Dating the Delaneys

Let me say that I love The Hallmark Channel and I really liked the actors in this one.... BUT. The main characters with the exception of the grandmother are completely clueless. I found myself wanting to slap both Maggie and Emma. The amount of atrocious behavior they both put up with from their love interests was just unrealistic. Any normal person would have told these men to bugger off. Hallmark romance movies are typically written to include the big misunderstanding and when there's about 3 minutes left in the movie, it's everyone gets their happily ever after but this one was completely dragged on and just not believable. Michael and John's character were way too tolerant. No man would stick around if the women they're interested in acted this clueless. If I had to sum this movie up in one word, it would be LAME.

Maggie Delaney (Rachel Boston) is a divorcee and a "single mother" of two. She has not been on a date in twenty years, but she decides to try dating when she sees her widowed mother and her teenage daughter dating. Everyone, it seems, is sticking a toe into the dating pool with little real-life experience. Maggie's nervousness is abated somewhat when a friend, Michael Taylor (Paul Campbell), suggests that they go on pretend dates and critique each other's game.

Hallmark romance fans can see where this is going already, which is fine. There is plenty of humor in this story about the three generations. The relationship between Maggie and Michael is fairly comedic, as they tease each other and share jokes. The writing is good, yielding dialogue that is fun and upbeat.

Rachel Boston is the keystone of the film, providing a cheerfulness that does not flag, even when her character deals with things that annoy her. There may not be a lot of depth in this story, but it is enjoyable.

I love both Rachel Boston and Paul Campbell, they are the best thing about this film. Their banter and silly puns somehow work because of their chemistry and charm.

This is the story of three generations of Delaneys, who are at very different places in their lives...but all are "starting to date". Maggie Delaney is at the heart of this story as a divorcee who is finally ready to dip her toe into the dating pool and her friend Michael Taylor is happy to help her "practice" her dating skills. Maggie's daughter is chasing after a high school boy who doesn't seem interested, while the new kid in her class seems to only have eyes for her. Finally Maggie's mom brings in a surprise for her daughter as she has a new man in her life as well.

Must love corny puns to truly appreciate this romance that is heavy on baking and support.

This is mostly a typical story with some minor differences. In ways, it's not a lot different than the last movie starring Boston and Campbell, The Last Bridesmaid. The leads hang together avoiding any sense they are dating each other. In this one, they knew each other already and decide to help each other enter the dating market by "practicing". Add to that story a daughter that has a crush but spends time with her lab partner and grandmother who already is well on her way to a new beau.

Boston and Campbell have great chemistry together. Any couple who can banter the "bad" jokes and puns so smoothly has to have chemistry. They have tons of fun together and the audience tags along.

The ex-husband is there mostly as a stereotype of an absolutely terrible dad. He was a little too much.

There are no great highs or lows and definitely no surprises but the movie is still fun.

I watched this movie for the third time the other night and I was impressed. Maybe I'm slow on the uptake. The main two characters took their time and warmed up to one another, gradually. These two are wounded ducks, so to speak, each having lost a spouse and that makes them cautious about love and commitment. Both have children which makes things even more complicated and their slowness in realizing that they are attracted to one another is natural. The puns the two main characters tossed back and forth was at first mildly awkward for me but when you are dating and comfortable you let down your guard and let the real person out. I do recommend this movie but you need to be patient and let it unfold.