Love on a Limb

Agree Ashley Williams can be OTT.

This spoils the movie somewhat but she does settle down a bit towards the end.

I noticed she was an executive producer so maybe the director was a bit hamstrung in controlling her overacting Thank goodness for Trevor Donovan as a stabilising force.

The plot was a little un Hallmark like but did have a bit more substance than their normal offering.

More like this would be a good move for Hallmark?

Had to smile at the park's war memorial.

Supposedly set in the USA the dates on it were 1914-1918 and 1939-1945.

I think the USA was involved a little later than this in both cases.

So obviously Canadian location.

Aimie Roarke (Ashley Williams) is a tireless do-gooder at the town's Park & Rec department. Her mother Zee (Marilu Henner) is struggling with debt after the death of her husband two years earlier. The arrival of hunky landscaper Kyle Sorenson (Trevor Donovan) brings not-good news as the mayor plans to cut down Aimie's beloved old tree in the town square. She decides to chain herself to the tree.

This is a Hallmark movie with two beautiful people and not a compelling story between them. There is never in doubt about the romance and they don't have much of a hurdle. The mayor is the villain and Kyle is not really an obstacle. Quite frankly, the mayor is the worst villain possible. It's not that he has an evil plan. He just doesn't want to deal with her. He's like a bureaucrat without a brain. As a mayor, one would figure he would be interested in those voters backing Aimie. Other than the father story, there isn't much emotional weight. Williams is relying solely on her Cheshire Cat smile. If it could invent some better villainy, the story may be salvaged. What if it turns out there are no pipes. What if it turns out to be a plan to cut down the tree to make a parking space for himself or turn it into a building named after himself. It's hard to root for this movie when the solution is so simplistic and the hurdles are so low.

I have to agree with the previous reviewer (smithduke) re his comments on Ashley Williams in this title. She 'shouts' her lines in all her movies, is manic in her style of acting, and this one is no different. The Directors she works with need to calm her down.

The film has a good storyline, and is held together by the measured and quiet acting method of the other actors, particularly Trevor Donovan.

Let me start off by saying, Ashley Williams, was incredibly annoying in this movie. Her acting was so over-the-top "perky," even when she's trying to be serious.

The premise of the movie is that Amiee (Ashley Williams) is attempting to save a tree that has special meaning to her. The mayor has hired Kyle Sorenson (Trevor Donovan) to do the job. Amiee takes it upon herself to stop Kyle.

I love Trevor Donovan's acting (is there nothing this guy can't do?) and he, along with Marilu Henner saved the movie.

It was pleasant enough to watch, but I truly had a hard time getting past my annoyance with Ashley Willaims. Others may feel differently.

Four Fall Harvest films were made in 2016, have noticed that of all the seasonal blocks for all the years between 2015-2021 the Fall Harvest block has always been the briefest. The other three, particularly 'Pumpkin Pie Wars' (review to come), were above average. The concept did sound quite sweet in 'Love on a Limb', though very typical. Trevor Donovan has really grown on me, wasn't sure about him when first watching his work (more recent than this though) but he is very charming and likeable when the role is well written. Ashley Williams is a bit take and leave.

Of the Fall Harvest films, 'Love on a Limb' is the weakest easily for me and there is not much to add to what has been said very well already. There were worse Hallmark films from 2016 (have named them more than once in previous reviews), but also a lot better. 'Love on a Limb' was not an awful film to me, but there was nothing really special about it at the same time and somewhat middle of the pack. Donovan and Marilu Henner fans will be delighted, anybody who isn't so keen on Williams are not going to be converted watching her performance here.

Donovan is in no way one of 'Love on a Limb's' issues. In fact he is the best aspect, his easy going and understated performance gave the film a lot of charm. Henner sparkles in a zesty yet also sincere turn. Her and Donovan's characters are the most interesting and easiest to connect with characters. The supporting cast are solid.

'Love on a Limb' looks lovely too, especially the colourful scenery. The music is pleasant enough too, not being constant or too loud. There are charming, light hearted and heart filled moments.

Williams however really doesn't work. She overacts dreadfully as an increasingly annoying and neurotic character, one that has flaws that are exaggerated with no signs of real growth, and has the same overdone mannerisms throughout the film. Some not making sense within certain scenes (including a fixed wide smile in scenes meant to be emotional). She and Donovan's chemistry lacks spark and is both underwritten and too low key, with any developments being too late and rushed.

Story-wise, 'Love on a Limb' certainly has moments, but it is also very formulaic with nothing fresh and also suffers from a lack of tension (other than some strained and under-cooked conflict that never convinces) and a very over simple and too pat ending that didn't feel deserved. It also can drag. The script does not always flow and can be cheesy.

In summary, watchable but very average. 5/10.