Color My World with Love

Yes this movie is touching and does a good job of dramatizing these amazing lives. Several things stand out to me from this movie.

I was very concerned about the pressure Emma received even from her mom to allow things to progress as rapidly as Kendall and Brad were taking it. For one thing, her mom seemed to be keeping the budding relationship on the down-low.

I was amazed that the idea of a 6 month engagement was so abhorrent to so many people in the story. This is the Hallmark movie effect taken to an extreme that is almost irresponsible. For those of us who watch dozens of Hallmark movies every year, we kind of ignore the fact that every couple falls in love in days, if not less. It is a form of time compression that is usually a kind of poetic license. But in real life it is irresponsible to make lifetime commitments so quickly. You can't learn what you need to know about a life partner in such short periods of time. Failure to really know a potential partner leads to surprises that even "love" can't always save. I know few couples with shorter engagements and those also including courtships of at least a similar if longer length.

There is a scene at a bus stop that captures the risks for people with these inherent emotional challenges. And what happens next? Everyone gangs up on Emma for trying to be responsible. Emma may have overreacted some, but the sequence showed what potential consequences might have resulted if the couple were not guided through their relationship carefully. When the very grim faced lady police officer spoke to Emma afterward, I half expected her to say that she was referring the case to CPS before I remembered Kendall wasn't technically a child. I at least expected some warning to be more careful.

On the plus side, Lily D. Moore played Kendall in such an uplifting and positive way.

Also a plus, I liked the way Emma dealt with Kendall's dad.

Erica Durance had a difficult part trying to play the protective mother yet not being overly oppressive. I was happy to see Emma make good choices in that regard. This mother really loved her child and resisted the choice of making everything about her (Emma).

There was actually screen time for a romance between Nic and Emma. Ayres and Durance worked several seasons together on Saving Hope and it is not surprising to see them connect so easily.

The movie is enjoyable, but my concerns over a rushed relationship in this special case left me with mixed feelings.

'Color My World with Love' (2022)

Opening thoughts: The 2022 Hallmark Movies and Mysteries block was hit and miss, most were pretty good and more, 'North to Home', 'The Presence of Love' and 'Rip in Time'. It also had the disastrous 'Cut, Color, Murder', which was one of the worst 2022 Hallmark films. A year that was expectedly and understandably variable (like all the previous years). Hallmark have done many relationship and family drama and serious themed films before, often very well but sometimes have also missed the mark.

'Color My World with Love' is in the former category, but it not only did relationship and family drama and its serious theme more than very well it also actually bowled me over. It is for me by far the best 2022 Hallmark Movies and Mysteries film (and overall) and the best 2022 Hallmark film, as well as a very strong contender for the best film that Hallmark has ever done. No other film of theirs touched me or warmed my heart in this way, and no other was this relatable. Before 'Color My World with Love', this reviewer found flaws with all of Hallmark's films (in many only a few but in even more of them a lot of flaws), but 'Color My World with Love' is a rarity of finding next to nothing wrong.

Bad things: Perhaps it could have gotten going a little quicker but this is very nit-picky. Also can't quite place it on the same level as all the films that was given the best possible rating.

Good things: Everything else was done right and brilliantly. The acting is some of the best of any Hallmark film, with Erica Durance and Benjamin Ayres giving honest, heartfelt performances that felt very personal. Have not seen either of them either, plus their chemistry was beautiful. The acting standout is Lilly D. Moore, who moved me to tears as one of the most relatable characters in any Hallmark film. Am disabled myself (though not with Downs Syndrome), so the portrayal of Downs Syndrome and how it affects the family resonated with me a lot and not too far off my and my family's struggles. The characters came over as real people and were so easy to relate to.

Furthermore, the script sounds natural and has real sincerity throughout, it doesn't sugar coat the serious themes and there is nothing simplistic or over-generalised. Have seen both with portrayals of various disabilities elsewhere, so that was appreciated. How the adversity affects the family and the relationships also had depth and weren't simplified or too general. One feels the struggles with the film not shying away from how difficult it is for everybody involved rather than showing it from one person's perspective, but also the love and support.

The story is extremely touching and warms the heart, with everything done with a lot of honesty. The drama is not too soapy or over sentimental and it doesn't feel forced or dragged out. The subject is handled sincerely and sensitively, while not taking itself too seriously or coming over as melodramatic or over sappy. The production values are strong and had no issue with the placement or tone of the music.

Closing thoughts: Overall, one of the very few great Hallmark films.

9/10.

This is one of the best Hallmark shows ever. My wife taught young adults with disabilities at Project Search. I saw how people who care can make a difference and assimulate them into society. These two young handicapped actors did an absolute perfect job showing that mentally challenged people can fall in love, pursue happiness and live like everyone else in society. The actress who played the mother nailed her role with compassion and the tribulations that go with the responsibility of raising a handicap child and protecting them. I hope Hallmark does a sequel.

I loved this movie; the most compelling feature of this movie is the bravery exuding from both David and Lily. Their ability to adapt and thrive in a world that doesn't understand their abilities and can be limiting for them is remarkable.

Lily is just perfection from the very start. As Kendall, she is cheerful, 'can-do' minded, and very ready to grow up and experience life for herself. Not looking for love, Kendall is busy living her life when she meets a young man named David. He and Kendall immediately become friends, and this turns into love.

Kendall's mom, Erica Durance's character, is what I would say is the perfect mom. She really takes the best care of Kendall and exudes the feeling that she is beyond fortunate to have been blessed with her. Emma is her name, and she is cautious but confident. Like many moms, she is careful about Kendall's safety and more importantly, her heart. The scenes they share really drive home the idea that a great parent will do almost anything to make their child feel loved and safe.

Beverly is the grandmother of Kendall, and a giant proponent of allowing Kendall to explore her possibilities.

David DeSanctis plays Brad, Kendall's friend and eventual love interest. He is absolutely wonderful in how he balances the silly side of his humor with his very serious ability to love. His love for Kendall is unquestionable.

The movie is a fast watch; there are no boring moments, and also not very many tropes that you might expect. There is only one situation where the expected rejection toward Kendall appears, and that scene ends up being incredibly moving. I loved how this scene gives the watcher some closure, instead of sitting on the point that most people are unhelpful to those with special differences.

As a character, Beverly (Grandmother) was amiable, but it did seem to me that she was unnecessarily dismissive of the caution that Kendall's mom displayed. I understand the rationale that Hallmark was trying to convey - they were highlighting how over-protectiveness on the part of a parent can become the norm if it isn't 'checked', which can negatively impact Kendall and her mom as well. It was the somewhat condescending spirit that stood out to me from Beverly, and even as a non-parent, I found myself thinking that the liberties she tended to promote for Kendall were just not well-thought.

If I had more experience with those who have Down Syndrome, I might better understand the realities and risks that are present, but my observations for Beverly are based on my own potentially ignorant understanding.

All in all, an excellent and captivating movie.

This was by far one of the best Hallmark movies I have seen in years. It rises to the level of a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. All of the actors were amazing and so believable. I think that every mother can relate to the challenge of being protective of her daughter while trying to let her be independent and happy in life. The challenge of having a daughter with special needs only amplifies the emotions between holding-on and letting-go. Please make more movies like this one! I will definitely watch it again.

(My one complaint: Because not all TV providers (i.e. DirecTV) carry Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, my sister is unable to see this movie. Please consider showing this movie on the regular Hallmark Channel to reach a wider audience).