I enjoy watching Taylor Cole. Her beauty, grace, smile, expressive eyes, and wardrobe are things I look forward to in her Hallmark movies. She carried this most scenes in this movie and I enjoyed it. Her best Hallmark performance in the past year. She especially shined in her scenes with the dogs and in her photographer scenes. On that note, costuming gave her some beautiful dresses. The red dress during the final scenes is a red carpet wonder. Taylor seemed entirely at ease with her male counterpart, Ryan Peavey. Hallmark has been using her with different male leads the last couple years; some of which did not work.
The supporting cast did a good job. Her two co-workers provided needed relief and dimension to the story. The female leads parents were convincingly caring and supportive; and, provided some quotable "pearls of wisdom."
Ryan's best scenes were when he was in repartee' with Taylor. Their timing was spot on. I don't think Ryan's performance was equal to Taylor's, but that's not entirely his fault. Most of his scenes were close-ups with brief expressions. He did better in the scenes where he could interact with other actors and his environment. Also his script provided little in the way of character development and arc aside from the romance itself.
One last thing, I found the closing shot of a possible male couple confusing. We knew all the other couples in the montage of couples. The writers provided no context for this.
Reviews
3 Reviews
This Is Episode Is Why I Love New Amsterdam!
29 March 2019
Great story arcs. Heart wrenching acting.
We've been waiting all season for Dr Bloom to hit bottom. Janet Montgomery did a masterful job laying out the pain and heartbreak for all of us to see. The writing was spot on between Iggy and Bloom. Neither character had to be weak or defeated by the other. They both came from strength. There is a lot more going on in this episode than just Bloom. Janet should get an award for her performance.
Enjoy it.
Falling for You
(2018 TV Movie)
A Movie About Relationship Not Romance
22 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
"Falling for You" is a story about Lacey and Zac's relationship. Lacey is trying to save a small town's radio station due to recent town budget cuts. To make up the missing funds, Lucey creates a "Bachelor Bake-Off." At the same time Zac arrives to town. Zac created the software which revealed that the town was short funds and needed to make the cuts. There's something wrong with the software and Zac is under pressure to fix it. The "Bachelor Bake-Off" loses a contestant and Lucey convinces Zac to become replacement. They have an understanding that Zac will help her with the budget and planning while Lucey helps him learn to bake. As they spend time together, their feelings and admiration grow. With the "Bachelor Bake-Off" getting closer they both get wonderful opportunities in each of their careers. What will happen to their love? Will they go their separate ways? Will they rise to the new challenges? Can they find a solution?
I've watched this movie three out of the four times it showed during Hallmark Fall Harvest premiere month. It wasn't until the third time that I was able to appreciate the movie for what it was. It shouldn't take three times to figure out a romantic comedy. In part that is the writer and director's fault. It also was partially my fault because I assumed that this movie would be a formulaic Hallmark movie. I was lazy, not looking carefully nor deeply into what was going on. Hopefully, this review can help you appreciate this movie without dismissing it.
Why watch this movie:
Watch this movie to see Taylor Cole in a different role. Usually she's the organized, confident, career-focused professional. In "Falling For You" she portrays a "force of nature," who by her enthusiasm and personality inspires others. She is insecure and unsure. She is a free-spirit being better at dreaming and talking than organizing and consequences (Think Ashley Williams' characters in "Love on a Limb," 2016, or "October Kiss," 2015). Taylor does a good job of bringing a different range of expressions, movements, and voice inflections. I thoroughly enjoyed it after I got over the shock. This was the best part of the movie for me.
Watch this movie to see Lucey and Zac's relationship. As the plot progesses, it is touching to see the small ways they begin to adopt the things they admire in the other. They speak to each other frankly and realistically. They challenge each other to be better and try new things. At the end they embrace a new, better future which includes each other and all their dreams. I was glad that they both knew that it was better to talk to each other when things got tense rather than assume the worst and cut off communication. In all, this is a refreshing relationship and provides a glimpse of what good communication and relationship give and take looks like. In quite a few Hallmark romances we only see the mistakes and an apology. Lucey and Zac's relationship dynamic is the key to understanding this movie. It's Lucey's words that finally made sense to it all, "I want to marry my best friend who I also happen to be madly in love with," after which Zac agrees. (not an exact quote). They want the relationship to be right above all.
