A Whitewater Romance

The premise is fine, but typically formulaic. While I'm sure Cindy Busby is very nice, it seems she's caught in the same formula and it's very tiring. After a while, all I can hear is her squeaky voice whining about some challenge she's facing.

This could have been a much better movie with a different actress, hopefully, someone that displays more bravado. The writers should work to break the formula and incorporate a little less cutesy and more drama. I don't specifically dislike the happy ending, but the route to get there seems like a hike in a flat trail, whereas a good hike incorporates hills, narrow passes, and tripping hazards. Let's see more like that.

Absolutely the worst plot and the cheesiest acting I've ever seen from Hallmark. Cindy Busby seemed very trite and fake the entire movie. The overall plot and theme of this show was confusing and never really explained well. There was no real chemistry between Busby and Hollingsworth. The other actors were just as bad with no real direction or believability. The only star was given for the scenery. I noticed Busby produced this movie and I hope that's not the reason it's so bad. She is normally well liked by me in most rolls she has had especially in Heartland. There is a lot of repetitive storylines on Hallmark. This definitely wasn't that but failed miserably at trying to find an alternative to those repeats.

So I have watched this movie for 40mins, that's 39mims too much. I just couldn't do anymore.

The backdrop was stunning that is the only positive I have.

Hallmark generally want us to suspend belief so I did expect a ridiculous storyline BUT so many holes in this story plot - number one who goes on a wilderness trip on one day's notice! With no research! And without appropriate gear! And why would Matt find anything attractive about Maya - she's stupid judgemental and hello you are out in nature tie your hair back!!

The main problem with this film is the lead. Cindy will always only be a Hallmark actress she only has a limited range she always acts the exact same way in every role she acts in. Dull and predictable.

I love Hallmark movies and get they are not realistic but this movie is ridiculous. No business event would invite you to a retreat with a day's notice. And if it's a team building event for a national company, there would be more than 4 individuals. Plus they have never worked with each other and don't appear they will be working side by side afterwards. The concept of expecting such an inexperienced person to participate in camping, whitewater rafting, and other outdoors events with no guidance is absurd. How did this show get approved and make it all the way to production? I couldn't handle it any more agter 40 minutes.

I am just surprised that the aggregate IMDb rating is so high. As of this writing, there are 8 other 1 star reviews and the highest review is a 2 star. It's well deserved.

I'm not a fan of Cindy Busby. She has no depth and usually seems to play the same flaky people. Interesting that the one notable exception for her is also with Benjamin Hollingsworth in Another Christmas Coincidence (aka Godwink: Meant for Love). Busby's performance here is bad even for her. She is so over the top, especially in the first few scenes.

Another reviewer noted that you don't send someone on a wilderness experience with no notice (less than a day). Then you blame her for being late when she had to fly over half the country to get there!!! And penalize her in a break-the-ice game as a result. If Busby's earlier scenes didn't already have me upset, this just adds on. The story continues to be bad for a while yet and it makes Mia into a very unlikeable character. Such a wimp. Mia is so lame that it might have been funny, but I didn't laugh at all. You know that will change as the story goes on.

So many of these movies have a boss ranging from annoyingly demanding to downright unethical. Marilyn is the latter. I found it disgusting that she suggests making one of Mia's colleagues lose his glasses in order to handicap him in the competitions.

BTW: such great cellphone service in the middle of this wilderness. And at least one key plot point is based on it.