Dulce amor de invierno

It's difficult to identify why we deleted this on the DVR, because it was bad in so many ways. {And this has nothing to do with Lori's prison stretch. She paid the price and that's over}.

The premise of her her brother suddenly moving and pressing her to agree to sell his half to an investor was just not realistic. That successful investor guy walking in and trying to take over a tiny candy shop was ridiculous. The faked awkward chemistry was obvious. Who thought this setup was a good movie idea? A moron did obviously.

Bad script, awkward acting, weird circumstances, and just plain bad. So we hit delete and moved on. I gave it a "3" since I was feeling generous (and embarrassed for everyone involved). Here's a word of advice: Next time put on your thinking cap so you don't repeat this dog.

I'm glad to see Lori Loughlin back to work, but this movie felt like she mailed in her performance. I didn't feel like anyone or anything (except for Cherion Drakes) had much emotion. The story certainly didn't have any highs or lows or surprises. And didn't I see almost this same plot a couple of years ago. There are many of the usual formula plot devices including not one but two misunderstandings that threaten to torpedo the relationship.

I liked James Tupper in My Family Christmas Tree (which I've already watched at least 4 times) and after Brooks got past his change everything and squeeze every penny phase, Brooks was a pretty decent guy. But that's just it. Decent. But nothing special. I didn't think Tupper and Loughlin had much chemistry.

There's nothing bad about this movie. It is certainly Family Friendly which is one of the benchmarks (I almost said hallmarks which is the other network) of GAC Family. It is just too vanilla, not chocolate.

I don't understand the negative reviews for this movie. I almost didn't watch it because of the bad reviews, but I decided to anyway and I'm glad I did because I loved it. It's a movie I could watch over and over, and I don't watch many movies again unless they bring joy and hope to my heart. This one does.

I thought the two leads had great chemistry. I loved the growth in both of their characters, both personally, and as a couple. Yes, they've both had issues in their real life personal lives, but I think they've tried to make amends and they're trying to move on. Forgiveness is important for all of us. If you're bitter towards them (and it seems some of the other reviewers are), you need to forgive and move on. You're bitterness only hurts you, it's not hurting them.

I enjoyed the side characters as well. Great casting all around!

So don't believe the naysayers, give this one a try!

The story is very predicable but if you are into these types of ultra simple, pedestrian movies and actually can suspend belief with the lackluster acting, then I guess it does it's job.

The premise is rather ironic, Lori plays a single mom with a daughter away at college (har har) in Europe and her brother thinks he's doing her a favor by getting her a new investor in her candy store. You can piece the rest together from the synopsis already published. James plays a money focused, stiff and unemotional business guy. Nothing to see here, the acting is at best barely passable.

I wish the characters were able to show more emotion, more flirt, more depth, more build up to the romance with more authentic drama. The story could have been fun and sweet instead it's dull and lifeless. It's just too vanilla and simplistic in it's depiction.

I watched it because I have never watch these types of made for TV movies and wanted to see what the hype was around Lori. She was just passable in it, it's all very straight and basic so hard to get a sense of what any of the actors are truly capable of.

I don't understand why these actors - Lori an ex con/fraudster and James in the news for trying to get his grubby hands on his dead ex's estate money by bullying her son - are even still being given acting roles? This is the best they could find? Don't they want actors who are role models in these "Christian" GAC productions?

Okay .... so we have a locally-owned candy shop where the candy is handmade ... SLOWLY, and we virtually never see a customer in the shop. This place isn't going to survive a month, yet we have a savvy businessman with modern business ideals buying into it?

Nope.

Then let's take James Tupper. I'm sure we've seen him in some stuff where he showed some life, but that isn't in this movie. He put on the mantle of timid and awkward and apologetic for EVERYTHING and never took it off.

The romance is a typical antithetical romance, where at least one of the romantic leads seriously dislikes the other. Normally those are supposed to be funny. Nothing funny anywhere in this movie.

We were happy to see a resurrection of Lori Laughlin's career. We thought what happened with her was ridiculous. When California won't even charge someone who steals hundreds of dollars of merchandise with a crime, you're going to incarcerate someone who paid big bucks to get their kids into college? Great behavior? No. But save that cell for someone preying on innocent victims.