Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone (2021 TV Movie) User Reviews

Enjoyable

[Jackbv123 · 8/10 · 29 September 2021]

This is a romantic story about a separated couple being shepherded back together by a supposed 16 year old niece. For me, the niece Gemma was the highlight, but the reconciliation story was sweet also.

Acting is good. There is chemistry between Mía Maestro and Tom Everett Scott. Despite the separation, Gemma's line that they are hopelessly in love (or just hopeless) is accurate even from the beginning. Emilia's character has been too much taken for granted and she needed far more comfort from her husband through their failed efforts at conceiving a child. That's where Gemma comes in. All of this is laid out fairly early in the story.

The general outcome is predictable as is Gemma's role in it. Even so Ella Ballentine's energy as Gemma, and how she infects Benedict with it, is a joy to watch. Maestro is immediately sympathetic as Emilia. She has a elegant beauty and a appealing personality.

Perhaps I should have expected the conflict because something from that direction was inevitable, but it caught me a little by surprise in how it played out.

My only complaint is that the 20 year old, Ballentine, seemed even more mature to me and I had a hard time accepting her as 16.

Movie actually dellivers

[hypzrkunt · 8/10 · 3 February 2022]

While hallmark flare it is better than most. The female leads are quite good and believable. I would watch it again. Better storyline than previews suggest.

Good watch.

A man is found

[MickyG333 · 7/10 · 15 May 2023]

7.4 stars.

Two brothers Benedict and Charlie Stone, have been estranged for about 20 years. Charlie's 15 year old daughter shows up at Benedict's home out of the blue and reveals to him that she's his niece. Let the drama commence. Benedict is also on the outs with his wife and she is staying at a friend's house. Benedict's life is upside down. His niece Gemma whom he's never met, methodically changes him into a better man. His previously fulfilling and successful life is put back in order. The end.

There are several glaring incongruities in this film, however it's very entertaining and informative. I was entranced by how all the actors work very well together. The niece is intriguing and fun, and Benedict's character simply needs a few tweeks to get him back on track. The aspects that are difficult to believe are that Gemma is 15, because the actress is obviously closer to 20 years old. The reasons that his wife has "separated" from him are shallow and lacking in originality and depth. Can't get everything right in these films, so I just decided to go with it and enjoy the experience. I was not disappointed. 'Rise and Shine...' is a good time. Not quite a 7.5 star (rounded up to 8) in my opinion, so I'll settle on 7.4.

Surprisingly unique for Hallmark

[ppenny-76390 · 9/10 · 20 March 2022]

I truly enjoyed this movie, especially because it didn't follow the same hallmark formula. We usually see a man or woman being sent on business to their home town which is always small and where everyone knows each other. There's either a run in with an old boyfriend or girlfriend that either starts out badly and ends up together with one kiss and then the movie immediately ends, or the person who went to the small town is dealing with trying to change something because of work, an argument ensues, they hate each other and then they fall in love which ends with one kiss before the movie immediately ends. This film had a whole different feel and a very different path telling the story. I thought the acting was very good and loved the deviation from the typical that I'm used to seeing with Hallmark.

Delightful movie

[toncincin · 9/10 · 28 September 2021]

This movie is a throwback to the old days of Hallmark - it's a Hall of Fame quality movie. It's an uplifting story - with a little romance and family thrown in. Loved the way his niece made him see things a little differently. This helped him through the relationship problems with his wife. The issues between Benedict and Charlie weren't 100% resolved - but you could see the road to resolution in the future. Thoroughly enjoyable. Tom Everett Scott never disappoints. Good job Hallmark!

Bossy Children and Bad Acting

[Aussie08 · 4/10 · 5 October 2021]

I did not get very far into this movie. I just couldn't get past the character of Gemma. I can put up with a lot of convenient plot, bad acting, and general "cheese" from Hallmark stuff, but bratty children plot devices are my line in the sand. Gemma is, quite possibly, the most annoying adolescent character I've ever come across in a Hallmark film. Not even Mary from The Secret Garden (1987) is this annoying and she's *supposed* be a snot at the beginning. Gemma just shows up out of nowhere, claiming she's Benedict's niece. The next thing you know she's living with him, managing his diet, and telling him how to run *his* business! Now, she might be right about the client not wanting the more traditional ring, but there's a time and a place, and that was neither. This might be a perfectly fine, straight down the middle Hallmark film, but the annoying lead girl irritated me enough to turn it off. I don't understand how this is getting so many 9 and 10 reviews.

4/10 Because I liked the actors who played Benedict and Emilia, and that beautiful, beautiful location.

Delightful!

[pbirchy · 10/10 · 29 September 2021]

This is a beautiful movie about second chances with romance, mystery, funny scenes and gemstones as Benedict Stone turns his life around with the help of his young niece.

who is Gemma

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 16 December 2021]

Benedict Stone (Tom Everett Scott) is breaking up with his wife (Mía Maestro). One rainy night, his niece Gemma Stone (Ella Ballentine) suddenly shows up. He's been estranged from his brother for 20 years and has never met his niece. She claims to have lost her phone and can't remember her dad's phone number.

The movie starts with the obvious question of who is Gemma. There are some obvious possible avenues to take. One must also remember that this is Hallmark. There are a few possibilities. One big clue is Ben's comment that she looks like her brother. That zeroed in on a couple of solutions and it becomes a matter of waiting. The story itself is not that compelling. The characters are not that interesting either. Ben is moppy. In Gemma's case, she's random and obviously pushing an agenda. The mystery is not actually that mysterious. In that sense, the mystery remains the same throughout and it's a lot of waiting for the reveal. In the end, the reveal is underwhelming. It's probably the safest and least interesting of all the possibilities. This is not that interesting.

