Another day and another Reel One Entertainment TV movie in 2023 season. This one actually had big potential to be above average for a romance TV movie, but ultimately it's just average which is truly disappointing.
The movie has some serious technical issues. There is above average number of bad cuts - at least 5-6 outright bad one plus the number of less one noticable. There is barely any loud background music when cast talk/speak which is good, but overal music score is barely passable - it's not bad like some other ROE TV movies in 2023 season, but it's a far cry from the past seasons. There is a huge issue with a location - they used stock footage of Chicago, and it was said several times it takes place there, except it was shot somewhere in BC, Canada, and to me looks like around Kelowna. It is so detached from Chicago look - at least when they shot in Hamilton it has some resemblance.
The fake location introduced big elephant in the room - there is not a single black or Hispanic member of the cast, and yet movie supposedly takes place in Chicago. Really? Even for extras, there is maybe one or two blacks. There is Symun who plays Paige, but she is clearly mixed (black/white). The movie should take place in OR or WA. Basically Chicago is potrayed like a white urban West Coast city, just like is in BC, Canada.
There are also various smaller or bigger immersion killers, but let me just describe two obvious one. In Act I, Katya who is car mechanics worked under car with her long hair which is ridiculous as it would get dirty super fast. Women is the less dirty environment tangle their hair. Then there is overused boring wardobe change scene so they just fill time because they have no idea how to properly execute. They even crammed it in a trailer.
Everything above is why I'm highly disappointed because overall movie premise and writing are all right, and the cast is great (ignoring Chicago failure). I mean, Marlie Collins, Madison Smith, Sheila Tyson and Ella May Cannon are really good core cast. Unfortunately, Ella Cannon had limited screen time, but on the other hand, she and Madison can easily pass as siblings. The same can be said for Sheila who can pass as a Marlie's mom. This is the texbook of great casting. And finally ROE TV movie where Marlie Collins is a lead actress - she is way better than most of the other their lead actresses. Also, Marlie and Sheila played obviously Russian descendants as their names are Katya and Mila, and surname is Chekhov. Acting was overall fine, no serious issues.
Obligatory don't watch trailer because it's ROE as for some reason(s) trailer has to show whole movie compressed.
