, and there's "nothing" on TV, so I'm filling up on Hallmark movies. Most Hallmark movies, in my experience, fall into the 7-8 range (on a scale of 10), i.e., above average. This is the first one I recall ever having rated below average.

The summary line I've supplied for this review is not my own; it's a line from the movie, and it could well have been the tag line, if there were one. Finally, the one previous review here summarizes the plot sufficiently that I can skip revisiting that.

So much for background.

My first problem with this film was seemingly incompatible casting. I like Rena Sofer, but I wouldn't say that she's in my top tier of favorites. And up to now, I've never been all that impressed with Dean McDermott; but then, this is the first time I've seen him in a lead role. Therefore, I had to try hard to wipe away everything I'd ever thought about him, and to see him through fresh eyes. Their pairing, therefore, as the lead romantic couple, seemed rather incongruous, as "Philip" appeared to be a much better match for "Grace" than did "Michael".

Secondly, the whole execution seemed rather superficial, even for a "formula" film. The best thing about the script is its self-realization that some of the characters are behaving like teenagers, not adults. Unfortunately, this observation inadvertently applies to some of the actors as well.

Supporting players worth seeing in their roles here include the ever-reliable Barbara Eden, Jonathan Chase and, particularly, Hillary Tuck. And by the end, I even warmed up a bit to the loving leads.