Shifting Gears

The leads were not a good match and had no chemistry. The female lead was not even likeable, much less appealing. I didn't buy their relationship for a second and am not sure why she was cast in that role. When they were skating they looked silly. I think that Julie Gonzalo would have been a much better choice as she and Tyler Hynes have great chemistry together. I also didn't buy the guy playing Tyler Hyne's father. The get to know you segment on the tv show was super cringey even for a Hallmark movie. I actually think just about any other female in the Hallmark universe would have been a better fit for the female lead than the one they cast.

In my over 2000+ reviews here (ouch,) I have repeatedly discussed the Great Canadian X-Mas Movie Factory, and the Great Canadian Rom Com Machine. Canada's film sector was jump-started decades ago based on changes to their tax code. Who would have imagined that, half a century later, their film output is best known for Santa Claus and soap operas? This one checks all the boxes, the dialog is adequate, and the story is predictable but pleasant. The two oddities are ... (1) viewers checking out the film because of the car angle will be disappointed. Most of if not all of the technical bits are complete nonsense. Memo to producers -- next time, spend $20 on a technical script consultant. And (2) Canadian Tyler Hynes has an edge to his acting which he keeps well hidden because his agent has him doing mainly rom-coms. But one gets the feeling there is an action hero hiding in there somewhere, something he should explore when possible. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

I grew up a tomboy and automobile enthusiast. I love stories about female mechanics and restorers, but I expect them to be accurate. For instance, a 1954 Chevy should have a 235 cid inline six cylinder engine. Chevy didn't sell a V-8 until 1955. A 1947-8 Plymouth had a generator, not an alternator. These mistakes occur early on, which distracted me from the romance plot, and were hers. Was it sloppy writing or thinly disguised sexism?

There was humor to balance the tension, and a cute roller skating dance routine. The actors performed their characters well. Too bad the research didn't support the script. Having said that, I still recommend the movie. Just forgive the inaccuracies.

Tyler Hynes is the best leading man that Hallmark have on their books hands down.

With his droll sarcastic humour, he has the ability to make even the cheesiest line or the most wooden leading lady look good.

He can also elevate thinner material into looking better than it actually is, and that's a skill he has to utilise here, as 'Shifting Gears' relies heavily on him to drag it through.

It's not a film that deviates too far from the standard Hallmark format, and while that's comfortable, it needed perhaps another extra element to elevate it a little more from being just 'ok'.

Was the car show broadcasting live or was it being pre-recorded? The film never seems to know either.

Overall, Hynes manages to make the most of a lesser project.

Jess Barro (Katherine Barrell) works at her family's garage and teaches car maintenance to other women. They have fallen on hard times. A TV producer offers her a spot on a $50k competition show. She is surprised when her ex Luke Childs (Tyler Hynes) becomes a last-minute replacement contestant.

I love Barrell, She has a happy cute comedic style. She should be good at doing these types of light Hallmark rom-coms. Tyler Hynes is fine although I wish that he is a couple of inches taller. Maybe he can wear lifts to level up to Barrell. All the car repairs and TV competition stuff is a little less. Simply put, I wouldn't watch this TV show if it's a real thing. This is fine.