Blueprint to the Heart

Dennis Andres always lights up the screen and makes any movie fun to watch. This was a cute movie and enjoyable from start to finish.

There are two things I don't like to see in a review. "Worst movie ever" or something similar. And people saying a movie is terrible while admitting they only watched 10-20 minutes. I've watched so many movies where I hated the start for any number of reasons and ended up liking the movie.

This movie started out so that I was thinking it might actually merit the statement of worst movie ever. Then a bit further I decided, maybe it just deserves worst premise ever. Then I wondered if maybe it was a parody on reality makeover shows since it was combining home makeover with a makeover of a person. I haven't completely given up on that last idea.

Here's the awful premise: oh yeah, who wouldn't want to watch a reality makeover that comes in and tells a blue collar guy that not only is his home terrible, but he is a loser personally as well. Insult the guy and expect him to take it. Not only that but force the makeover on him when he doesn't want anything changed in the first place. I loved how they snuck that contract in and not only did he not read it, but neither did Tiffany when she promised him it would be great.

They keep insulting him well into the movie. They want to force a blue collar guy into high fashion, men's style.

The acting was fairly good with the possible exception of Clayton James whose only contribution was to stand around and look either bored or disgusted. Oh and there was Johannah Newmarch's fake smile that wouldn't fool anyone.

I started to like Laura Mitchell in the second half and there was even a little chemistry developing with Dennis Andres even if it seemed like forever before they started to connect. In the first half, they didn't even have that playful banter because Tiffany was completely missing anything Brooks said or felt. Complete disconnect.

Like my title say, things start to get better the deeper we go into the movie. The climax and ending aren't half bad.

I'm all for standing up for women who are put down, but this movie is the other way around - she's too hard on the bloke over things that don't matter and aren't even a problem in the first place... it's kind of the opposite of misogyny, which I don't want to see either. I struggled to make it through the movie once, and certainly wouldn't rewatch. A few of the earlier Reel One movies, some starring this male actor, were like this but I've seen him in better RO stuff since. This movie is theoretically all-age friendly, but the woman doesn't really set a good example, so it would probably do more harm than good.

My main problem with this one was why any home renovation show or interior designer with any taste would want to change this carpenter's cute authentic and cozy home. They wanted to rip out the hardwood floors, remove the original old wood fir tree beams and knock out the walls to make it a McMansion-style house. And they wanted to do the same to him, basically. This guy who was a casual, cheerful, very talented Carpenter who looked like a poor man's Chris Pratt. And I mean that as a compliment. However, the chemistry between the two principles was excellent and good triumphed over evil in the end. Probably doesn't deserve it, but I'm giving it 7 stars for the likability and overall appeal of the hero.

The two leads do an effective job in this low budget fast shoot movie.

Laura Mitchell is particularly attractive in a nonthreatening way and her acting gives "Wife Material" vibes as intended for the movie.

(Lots of words to say that she is convincing in her role.)

Dennis Andres is as charming as he can and very effective at taking his character from a carefree with no sense of responsibilities ("Star Lord/Chris Pratt" Guardian of the Galaxy), to a more mature person.

The vehicle for this transformation being a reality TV show, lends itself well for them to explore each other's personalities and grow.

The cinematography is adequate.

The soundtrack is acceptable.

The editing is done professionally.

For a low budget movie shot in 30 days, this was a good entry into the genre.