Rip in Time

I had very high hopes for this one, and I was not disappointed. It was written by C. J. Cox who penned one the best Hallmarks in recent years, Love Strikes twice, as well as the Reese Witherspoon favorite Sweet Home Alabama and Rene Zellweger's New in Town. It starred Niall Matter as Rip Van Winkle's estranged son who travels from his time to ours and meets single mother Torrey de Vito, and her son and father who are the current owners of the old Van Winkle property. Time Travel stories are always a safe bet and Niall Matter is a favorite of mine. Torrey Devito, not so much, but she was fine in this. Niall seems to have an air of melancholy behind his eyes, which was perfect for this role.

Most of the movie is relationship building with Rip helping Torrey's bullied son, dealing with the jealous suspicion of his rival for Torrey's affection, a police deputy, and of course the slow burn romance.

The writing was full of authentic details, bringing in Washington Irving's tale and farm machinery of the era for example. Flax Breaks--Who Knew? Not to mention Ben Wilkinson attempting to explain the science behind time travel to a stunned Torrey and a bewildered Rip.

The romantic conclusion was a little too pat, with lots of future challenges remaining unaddressed. But the reach across time, by means of a backpack, provided a reconciliation between Rip and his misunderstood father that was touching and satisfying.

This movie is not your usual Saturday night Hallmark rom/com, but then it was featured on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries which specializes in being different from the usual rom/coms.

There are some echoes of Timeless Christmas but even some differences from that story. Both movies attempt to come up with a scientific explanation that makes the stranger more than a crazy person. Both deal with his adjustments to a future world and the skepticism of those who don't take the time to know him. In this movie there is even a threat from one of those skeptics.

Torey DeVitto and Niall Matter have chemistry and their characters develop a sweet relationship.

I enjoyed the ending because I think it is just a bit unexpected.

Im not realy into Hallmark movies, but this one was such a sweet cool time travel one. The actors are likeable and it has a good story, it reminds me of the man from earth and is very dialog driven which I like.

Rip in Time felt like a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie from years ago. C. Jay Cox wrote a wonderful script directed beautifully by Jessica Harmon. The casting was perfect. Niall Matter gave a very nuanced performance as Rip and his chemistry with Torrey Devitto felt natural as did his chemistry with Eric Keenleyside and Joshua Black.

They even filmed part of the movie in New York-how great is that!

Loved it so much I actually didn't want it to end-haven't had that happen with a Hallmark movie in a while.

Really enjoyed this. It was engaging & nicely written. It was not the usual Hallmark formula and I think it gave Niall Matter a chance to really shine & stretch his talent.