Guiding Emily

This is a story of a healthy, energetic, athletic business woman who loses her sight and what happens afterwards that brings back joy to her life.

I saw the adds on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, and wanted to watch this movie. I expected that it would be uplifting, and it was. I expected there would be a love story, and there were several.

After I watched the movie, I was surprised to see that Eric McCormack ( Will from Will & Grace ) was listed as starring in it. I did not remember seeing him in it at all, and used a lot of time trying to figure out which face was his. Perhaps you will figure out right away.

I spent the beginning of the movies nervous because I didn't know when she would lose her sight, and how it would happen. Once that part was over, I could enjoy the movie.

Sarah Drew did a great job of portraying Emily. Emily is a very likeable character, and we can empathize as she goes through the trauma of losing her sight and having her world change forever.

Toby Levins is very good as Emily's fiancee Conner. He is very business focused too, and loves Emily. He tries to cope with her new reality, and be helpful and supportive. Like a real human, Conner makes some big mistakes that make the story more realistic and interesting.

The friends and co-works of Emily are a big part of the story. Everyone should have caring people like them in their lives.

About the dog... this is a separate but intertwined story. It is a bit Disney, and surprising, and fun.

The love stories... Love between Emily and her friends and coworkers, the dog's love of food and learning and Emily, a little romance...

Watch it and find out.

'Guiding Emily' is a film that will resonate with anyone who has completely or partially lost their sight, or someone having to deal with a loved one losing their sight.

Sarah Drew stars as the adventurous Emily, who loses her sight after a hiking accident. Her fiancée Connor (Toby Levins) is comforting and supportive at first, but when he realizes he would have to adapt to an entirely different lifestyle with a blind woman as his wife - and having received a job offer he can't refuse - Connor has second thoughts. This and the fact Emily now needs guidance, leaves her distraught.

But 'Guiding Emily' isn't a somber, pity movie. It is uplifting, and there are many funny moments. Many of these humorist moments are provided by the absolutely adorable dog, Garth - a Labrador guide dog. Much of the film is also told from the dog's perspective.

The film proves just how easy it is for sighted people to take sight for granted. After all, our eyes are the windows to the world. And we so seldom even consider the possibility of vision being taken away from us in a matter of seconds. With the loss of one sense, though, the other senses become more dominant - such as the sense of smell and touch.

'Guiding Emily' is a feel-good movie with good performances and a good script. It never gets too emotional and despite a few dramatic moments here and there, it remains lighthearted enough throughout so you don't need a box of tissues. Then again, Garth's cuteness might also stir happy emotion, so yeah, maybe its best to keep those tissues handy!!

The film also teaches us not to be too depressed when things go wrong. Sometimes things happen for a reason, and just maybe fate has a funny way of showing you the way to a better life...

I knew with Sarah Drew, this movie would not disappoint.

This was such a lovely movie and done so, so well.

The chemistry between Sarah and her male counterparts was fabulous all around.

Outstanding performances by all - truly.

It felt well developed and wasn't corny like many tv movies. This definitely felt levelled up.

I'm keeping this one on my PVR as I'll definitely be watching again.

(Keep the Kleenex close... I needed it multiple times.)

Having a family member losing their sight, this movie was definitely a tear jerker but also showed me how much those with sight limitations can do.

I was so looking forward to this movie. The idea and the plot sounded great. Unfortunately the actors had not done their job as an actor. I bet they haven't even researched how to be blind or even talked to a blind person. I have seen better actors acting blind. And on a probably lower budget than this movie. It was not believble. The storyline to the dog was horrible too. Oweral the producer or the script also had bad lines. With a 7.8 on IMDb I thought this would be better. But it just shows how much People really don't know about blind people or service dogs.

But hey. If you love gullible love cliché who overact love. With a simple dog to give extra points to the movie. Then yeah. This movie is for you.

Love movies where the dogs can talk!

If this one doesn't have you crying halfway through, you have no heart.

Garth, the dog, and Emily are meant to be together. But first he must go through rigorous training and be tested.

Emily lost her eyesight and she is being tested too. Her friend and her lover leave her because of her accident (that he caused) she wants to quit her job. She wants to quit life.

But her friends from work, her neighbors, and her friends, friends help her through a horrible transition.

Very well written, and well acted story. Worth your time. Specially, if you like dogs.