The More Love Grows

7.4 stars.

It's very rare for Hallmark to give us a story centered around an actual divorce that is in the works rather than a retroactive one, or the usual death of a spouse.

In this case we have a film starting out seemingly normal, but we know something has to go wrong, because the husband is a chump and the leading female is obviously not feeling normal as a housewife of sorts. From there we see the transformation of a woman who is blindsided by the news that husband is unhappy with the marriage. But is she really surprised?

This film is mostly unfinished in a sense, but the story is fully told. The leading male/love interest's role is half developed, the husband is a ghost of a character, and the daughter is only secondary; so we miss out on anything coming to fruition. The leading female is uncertain of herself which wasn't explored correctly. Therefore, 'The More Love Grows' is not a completely fulfilling experience. But I still enjoyed it because the acting is great and the flow and dialogue are satisfying. Hard to explain, but this is actually an entertaining movie (the dog helped).

The dog got me to watch, lol. I really enjoy the smooth simplicity of both Rachel Boston and Warren Christie. A believable pair. The story is engaging but the plot is not superbly well written at all. There are just Too many odd characters that contribute no context (like her mean girl (not believable) besties... the three don't have any chemistry as a friend group!) The relationship conflict is realistic -- making it interesting. The rest of the acting was awkward to watch for the most part. And too rote. But it's a solid Hallmark flick for the acting. And lighthearted in the end and that's it's charm.

This new Hallmark movie had so much potential! Sadly, it missed that opportunity. Rachel Boston, the leading actress, has shown in all her past films that she has a very limited range. Her tendency to giggle during any lapse in dialogue is almost her signature behavior. Her giggle fills space that could be just as well be left silent. And her giggle is most often inappropriate to the moment in the script.

The story that this film offers is so contemporary,and so relevant to a large audience. A marriage suddenly ends. The couple, mature enough to have daughter in college, needs to deal with the reality of two lives that have to move on. This topic could have been explored in a much more mature and sensitive manner. Unfortunately, it wasn't.

Acting kudos go to the leading actress' mother, played by Gabrielle Rose, who has an impressive range of emotion, expressions, and very convincing delivery of her lines.

If the viewer can overlook the giggling of the leading lady as well as her broad smile throughout any emotional scene, this is a movie that could deliver a profound message about moving on, discovering ones untapped talents and gratifications.

In the end, this movie belongs to the wonderful dog who stole every scene. He was a marvelous actor, a real trouper, and saved the viewer from all the unsettling smiling and flat giggling of the leading lady,.

Outside of the dog in this movie there really isn't much to like about it. The main story lines for the human characters are just too depressing that they really don't capture the viewer's attention or interests. So much so that you find yourself wondering if they would have just made this totally about the dog in a sort of Benji way - would that have made the movie more interesting for the viewer? Given the actor an actress in this movie and knowing their ability based on past performances I just couldn't get into this one at all and I wanted to. Should have been happy for the final outcome for the dog but the rest was hard to watch.

This is not a bad movie, and it's different in a way because it shows separation and divorce. I've never seen this area of life explored in a hallmark movie before.

If you like dogs, it's a good picture for you. Lead actress does a good job, as she normally does in one of her movies. A little dog also does a great job, he is very believable.

It moves along, rather slowly, as most Hallmark movies do. Wife is totally surprised by husband's request for separation and divorce.

Husband does not appear to be a jerk, however, everything he's doing shows he is is a Butthead. But that's a part of the plot.

Of course, she meets a handsome veterinarian, who is in the middle of his second career. She's not in the profession she wants to be, but it's what was easy and convenient to raise a child at home.

The subplot is her daughter going way to college, and winding up with a roommate that wants to do nothing but party. All she wants to do is study.

Very strong message of motherly love.

Elmer, the dog, hates conflict, and when there is conflict, he runs away.

This is not a movie about fixing a marriage, it's about doing what makes you feel good.