Falling Together

Hallmark's recent foray into what I always think of as After School Specials for adults. In addition to rom coms taking place in fictitious countries still ruled by royals or predicated on amnesia, widowhood, or broken down modes of transportation, Hallmark has a steady sideline in message-driven movies. In this case, the unlikely storyline is Alzheimer's awareness awkwardly shoehorned into a plot about a woman obsessed with developing community in a condo building. The two "leads" are the building superintendent who has been SCARRED by CARING and thus is aggressively isolated and an overly giving self denying college admissions officer who doesn't work ever because she has moved to town 6 weeks early SOLELY to get to KNOW THE NEIGHBORS - in Pittsburgh - cue the Mr. Rogers jokes. She becomes overly involved in an Alzheimers awareness walk while also endlessly insisting on new and fun ways to create COMMUNITY in her condo building. While the message is nice, the execution is horrible. The movie makes little to no sense. Perhaps a movie about a person WITH Alzheimers might have been a better idea? Or about caregiver? IDK anything but this unholy marriage of weird storylines.

It's hard to believe that this Saturday night, premier Hallmark movie was thought to be appropriate for intelligent adult viewers. An after-school teen club might have learned something from the film's message about kindness to neighbors, openness to new friendships, understanding of each individual's personal issues. But to mold a movie around such a very simple, almost childish concept for an adult audience at a prime time showing seems strangely illogical.

Paul Campbell is a sophisticated, polished actor, writer, director. It was almost embarrassing to see him portray such a weak, almost pathetic character. His scruffy appearance was not respectful of the fine, sophisticated actor he is

Ashley Williams needs to be advised to"tone it down". Her excessive smiling and chatting does not befit the mature, talented actress she is. She came across a almost manic, over-the-top with her big smiles, excessive dialogue, and endless bright-eyed energy.

This viewer was left wondering what Hallmark had in mind. Compared to the typical Hallmark story, romantic themes, problem-solving stories,, this film fell flat. This viewer didn't make it to the end of the movie. After the aging father told his story and history, explaining the situation in the condo, the moment to move on simply came quickly and the channel was changed.

Apologies for my first ever negative review. There was no logic for this film to be made, much less to be shown at the one hour that loyal viewers always anticipate and look forward to, prime time Saturday night. We loyal Hallmark fans look forward to better planning and decisions.

Ashley Williams was lovely in this fall-centric Hallmark romance and Paul Campbell was an excellent foil or calm to her exuberant enthusiasm, but the real star was Rryla McIntosh who played the beautiful and quirky Drea.

Natalie moves from Florida to the city of brotherly love (aka Philadelphia) and finds her condominium complex is filled with anything but. She decides to try to bring her neighbors together and she eventually ropes the handsome young super Mark into helping reluctantly. Natalie befriends the local diner owner and pie maker, Rryla and volunteers for a local walk for Alzheimer's befriending Lynda Payne in the process. The Alzheimer's cause is near and dear to Lynda's heart and I think the addition of this cause was the heart of this romance which seems to be built around finding a balance between "me time" and bringing community together.

Overall, I think the message was good and I liked the fall backdrop. The two main characters supported each other well. I always find it funny to hear so many Canadian accents in the heart of America, but maybe others don't hear it?

Kind of a middle of the road Hallmark romance, but I think their core fans will enjoy it.

Sadly even Hallmark movies have produced some meaningless and mindless entertainment. This was very meaningful and shows how the Fracture of our society can lead to desperate consequences. Ashley Williams was the perfect person to play the lead role as a bright eyed uplifting person. Paul Campbell as always, adds a touch of compassion in whatever movie he plays. Yes I know, in this hyped up world, people are too skitish to sit through something that is meaningful. You might realize that you're out of sync with what's important in the world. This movie is important not only for highlighting Alzheimer's but how we can learn to get along with one another.

Nice try on a seasonal film form Hallmark. They have way too many Christmas movies, and not enough fall/Halloween movies.

This one is a quite sad example of cheesy Hallmark romance.

I usually like Ashley Williams, but her character - a new tennant who tries to make all the neighbours friends - is way too pushy. It just doesn't look natural. A agree, she comes more as a maniac than as a cute little helper.

Paul Campbell got a better character - her building supervisor - who seems quite real. The problem is those two don't match. No chemistry as friends, let alone romance or sexual tension.

Rryla McIntosh as Drea is the best - an upbeat character who is effortlessly happy. The character doesn't seem over the top, the acting isn't forced.

I tried to feel fall in this movie, but it was so obvious that the small trees by the entrance, on the farmers market, etc. Were plastic... Sad, sad, sad.