Watch this movie for some great moments from the supporting cast. 1. Alison Wandzura convincingly, wondrously plays Sandra, the good-hearted, supportive BFF of Lucey. Alison played the selfish, hard-nosed antagonist role as Courtney in "Truly, Madly, Sweetly" (2018). Her performance in "Falling For You" convinced me that Sandra is a genuinely good person in the movie and that Alison is in real life. I hope we get to see her in a romantic lead role in the future. 2. Madison Smith (Max Buckman) and Matt Visser (Lucas Buckman) who are hilarious as brothers. Some might say "cheesy," but their timing is perfect. 3. Agape Mngomezulu as Ty. Agape's protrayal gives us no choice but to cheer for his delightful, yet struggling character. Ty is a talented geek who feels like a misfit. Both Zac and Lucey have heartwarming moments helping him see his value especially because he is not like everyone else.
Why not to watch this movie
Do not watch this movie for the romance and the big climax where you say "Awww" and tear up. (I did tear up in places.) The first time I saw the movie, I said "awkward" at their climactic kiss. Later, once I understood, I could appreciate what was going on. Here are the facts. There is no physical contact between the Lucey and Zac for the first half of the movie. See the buying of tickets scene at the beginning of the movie for what is to follow. The first contact is elbow to ribs, a sign of friendly familiarity, not romantic at all. Expect to see Zac and Lucey standing apart (like 4 feet) while talking. There is no accidental touching of hands. No touching of hair or face. They don't hold hands and they don't hug until the end. There are two kisses. The passionate one is in the middle of the movie. To "get" the relationship, you have to accept this is intentional. This reflects what I've read about the book it was based upon (Baking for Keeps by Jessica Gilmore).
Do not watch this movie for the "Bachelor Bake-Off" and the quest to save the radio station. The bake-off takes only a few minutes. We don't see any bidding drama nor do we see the baked goods. There is some baking but not much. Frankly, don't feel bad if you don't root for a certain bachelor or the radio station's survival.
What would have made this movie better.
It would have helped if the "cooking together" scene contributed to the story rather than telling us more of the same about the individual characters. It told us that Zac is tied to his phone which at this point is nothing new. I still haven't figured out what Lucey's reference to "baking with love" was meant to tell us. There was nothing of the typical Hallmark "cooking scene" in this. Lucey and Zac work in isolation with no playful interaction. When they taste their respective cakes, they remain spatially separated. Not even their forks touch.
It would have been better if Zac and Lucy had honestly communicated about their first kiss. Tyler and Taylor during their kiss communicate a lot about what their characters are feeling for each other. It is as good as any Hallmark kiss. But without a context and no further romantic progression/clues, I didn't know what to do with it. At first I was thinking, "Aww" and "Wow," but as the movie progressed it eventually became meaningless to their relationship dynamic.
It would have been better if we had more clues as to what is going on with Tyler Hine's character. Tyler has a winning smile and he adequately portrays Zac's admiration for Lucey. However, there were several times when I wasn't sure what Zac was thinking or feeling. Especially with Zac Malone's straight, tight-lipped not-quite-smile expression. It didn't communicate interest or attraction for Lucey; maybe it is meant to communicate insecurity or shyness or seriousness. The problem is I'm not sure. For us to understand the relationship dynamic, the cerebral character needed to give us more clues; either by the director, script, or actor.
I've watched this movie three out of the four times it showed during Hallmark Fall Harvest premiere month. It wasn't until the third time that I was able to appreciate the movie for what it was. It shouldn't take three times to figure out a romantic comedy. In part that is the writer and director's fault. It also was partially my fault because I assumed that this movie would be a formulaic Hallmark movie. I was lazy, not looking carefully nor deeply into what was going on. Hopefully, this review can help you appreciate this movie without dismissing it.
Why watch this movie:
Watch this movie to see Taylor Cole in a different role. Usually she's the organized, confident, career-focused professional. In "Falling For You" she portrays a "force of nature," who by her enthusiasm and personality inspires others. She is insecure and unsure. She is a free-spirit being better at dreaming and talking than organizing and consequences (Think Ashley Williams' characters in "Love on a Limb," 2016, or "October Kiss," 2015). Taylor does a good job of bringing a different range of expressions, movements, and voice inflections. I thoroughly enjoyed it after I got over the shock. This was the best part of the movie for me.
