Romance Retreat

There is actually a pretty cute love story here but it buried in the exaggerated search for spiritual liberation at a yoga retreat where the story takes place. Strangely, I didn't turn it off but having the ability to fast forward is a requirement to make it through to the cute ending. At least it was for me

Funny script especially for what people are assuming is a Hallmark-type movie. It has nothing much in common with your typical Hallmark or Hallmark-clone templates other than that it is a romantic comedy. It has some wit and a lot to say about the Yoga and new-age culture which it fondly sends up along with the journalistic tabloid ethic that will sacrifice truth and fairness in favor of click-bait.

Dana, a workaholic journalist is going on vacation with her fed-up-with-her boyfriend. Because she is so cluelessly obsessed with her career and her phone, rather than paying attention to real life, she thinks she is going to an Indonesian Beach while she ends up in the wilds of Canada with no cell service or internet. Amanda Shull does a great job, exposing our heroines unattractive traits and mindset while still making her likable. We root for her (while we are rolling our eyes at early her behavior) as her character changes and grows.

In Canada, she finally gets dumped by the guy that brung her due to her attitude and neglect. She ends up becoming friendly with an incognito tech genius/millionaire that she is coincidentally doing an expose' on. Hilarity and a sweet romance ensues.

Stefan, the love interest is played by Morgan David Jones who is either Tom "Draco Malfoy" Felton's doppelganger, or his better-looking older brother. I would be favorable disposed in his behalf because of this resemblance anyway, but his performance does not disappoint.

This is not a Hallmark movie. In addition to the witty and funny script and the out-of -the-box subject matter, The director is the late Steve DiMarco. He was a respected if eccentric television director of a legit and large body of work and not in the Hallmark "stable." He passed away last month. RIP. Please note the 2 contributions of the bitter reviewer who came on here solely to bash him. It makes one wonder.

I am indifferent about yoga , I am out of subject about.tech domain .

But I like this film.

First, for the crumbs of old fashion romance, reflected, in some measure, by dialogue.

Second, for humor, the venerable couple having his role not small in that.

Not the last, for the charm of Stefan , nice proposed by. Morgan David Jones and for neurosis of Dana , not bad acted by Amanda Schull.

The bad things, obvious, a lot, the predictable recipe, like the fake end being the most remarkable.

But, sure, it is Hallmark.

And the film, saved by few drops of realism and, i repet, a tinny dose of humor - so, precious, Ian being includet , like the portrait of Charming prince of XXI century are just acceptable.

I found this a difficult film to watch and didn't get far into it. The plot was your standard romance fayre, predicable and inoffensive. The difficultly arose from the main character Diana Willingham, who came across as a deeply unpleasant and self centred person who treaded her boyfriend pretty badly. They go on a trip together which is supposed to be the launch pad to love and romance. The only problem is that I found myself hoping that the boyfriend either ran away or found a refuge for abused men. The underlying premise of the film was I'm sure meant to be interesting, but if you don't engage your audience in the first few minutes then you've lost them for good. This was a film with potential that was sadly not realised.

Enjoyable comedy/ romance story. Nice characters, nice story, nice film. Nice bit of skepticism thrown in. Well worth a watch.