In guten wie in schlechten Zeiten

6.9 stars.

I would watch this again some day if I had nothing much to do, and that's not really a total put down on the film. In other words, this is an average experience for me. The plot is not bad, but some of the writing, acting and timing is really way off. But there are moments of pure genius, so this is a hit and miss movie.

It's about a woman who has a wedding planning business and a divorce lawyer leases the office adjacent. She is livid of course. Come to find out they are all intertwined and there is to be some drama that unfolds as their children are getting hitched, but they are NOT happy about the whole affair.

The funny parts all happened at once for me, somewhere about an hour into the story there is a cluster of humor that was quite refreshing, but afterward the movie just goes on a downward slope of drama and disappointment and who knows what. But overall this was not bad.

Widow wedding coordinator Wendy is less than thrilled to have divorced divorce attorney Marco move in next door to her business. Even worse her son brings home Marco's daughter. The one thing Marco and Wendy can agree on is that they do not want their kids, marrying, dropping out of law school and starting an organic farm.

This was hilariously funny with a sweet sentimental romantic storyline. This was cleverly devised to have you focused on on another couple as a romance is building between their parents.

It was fun to see Blair and Tootie from Facts of Life reunited.

My favorite bit of this film...the dancing! Thank you for that. I seriously missing dancing at the grange and the way those silver foxes eyes lit up when we showed up to dance.

This is a strong recommendation for me and a total surprise.

Did I mention the totally Canadian father/grandfather?

I am obsessed with this movie, watching it multiple times, the actors are phenomenal, realistic and such a true to life plot. A bonus is the star, Lisa who is every bit as enchanting as she was in "Facts of Life"! A real joy!

Lisa Whelchel doesn't look like Edward Ruttle's mother. She looks like Antonio Cupo's mother! I mean really, if you feel the need to cast a much older woman, use someone gorgeous like Jane Seymour! At least that would be more believable. I just couldn't get past it. Other than that Antonio Cupo was lovely as usual. Reviewers talking about "incest" because the children were getting married, are being absurd. If the kids grew up together, they might be in some serious need of therapy. Even then, however, it's still not incest. The only problem with the parental figures ever getting married is the fact that Lisa Whelchel could have actually given birth to Antonio Cupo! Definitely pass on this if you've just eaten!

'For Better or for Worse' (2014)

Opening thoughts: This is not coming from somebody who immediately hates on anything made by Hallmark. Have actually many Hallmark films in all their seasonal blockings, and quite a lot of them to me were above average. There are also ones that many fellow Hallmark regular viewers disliked that to me were not that bad while still being very flawed. Was hoping deep down that 'For Better or For Worse' would be one of those, as there were some good Hallmark made in 2014.

A prime example being 'The Color of Rain'. Actually quite liked the premise for 'For Better or For Worse', which did sound very cute despite also sounding predictable. As said Hallmark did have some good films in 2014, but 'For Better or For Worse' is down there sadly with the worst of them. Don't think it is quite as bad as has been said, with there being a few redeeming qualities, but there is a lot wrong with it and it is another case of the worst aspects being very awfully executed indeed.

Good things: Beginning with the good things. The production values are quite lovely, particularly the scenery. The music was not wow worthy, but was pleasant to listen to and fitted.

Despite being too young for his role, both as a love interest (he looked too much like her son agreed) and as a father (where he was too much of an older brother), Antonio Cupo does a good job in his role, with a nice easy going charm and subtle charisma, and did find his character mostly quite likeable.

Bad things: However, Lisa Whelchel tries far too hard throughout with more exaggerated mannerisms and gestures than one can count. Also really disliked her character, too smug and self-righteous, and her cold treatment of Shanks' character. A character who is much more likeable and easier to get behind, but he comes over as too nice and desperate in the latter stages when he didn't need or deserve to, which was frustrating. The two have no chemistry or spark together, the relationship is underdeveloped, too underplayed and progresses suddenly too late in a contrived way.

Furthermore, the script and story are very weak. The dialogue is very artificial and never has a natural flow, also found it very cheesy to cringe worthy effect and at times juvenile. The story is very thin and predictable, with a lot of draggy paces and very heavy on overplayed contrivances. The conflict lacks tension and feels really forced and like it was shoehorned into the film, while the ending is too neat in a way that doesn't make any sense.

Concluding thoughts: Overall, didn't do it for me at all.

3/10.