Hearts in the Game

Publicist Hazel Miller (Erin Cahill) promises she can get the big story about a pitcher who froze in the ninth inning of the seventh game of the World Series, but ace pitcher Diego Vasquez (Marco Grazzini) doesn't want to talk. Things are complicated by the fact that they were an item in high school. She wants to advance her career and he wants to play for the Mets, but can they get past his troubles and their unfortunate past?

Hallmark romances often have complications near the end of the story that cast doubt on the future of the romantic relationship. This one is just too obvious. But the chemistry between the stars is strong.

Feel the existing reviews are a bit low, especially when compared to similar Hallmark movies. Sure, it's predictable but actually has some heart. A lot of heart, actually.

• Great casting. The publicists assistant is especially great and very funny. Steals every scene she is in.

• Script was pretty standard fare but exceptionally executed. I would say that the B story between the publicist and her friend was unique and also very realistic.

• The cast really gave their all. There was real chemistry and they wanted to make a good movie.

• Production was also top notch (other than wardrobe). Good use of light, camera angles and music. Especially music. Was soft and minimal. They let the actors create the emotion rather than artificially through manipulative means.

If you are looking for a comfortable feel-good Hallmark movie that doesn't feel outdated, this is it! Contemporary motives, classic theme, familiar Hallmark style, and decent actors, it delivers on all fronts.

This movie however doesn't have any of the usual troubles so no mistaken identity, undisclosed fiance's, irritating rival colleagues, or big lies. This means that the movie doesn't turn sour 25 minutes before the end, which is actually a refreshing change. Still, the story does provide for the leading characters to work through some personal struggles.

There is also a very humanizing aspect to this movie. The mental health aspect of the baseball player makes this Hallmark movie up-to-date but it isn't dragged out or exagerated more than it needs to be. This keeps the movie light-hearted.

The lead actors are convincing and there is some chemistry between them. I also really enjoyed the assistent character, a real "tell-it-like-it-is" character. She doesn't fit the stereotypical image of femininity but the makers didn't exploit this. Often, the "best friend" character is also the designated gay/queer friend to check the diversity box, which often gives a rather woke vibe. I'm glad the makers didn't do that with this movie.

Overall, this movie is exactly right. It's not top quality, the storyline isn't feature film-worthy, but it's clear that this movie doesn't aspire to be more than it is either; an easy, feel-good tv movie.

For the zillionth time Hallmark proposes a movie about two school sweethearts who get reunited, years after a bad breakup. Yet, with sufficient insight and an intelligent script, even this story could have been rendered appealing. Unfortunately, the female lead character, Hazel, is mostly self-centered and somewhat hammed up by Erin Cahill. No much better is Diego, played more convincingly by Marco Grazzini. The reasons of conflict between Hazel and her friends or Diego appear flimsy and carried to excessive extremes, in order to create some sort of drama. As an example, though Diego's reason to stood up Hazel on Prom night was serious, couldn't he have called later to explain it, rather than letting a grudge last for years? Essentially, most of the situations are overplayed, which renders the characters look shallow and unlikable. And what to say about Jax, who is portrayed so unidimensionally to seem hardly human? Jax seem to live only to adore Helen, showing no interest on an independent life. "Ol' Blue", of the cherished folk song, and Stephen Foster's "Tray" pale in comparison, as example of canine devotion. I refrain from calling the production cartoonish, because cartoons often show more finesse.

Overall, there is a bit of chemistry between the lead interpreters and the show offers some degree of entertainment, enough to make it watchable. Yet, it could have been so much better!

I love Erin Cahill. At this writing, if I had to pick one rom/com star who is still active as my favorite it would be Cahill. But her last two efforts have left me disappointed. Christmas Bedtime Stories wasn't her fault, it was all the story. The story put her Danielle in a situation bound to hurt someone. In this movie, the story is again a problem. It has no creativity and is very predictable. The viewer holds on to hope that somehow the backstory mysteries will make it worthwhile, but that didn't happen for me. Meanwhile, Cahill's character Hazel's appeal is mixed. At the beginning, Hazel is a problem solver who never fails. She has the arrogance to go with it. As she and Diego spend time together, Hazel softens. By conflict time, Hazel makes a courageous decision but then becomes a wimp.

There is a secondary story about Hazel and her high school friend. This story has a nice flow but is squeezed in. It wasn't enough to spice up the whole.

Cahill and Marco Grazzini have chemistry but this also wasn't enough to raise the entire production out of the doldrums.