Just One Kiss

'Just One Kiss' is the second film in the newly introduced, as of 2022, Spring Into Love seasonal block that had replaced the Spring Fever/Spring Fling one(s). The first being the decent if uneven 'A Second Chance at Love'. It is always nice to have a break from the Hallmark regulars every now and again, and it was interesting to have Broadway actors/singers in the lead roles (in fact 2022 had more non-Hallmark regulars leads than most previous years). Did like the premise.

And it is done well here in 'Just One Kiss'. It is not a great or perfect film (none of the 2022 Hallmark films are, or any of their output), but as far as 2022 Hallmark films go it is one of the better ones and was refreshing. Definitely an improvement over 'A Second Chance at Love', no annoying characters for example here. Nice to have a more musical-oriented film, which really played to the two leads' significant vocal talents, and do it as well as it does. Definitely worth watching at least once.

Do agree that the misunderstanding is extremely predictable and felt very contrived, not uncommon with Hallmark but this was one of the worst faring examples of the 2022 output.

The ending did feel really rushed as well as too convenient. Do agree too that Santino Fontana had some awkward moments early on.

Having said all of that, a lot is good. It is a very attractively photographed film with lovely scenery. The music is catchy and upbeat while also having soul in all the right places, that it is exceptionally well performed by the leads (both experienced music theatre performers). Fontana's acting does improve and becomes a good deal more charming and relaxed. Krysta Rodriguez is a joy throughout and a breath of fresh air. Their chemistry is genuine and very sweet and perky, and mostly their characters were worth connecting with.

Supporting cast are all solid with no exception and their characters while typical are neither dull or irritating. The writing is playfully light-hearted while taking the more serious moments seriously, without going into morose land. The story is far from perfect or original, but it is very upbeat and energetic and the charm and warm hearted factors are very high.

Overall, liked it a good deal while not loving it. 7/10.

There's a lot of great things to appreciate about Just One Kiss if you can get past the first 10 minutes. The male lead (Santino Fontana) doesn't exactly shine at first and there's an extended and infuriating scene in a movie theater with people talking like they're in a loud bar. Such a heavy, heavy dose of rude, inconsiderate thoughtlessness doesn't do the movie's key characters any favors.

You also have to overlook the exaggerated displays of mood killing self pity that show up right after the manufactured misunderstanding trope that often gets forced into these movies in the 4th quarter to create conflict just as the romance starts heating up (although I did like the quiet commentary exchanged between the 2 female students)

But, in between, there's some well written and well played banter and sparkling repartee between the leads (Krysta Rodriguez is particularly good and Fontana will grow on you). Their mothers are played by skilled veteran character actors Ileana Douglas and Aida Turturro (with a twist) and the movie features a normalized gay couple (Matty Finochio does a nice job as the level headed gay friend with common sense).

I've been defensive about the unfair criticisms that "all Hallmark movies are the same." We want those movies to depict romantic stories, between attractive and likeable leads, that reaffirm important values like love, family, friendship, and personal growth, with a few laughs along the way. And we want happy endings, new movies every year, and lots of them. But it's not easy to come up with something different while honoring the tried and true (and lucrative) formula that has made the Hallmark Channel the huge ratings success that it is.

And that's why Just One Kiss should be forgiven for its few missteps. It seems very different both in terms of the story and the style (like the dream sequences). And there was no sugar coating the realities of a painful divorce, and the even more painful chore of giving a child of that divorce an honest explanation. The few Hallmark movies with kids that break from the convenient dead parent trope and acknowledge divorce, usually do so by having the ex conveniently on assignment in Finland, or by presenting a healthy, but usually unrealistic, approach to co-parenting where everyone gets along great. Not here.

And while I wasn't wowed by the opening rendition of It Had To Be You (even though that's a great song), the performance and placement of Gershwin's classic Someone To Watch Over Me was quite beautiful, as was the use of Fly Me To The Moon.

Another reviewer, who inexplicably gave the movie one star because it "didn't make sense", actually raised a few valid points. But then that reviewer undercut those points by revealing a narrow mind and a complete lack of understanding of what "woke" means and using it in a pejorative way (it means being alert to injustice). Nick shouldn't have done what he did, but being gay doesn't necessarily mean that person is "woke" and there was nothing in the movie relating to any social issues of injustice. Plus, there are, sadly, plenty of gay people who have their own intolerant prejudices and are blind to injustice when it doesn't affect them personally.

And that reviewer missed the main reason why Mia wouldn't take back the alcoholic ex husband; he repeatedly lied to Mia and had failed to turn his life around, despite repeated attempts. Apparently, things got so bad, they lost their home. That's no small thing. When trust is lost, it's usually fatal to a troubled marriage.

That said, Hallmark movies often create worlds in which many of the financial realities of life are ignored unless they're plot points that drive the story. People often live in lovely homes that they couldn't possibly afford. A nice 2 bedroom apartment in Brooklyn near the water with a view of the bridge would cost around $7,000-$10,000/month. I don't know what an English professor with 20 kids in her class makes, but if she lost her home when her husband lost his job because she couldn't afford to pay the mortgage, it seems unlikely that she makes enough to afford $7,000-10,000/month. And there's no way the lounge singer across the hall can afford that either. But hey, if these 2 move in together, that might make it more affordable.