The most hopeful marriage recovery storyline I've ever watched

[bigsis_je · 9/10 · 29 November 2021]

Wow! This movie was the first "marriage recovery" story I've ever watched that didn't feel at all depressing. In fact, it was beautiful and sweet and full of hope. For me, it was the niece's bright cheeriness and the uncle/husband's precious loyalty and gentlemanliness that made this movie so good.

Very Good Hallmark Movie!!

[earthocean-69236 · 9/10 · 29 September 2021]

I really liked all the cast. I thought both Scott and Maestro did a excellent job but. Ballentine (Gemma) was the real reason this movie was so very good!

One bad apple ruins the movie

[jcar-24986 · 2/10 · 2 October 2021]

Gemma was the worst character I've ever seen in a hallmark movie. Every scene with her was hard to watch. All of the other characters were great, very convincing.

Exceptional Hallmark Movie

[drbeeson · 10/10 · 3 October 2021]

Ella Ballantine (Gemma) was phenomenal. Heartwarming script with excellent character development and human interaction. Beautiful location scenery and music score.

DITCH THE NIECE !!!!

[linda-plant2 · 2/10 · 26 March 2022]

The scores on here of 9 and 10 must be given by Ella Ballentyne's relatives ! Because if a kid like that showed up on ANYONE's doorstep she'd be hauled straight to Social Services ! No proof that she's a relative, starts telling her Uncle how to behave and being generally rude and asking inappropriate questions, and instead of 'Uncle' telling her to get lost, he sucks it up. Would anyone actually employ her in a jewellery store of all things without checking her ID? I think not.

Note: to Hallmark scriptwriters - get real !

This child's acting was dreadful, so there was a lot of fast forwarding to the scenes she wasn't in. Sorry, I got that wrong, she's not a child, more a 40 year old with frown lines with the body of a teenager.

Among my top 5 from Hallmark

[idylchatter · 8/10 · 10 June 2023]

I grew to love Hallmark movies for the initial thing I first hated about them; they were so doggedly formulaic. Sometime during the pandemic, I stumbled upon them again and found while some are obsessively sappy and truly unbelievable at times, they were a small panacea for the times--a suspension from what was going on, on Earth 1. This RSB Stone, is the one-in-25 from the Hallmark stable, that pierces through to a new level wrt story-telling and acting; especially the two actors portraying Gemma and Benedict. Ella as Gemma is truly indelible in this role. I cannot believe the grousing about her acting or the character. Have some of you never met someone that just bucked everything? That had an uncanny ability to perceive accurately what was going on even at an early age? That lived life in crayola colors every day with a bright precocious nature that matched? While most teens aren't similar to this Gemma character, the story is about the magic of this girl. Ella is the perfect actor to bring her to life. Would love to see these actors in another installation of RSBS or another project.

A Real Gem

[SunnyDaise · 10/10 · 25 September 2022]

This movie is a real gem, being the perfect mix of mysterious moonstone with the love/hope represented by opal. All the characters and plots link together, going quite deep at times, but with some gentle humor for balance. Plus it is two-generational, bi-cultural and spans 20 years (via flashbacks) so there are a few different perspectives to appreciate along the way. The younger generation is represented well in Gemma - despite he own struggles, she distracts herself with trying to support others. She doesn't always get things right, but neither do the adults. The jewelry, art work and location are all beautiful. Whether I need cheering up or calming down, this fits the bill. This was by far the best Hallmark channel movie I've watched of late. I'd love a sequel.

Scree Slope

[lucasgiraudxvd · 2/10 · 14 October 2021]

Gemma is just annoying, I didn't know one could suffer from a healing stone overdose.

Poor Benedict Stone took one on the back of the head and hasn't been the same ever since.

Worst movie ever!!

[mygirlz-90209 · 1/10 · 3 October 2021]

I could only stand to watch for maybe 30 mins! Bad in inexperienced acting.... Yes that's how it seemed...i was bored to tears then changed channel!

Ok besides the lead "child"

[ukheather · 5/10 · 25 October 2021]

The film is fine, but the lead apparent 16 year old is not only incredibly annoying but she is clearly 21 and literally is plus the overacting of her pretending to be is dreadful.

It's hard it ignore when she is in most scenes.

Otherwise it's a typical TV movie.

Niece Gemma acting is so annoying

[mchthom · 2/10 · 18 January 2022]

The movie may be good but so far I can't get past the 15 minute mark because the niece Gemma is so annoying. Why did Hallmark direct her character to be so whiny? It seems like the movie would have been good if she just acted like a normal person.

EDIT TO ADD: I did see the end of the movie. It took a few days The theme of the entire movie is cute with a good ending. I just wish the actress playing Gemma was directed to be less whiny and immature.

Which network is showing this. Rarely is info like this provided. Frustrating.

[latrese888 · 3 October 2021]

I will once I find out where to view it. This info is extremely helpful.

pleasant

[Kirpianuscus · 25 September 2022]

Nice exploration of sensitive themes, nice acting, sweet end. A story charming for the jewels and gem tree and the rebelious teen niece and the assume of parent status of older brother with not pleasant result.

In short, a seductive Hallmark film , in my case, not ignoring the mentioned motives, for Tom Everett Scott and the sketches for jewels , absolutely poetic, one by one. In the first case, he is one of actors remembering my youth for his early roles and teen stories well interpreted. The seconfd, maybe as wake up of the hidde desire to create jewels .

So, like the other reviewer , I saw it as a pleasant film . And this is not exactly a real insignificant virtue.