Shifting Gears

Sorry to say that the film was not what i hoped.... Like " An unexpected christmas" or "Time for him to come home" and some other Tyler Hynes movies, that pulls you in make you feel whatever they are feeling makes you want to watch again and again, you laugh and cry with them. That what makes you want to watch a film.

The story far from capturing you, you feel left out, the male wardrobe was very poor, if you go back and check the old films you will see the balance and tasty combinations. Between the actors difficult to feel the electricity. I am not an expert but i watch with my being all the films. Film must have a soul if not, actors cannot do a lot. I like both the actors but because i like them cannot say that i like the film.

Hope to see Tyler Hynes in better written screenplays, scripts he can act that we know.

As the title suggests, this Hallmark romance has an automotive theme. Luke (Tyler Hynes) and Jess (Katherine Barrell) work on cars for competing garages. The two of them have a romantic history, but Jess now prefers cars over men, because they never disappoint. Emotions between them are further complicated by the fact that the two garages, owned by their fathers, also have a deep history.

The chemistry between the two leads is not off the charts, but the story really leans into the auto restoration contest that Luke and Jess enter. And Jess's father really needs the prize money to bail their garage out of existential financial problems. Still, as the contest goes on, old feelings are reignited, and Jess begins to allow Luke into her heart.

As always in a Hallmark film, a conflict arises in the eleventh hour, throwing a wrench into their love affair. But the viewer knows that love will overcome in the world where romance wears the crown.

In the final minutes, there is a resolution that promises not just a reconciliation, but also a brighter future. Even grease monkeys deserve love in Hallmark land.

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.

6.8 stars.

Whenever Hallmark does one of these reality tv show attempts, it usually falls flat. I can't recall many that worked for me. Something about how they incorporate the elements of a reality tv show (in this case it's competition show about remodeling classic cars and showing off auto mechanic skills), comes off as really cheesy and fake.

This woman is supposedly the best mechanic around and helps her dad run his shop. The man is played by Hynes and he does the same schtick that is displayed in almost half of his roles: bad boy, biker, blue-collar, cool as a cucumber...In this story he supposedly wronged her many years back, but he feels bad and she has some minor struggles dealing with it. But she seems to get over it pretty fast. Of course they are both contestants in the competition.

This is a slightly below average attempt for me. It's unfortunate, because I really like both actors a whole bunch, but the chemistry is non-existent. Oh well, can't win 'em all.