Also, Mia is referred to as an "ex wife" after they visit an attorney together. But then she balks at signing the "divorce papers" until the end of the movie. And just signing such "papers" doesn't instantly make you divorced. In fact, the "papers" that she signed were actually part of a California Judicial Council form for Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (the producers probably figured no one would notice and realize it wasn't a New York form). And that Petition, once filed, STARTS the process. It doesn't end it.

Finally, here are some lines I liked:

"Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect." quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"For so many of us, when it comes to love, the journey from aspiration to fulfillment is a very bumpy road."

"Music is like a magical elixir."

"We tell people how to treat us by what we're willing to tolerate and I was just tired of being lied to."

"Stab the body and it heals, but injure the heart and the wound lasts a lifetime." quoting Mineko Iwasaki.

If it weren't for the fact that this is slightly post-1990s TV-movie-ish (it is a TV movie, after all) and thus not quite as smooth, sleek, and developed as it might otherwise be, this would be a full 5 out of 5 stars! TV movies from the 1990s and before tended to be as good as anything seen in theaters, because the lighting, the musical score, and the cast made them so. But, this one, while still a product of its time, does seem more like the TV movies of the past than any I've seen this past decade or so!

This is honestly one of the best TV movies I've ever seen, and certainly the best Hallmark romcom I've ever seen! In fact, I would say this is the best romcom in general (theatrical release or not) of the decade so far!

Say what you will about the faults of the past, but if art reflects life at all, they did something right way back when, to create some of the most wholesome movies and music this world has ever known during the "golden age of Hollywood" and old Broadway, and we have never been as wholesome or romantic since. This movie recognizes and honors that wholesomeness by paying tribute to it in the love of its lead characters.

If you are a romantic and old movie buff like me, you will be awed at how much you relate to these characters, their shared love of classic b&w cinema, and old-time classic song standards. All this set against the backdrop of cozy old New York apartment buildings that harken back to the eras these characters watch so adoringly on the screen, and you have all the makings of a winner! This really was THAT GOOD!

I came upon this movie by chance, as it was one of those suggested for fans of the film "Random Encounter" (2013) that I had just watched, and being that there are an endless array of suggested movies at our fingertips these days, I almost passed right by it. But, the look of the leading lady stopped me in my tracks and I knew I had to see it!

Yes, you can have love at first sight, because when I first laid eyes on the leading lady of this film and saw the commercial for it, I knew it was for me! She reminded me of Joan Jett circa 1991-93 (the way she looked in her episode of "Highlander"). My Joanie!! I just kept thinking of Joan the whole time, and it made me love this even more. There was even a mention of Elvis, and the inclusion of the song "New York, New York" first made famous by Joanie's favorite actress and friend, Liza Minnelli. Plus, the leading man was a singer with fans, just like my Joanie! And the leading lady is a poetry buff, and I am a poet. So, this feels like OUR movie- and thus, I just can't say enough good things about it!

This is basically a Nora Ephron knockoff, and I love it! And no, I DID NOT see that twist at the end coming! What a sweet surprise that brought tears to my eyes!! Gosh, I love a good twist!!

This movie will make you feel nostalgic for a time we never had, and for the people we hardly have left (those kind of old folks are almost long gone by now), but it will also make you glad to be alive, thanks to all that talk of fate, the universe, and things happening for a reason- which is a really special balance. Yes, I'd say this is a Godwink movie!

I recommend this to fans of old Hollywood, romcoms, those who like to see more mature love stories (as opposed to teens or 20-30 year-olds), and those who believe in Godwinks.

If you liked "The Mirror Has Two Faces" (1996), "Serendipity" (2002), "Only the Lonely" (1991), and "Curtain Call" (1998), you'll love this!

UPDATE: As of 7:06 AM today 12/24/2022, I just found out that the leading lady who caught my eye and reminded me of my Joanie had actually portrayed Joanie's fave actress Liza in the Netflix mini-series "Halston". Wow- so when I said she reminded me of my Joanie, I was really onto something!

It's definitely worth watching, but all of the 10 out of 10 reviews are overselling the movie. It's good, not great.

I didn't like the bit about the mothers, although I could see lots of people enjoying them. The lead woman, though an interesting character, was overly sour. Her early exchanges with the lead man were heavily tinged with negativity. There were also a lot of coincidences (ex. Everyone bumps into each other in little old NYC) that could leave a viewer rolling their eyes.

But it's a Hallmark romance after all, and we all know the deal when watching these. I think this movie exceeds the average in this genre and delivers on the main selling points. The dialogue in the script and the acting were very good.

This was a really good romantic TV movie. Very original, well acted, and a bit of old Frank can never hurt. You always know how a Hallmark movie ends, but this journey was better than most. Very enjoyable.