Arquitetura do Amor

My main problem with this one was why any home renovation show or interior designer with any taste would want to change this carpenter's cute authentic and cozy home. They wanted to rip out the hardwood floors, remove the original old wood fir tree beams and knock out the walls to make it a McMansion-style house. And they wanted to do the same to him, basically. This guy who was a casual, cheerful, very talented Carpenter who looked like a poor man's Chris Pratt. And I mean that as a compliment. However, the chemistry between the two principles was excellent and good triumphed over evil in the end. Probably doesn't deserve it, but I'm giving it 7 stars for the likability and overall appeal of the hero.

There are two things I don't like to see in a review. "Worst movie ever" or something similar. And people saying a movie is terrible while admitting they only watched 10-20 minutes. I've watched so many movies where I hated the start for any number of reasons and ended up liking the movie.

This movie started out so that I was thinking it might actually merit the statement of worst movie ever. Then a bit further I decided, maybe it just deserves worst premise ever. Then I wondered if maybe it was a parody on reality makeover shows since it was combining home makeover with a makeover of a person. I haven't completely given up on that last idea.

Here's the awful premise: oh yeah, who wouldn't want to watch a reality makeover that comes in and tells a blue collar guy that not only is his home terrible, but he is a loser personally as well. Insult the guy and expect him to take it. Not only that but force the makeover on him when he doesn't want anything changed in the first place. I loved how they snuck that contract in and not only did he not read it, but neither did Tiffany when she promised him it would be great.

They keep insulting him well into the movie. They want to force a blue collar guy into high fashion, men's style.

The acting was fairly good with the possible exception of Clayton James whose only contribution was to stand around and look either bored or disgusted. Oh and there was Johannah Newmarch's fake smile that wouldn't fool anyone.

I started to like Laura Mitchell in the second half and there was even a little chemistry developing with Dennis Andres even if it seemed like forever before they started to connect. In the first half, they didn't even have that playful banter because Tiffany was completely missing anything Brooks said or felt. Complete disconnect.

Like my title say, things start to get better the deeper we go into the movie. The climax and ending aren't half bad.

The story itself was a little formulaic and limited with characters and space due to the times we live in. I have never seen the leading man (Dennis Andres) in anything before and how refreshing he was, he had lots of onscreen charisma and a unusually masculine man for these sorts of movies. He managed to pull off the more vulnerable parts of the characters personality very well too. I would love to see him in more.

All in all a reasonable movie give the difficult circumstances of filming. It would have been improved by a better script but it was not the end of the world.

'Blueprint to the Heart' (2020)

Opening thoughts: Was really not expecting much at all from 'Blueprint to the Heart'. The main reason being the premise, which was incredibly unappealing. With it being like a reality makeover show, or a parody of one, something that sounds like hell for anybody who hates reality television. Me being one of those people. There was a little hope though, as there are films, television programmes etc that have bad premises but turn out to be watchable and more.

'Blueprint to the Heart' somehow managed to be one of those watchable and more films, though it is not going to work for all. It is a long way from perfect and there was a serious temptation to turn it off in the quarter or so. In my view though, there are a lot of good things and 'Blueprint to the Heart' really does get a lot better if stuck with. Certainly a lot better than expected, considering the premise was unappealing enough to make one question how could something halfway decent be made of it.

Bad things: As said, 'Blueprint to the Heart' starts off incredibly rough, with a very clumsy over the top reality television show feel. Thanks to some ridiculously overripe dialogue, cheese overload and a female lead character that really grated on me. A classic case of negative character traits being taken to extremes. Especially the disproportionate harshness.

Furthermore, the boyfriend character is a total jerk and serves no point to the story, merely a plot device almost completely neglected. Would have liked a good deal more chemistry between the leads, hurt by that the relationship is not featured enough and even more hurt by that one spends the first half wondering what he sees in her.

Good things: Luckily, 'Blueprint to the Heart' is made watchable primarily by the very down to earth and amiable Dennis Andres, also really liked his character and rooted for him without finding him too perfect. While finding her character significantly less easy to warm to, there is no doubting Laura Mitchell's commitment to her role and she didn't come over as trying too hard. The supporting cast are fine too.

Moreover, the film looks attractive enough, slickly filmed with beautiful scenery. The music fits the tone and type of film well, with no intrusiveness. The script does get a lot better, it does get less awkward and tones down the cheesiness and over the top-ness, without going too far the other way. The story has light hearted-ness and charm and didn't feel dull.

Closing thoughts: Overall, a lot better than expected.

6/10.

The two leads do an effective job in this low budget fast shoot movie.

Laura Mitchell is particularly attractive in a nonthreatening way and her acting gives "Wife Material" vibes as intended for the movie.

(Lots of words to say that she is convincing in her role.)

Dennis Andres is as charming as he can and very effective at taking his character from a carefree with no sense of responsibilities ("Star Lord/Chris Pratt" Guardian of the Galaxy), to a more mature person.

The vehicle for this transformation being a reality TV show, lends itself well for them to explore each other's personalities and grow.

The cinematography is adequate.

The soundtrack is acceptable.

The editing is done professionally.

For a low budget movie shot in 30 days, this was a good entry into the genre.