Watch this movie to see Lucey and Zac's relationship. As the plot progesses, it is touching to see the small ways they begin to adopt the things they admire in the other. They speak to each other frankly and realistically. They challenge each other to be better and try new things. At the end they embrace a new, better future which includes each other and all their dreams. I was glad that they both knew that it was better to talk to each other when things got tense rather than assume the worst and cut off communication. In all, this is a refreshing relationship and provides a glimpse of what good communication and relationship give and take looks like. In quite a few Hallmark romances we only see the mistakes and an apology. Lucey and Zac's relationship dynamic is the key to understanding this movie. It's Lucey's words that finally made sense to it all, "I want to marry my best friend who I also happen to be madly in love with," after which Zac agrees. (not an exact quote). They want the relationship to be right above all.
Watch this movie for some great moments from the supporting cast. 1. Alison Wandzura convincingly, wondrously plays Sandra, the good-hearted, supportive BFF of Lucey. Alison played the selfish, hard-nosed antagonist role as Courtney in "Truly, Madly, Sweetly" (2018). Her performance in "Falling For You" convinced me that Sandra is a genuinely good person in the movie and that Alison is in real life. I hope we get to see her in a romantic lead role in the future. 2. Madison Smith (Max Buckman) and Matt Visser (Lucas Buckman) who are hilarious as brothers. Some might say "cheesy," but their timing is perfect. 3. Agape Mngomezulu as Ty. Agape's protrayal gives us no choice but to cheer for his delightful, yet struggling character. Ty is a talented geek who feels like a misfit. Both Zac and Lucey have heartwarming moments helping him see his value especially because he is not like everyone else.
Why not to watch this movie
Do not watch this movie for the romance and the big climax where you say "Awww" and tear up. (I did tear up in places.) The first time I saw the movie, I said "awkward" at their climactic kiss. Later, once I understood, I could appreciate what was going on. Here are the facts. There is no physical contact between the Lucey and Zac for the first half of the movie. See the buying of tickets scene at the beginning of the movie for what is to follow. The first contact is elbow to ribs, a sign of friendly familiarity, not romantic at all. Expect to see Zac and Lucey standing apart (like 4 feet) while talking. There is no accidental touching of hands. No touching of hair or face. They don't hold hands and they don't hug until the end. There are two kisses. The passionate one is in the middle of the movie. To "get" the relationship, you have to accept this is intentional. This reflects what I've read about the book it was based upon (Baking for Keeps by Jessica Gilmore).
Do not watch this movie for the "Bachelor Bake-Off" and the quest to save the radio station. The bake-off takes only a few minutes. We don't see any bidding drama nor do we see the baked goods. There is some baking but not much. Frankly, don't feel bad if you don't root for a certain bachelor or the radio station's survival.
What would have made this movie better.
It would have helped if the "cooking together" scene contributed to the story rather than telling us more of the same about the individual characters. It told us that Zac is tied to his phone which at this point is nothing new. I still haven't figured out what Lucey's reference to "baking with love" was meant to tell us. There was nothing of the typical Hallmark "cooking scene" in this. Lucey and Zac work in isolation with no playful interaction. When they taste their respective cakes, they remain spatially separated. Not even their forks touch.
It would have been better if Zac and Lucy had honestly communicated about their first kiss. Tyler and Taylor during their kiss communicate a lot about what their characters are feeling for each other. It is as good as any Hallmark kiss. But without a context and no further romantic progression/clues, I didn't know what to do with it. At first I was thinking, "Aww" and "Wow," but as the movie progressed it eventually became meaningless to their relationship dynamic.
It would have been better if we had more clues as to what is going on with Tyler Hine's character. Tyler has a winning smile and he adequately portrays Zac's admiration for Lucey. However, there were several times when I wasn't sure what Zac was thinking or feeling. Especially with Zac Malone's straight, tight-lipped not-quite-smile expression. It didn't communicate interest or attraction for Lucey; maybe it is meant to communicate insecurity or shyness or seriousness. The problem is I'm not sure. For us to understand the relationship dynamic, the cerebral character needed to give us more clues; either by the director, script, or actor.
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