Hallmark's Movies and Mysteries network often goes beyond the rom/com formula and this is a good example. There is a romance story squeezed in, but the movie is more a story of recovery from tragic loss. I find it interesting that one of my most memorable movies with Michael Rady is Two Turtle Doves which has some similarities to this one.
The approach taken here to the grief theme seems to me that it is a pretty sure way to grab the heartstrings. Two teenage girls dealing with loneliness are at the center of the story. Tragedy and grief are prominent in both of the central families.
There is sadness in the story yet hope outweighs the sadness.
I think all of the 3 main actors did a fine job with their parts. (I started to say 4 main actors and realized the Toni's character was ever present despite only the briefest snippet of screen time.) I don't think I need to say that they captured the emotions felt by their characters.
Side observation - in today's world of antagonism and blame everywhere you look, it was nice to see a father be open minded and not jump too quickly to accuse Noelle of impropriety in the early stages and dismiss her.
I think there is probably much to absorb in a repeated viewing that I missed the first time through.
The approach taken here to the grief theme seems to me that it is a pretty sure way to grab the heartstrings. Two teenage girls dealing with loneliness are at the center of the story. Tragedy and grief are prominent in both of the central families.
There is sadness in the story yet hope outweighs the sadness.
I think all of the 3 main actors did a fine job with their parts. (I started to say 4 main actors and realized the Toni's character was ever present despite only the briefest snippet of screen time.) I don't think I need to say that they captured the emotions felt by their characters.
Side observation - in today's world of antagonism and blame everywhere you look, it was nice to see a father be open minded and not jump too quickly to accuse Noelle of impropriety in the early stages and dismiss her.
I think there is probably much to absorb in a repeated viewing that I missed the first time through.