Movies that focus on dogs kind of cheat. Everybody loves dogs (or at least they should) and so viewers are already inclined to enjoy themselves when watching dog centric movies. But I've seen a lot of average dog movies including many on Hallmark (most recently, A Very Corgi Christmas). The mere presence of dogs can't hide a movie's flaws. But I was pleasantly surprised by this one.
I'm not Corey Sevier's biggest fan, but he was quite good in Noel Next Door, and he was good again here as Simon the Ad Man. I just didn't like his clothes which featured goofy suits, silky polka dot shirts (with an unflattering Saturday Night Fever vibe), turtle necks, etc. Ugh. He definitely did NOT go for the Don Draper look at all (even though that Mad Men name got dropped in the movie).
Rebecca Dalton, on the other hand, who'd look great in a burlap sack, was usually walking around in very flattering yoga pants and attractive but subdued tops. She played Alex, a beautiful, warm, and engaging dog trainer with no idea how to feed dogs, at least based on the opening scenes (Jacob the vet needs to educate her on dog diets). She was very very watchable. Hallmark needs to lock her down into an exclusive movie deal.
I also enjoyed the filming location in St. John's, a city on Newfoundland island, the easternmost part of Canada. If they ever mentioned the movie being set in an American town, as they normally are despite most Hallmark movies being filmed in Canada, I missed it. The area looked beautiful and the colorful buildings looked quite charming.
The movie was very well written. It was based upon an actual guidebook called "The Dog Lover's Guide to Dating: Using Cold Noses to Find Warm Hearts" that was written 20 years ago by a dog trainer named Deborah Wood. The premise?: "Studies show you're three times more likely to meet someone if you have a dog with you." That guidebook was turned into a romantic movie by new writers Catherine Reay and Kate Somerville. And when Simon and Alex meet, they both have dogs with them. Alex's sister Sarah was a well written character with some great lines delivered by a compelling Emily Stranges. Although younger than Alex, Sarah is much more at peace with their POS father ("You're just letting Dad's mistakes make the most important decisions for you"). I also liked that the competition (Chloe and Jacob) were quite likable. Jacob, played by Justin Nurse, is a handsome veterinarian who volunteers and will do literally anything to help Alex. Chloe, played by Eliza King, is a model turned successful fashion designer. She's a kind dog loving woman who knows what she wants (and what she doesn't):
Simon: "That drink order was really something"
Chloe: "Well, why would I compromise when I know what I like"
There's also a fun scene where Alex and Simon realize they're really attracted to each other:
Simon: "This next part should come really naturally to you. You have to remain rigid."
Alex: "Very funny. Never mock a woman with an axe in her hand."
Simon is described as "thoughtful, funny and reliable". I sure hope my daughter finds somebody like that one day.
But, once again, in the world of Hallmark, the depiction of money and business issues simply ignores reality. The only solution to the Shelter suddenly losing their lease is for them to buy the property? I don't know what the real estate values are in Newfoundland, but having a nonprofit Shelter buy the building seems like it might be a bit of a stretch and would require more than a last minute lightly attended silent auction.
I pointedly didn't watch this movie when it first came out. Instead, I began watching it a week later with every intention of turning it off. But I was drawn in by Rebecca Dalton and found the movie much more entertaining than I had anticipated. I grade Hallmark on a curve, so that's why this gets an 8.
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