Just One Kiss

I loved the singing in this movie. It breaks up the story telling with a nice tune every now & then and the smiles from the actors are contagious. I also enjoyed seeing ethnic characters in the lead, Italian, Jewish, Mexican, the moms were funny. The movie moved pretty fast for Hallmark, I mean he tried to kiss her on the 1st date! Lol I like these actors, they seemed more natural in their roles.

Loved it.

This was a really good romantic TV movie. Very original, well acted, and a bit of old Frank can never hurt. You always know how a Hallmark movie ends, but this journey was better than most. Very enjoyable.

'Just One Kiss' is the second film in the newly introduced, as of 2022, Spring Into Love seasonal block that had replaced the Spring Fever/Spring Fling one(s). The first being the decent if uneven 'A Second Chance at Love'. It is always nice to have a break from the Hallmark regulars every now and again, and it was interesting to have Broadway actors/singers in the lead roles (in fact 2022 had more non-Hallmark regulars leads than most previous years). Did like the premise.

And it is done well here in 'Just One Kiss'. It is not a great or perfect film (none of the 2022 Hallmark films are, or any of their output), but as far as 2022 Hallmark films go it is one of the better ones and was refreshing. Definitely an improvement over 'A Second Chance at Love', no annoying characters for example here. Nice to have a more musical-oriented film, which really played to the two leads' significant vocal talents, and do it as well as it does. Definitely worth watching at least once.

Do agree that the misunderstanding is extremely predictable and felt very contrived, not uncommon with Hallmark but this was one of the worst faring examples of the 2022 output.

The ending did feel really rushed as well as too convenient. Do agree too that Santino Fontana had some awkward moments early on.

Having said all of that, a lot is good. It is a very attractively photographed film with lovely scenery. The music is catchy and upbeat while also having soul in all the right places, that it is exceptionally well performed by the leads (both experienced music theatre performers). Fontana's acting does improve and becomes a good deal more charming and relaxed. Krysta Rodriguez is a joy throughout and a breath of fresh air. Their chemistry is genuine and very sweet and perky, and mostly their characters were worth connecting with.

Supporting cast are all solid with no exception and their characters while typical are neither dull or irritating. The writing is playfully light-hearted while taking the more serious moments seriously, without going into morose land. The story is far from perfect or original, but it is very upbeat and energetic and the charm and warm hearted factors are very high.

Overall, liked it a good deal while not loving it. 7/10.

Two moms set up their romantic offspring who have both loved but had their hearts broken. Mia Rivera is a college professor of literature who was inspired in her youth by the Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet and him poem "on living". Tony Romano is a piano bar singer who wears a fedora and likes to sing the crooner classics.

"So many of us when it comes to love-the journey from aspiration to fulfillment is a very bumpy road."-Professor Rivera

Tony and Mia meet first while heckling each other in a theater and then run into each other on the street...thanks to a little help from their moms.

"I'm not in a funk."-Mia. "All hermits say that"-bff

Mia moves into Tony's appartement building with her daughter and is in the process of divorcing her good-for-nothing husband. Her daughters first friend in her new home happens to be Tony's niece who he is looking after while his sister is away.

Tony and Mia agree to be friends...and get to know each other...the rest is history!

The dedication at the end is sweet, sentimental and beautiful.

"Ralph Waldo Emerson says shallow men believe in luck, strong men believe in cause and effect."-Mia.

"Stab the body and it heals, but enter the heart and the wound lasts a lifetime."-Mineko Iwasaki

"Deny me bread, air, light, spring, but never your laughter for I will die."-Pablo Neruda

This was sweetly romantic in an old fashioned way that is very sentimental. I highly recommend this to any romantics out there.

Just One Kiss is the most welcome Hallmark movie in a very long time. It departs from every standard device that Hallmark movies have used over and over. Of course, there is the aborted kiss, and the misunderstood moment that leads to separation and reconciliation. But other than those two standard cliches, everything about this films is the most refreshing breath of fresh air in a very long time. The hero is a musician who sings the oldies in a supper club.. He actually sings old Sinatra favorites, classic love songs, and sings them well. Once in a while , there is a slight quarter note off key..but not enough to daunt the listener. Our leading lady is a single mom, in the process of completing a contentious divorce, She is actually an intelligent college professor, and not the typical Hallmark smiling blonde who is looking for romance. She teaches a course in poetry, and is the object of some very insightful comments from her students, mostly about their observation of her love life.

There is a gay couple, portrayed with incredible maturity, love, intelligence, and not in a gratuitous manner. Bravo, Hallmark! Long overdue.

Added to this wonderful mix are the two mothers of the leading actors. One is a "typical" Italian mom, the other one a "typical" Jewish mom. While their behaviors, their love of their children, their efforts to make a match happen are a bit of a cliche, the roles are beautifully played by Aida Turturro and Ileana Douglas, two very established and competent actresses. A surprise ending is very creative and very emotional, bringing tears to ones eyes.

In all, this is a mature, very intelligent movie, with some wonderful music to listen to. Even the leading lady sings and dances beautifully. The relationships are intelligent, love develops in an intelligent, sensible way. This is a definite departure from the Hallmark films we are used to . In the very best way. Hallmark, please, send us more of this kind of movie!