Breakup Boot Camp

Based on the commercials, I didn't expect to like this movie, but I like both Italia Ricci and Ryan Paevey a lot, so I gave it a chance. Both of the actors did a great job and the story was good. I'd watch again.

The story uses a couple of common premises. Reporter does a hit piece. A break up boot camp is a slightly different take on: romance expert has her own romance problems. Throw in the trope of: can't date a client so we're just friends.

The reporter angle usually goes one of two ways and this follows one of them.

Ryan Paevey and Italia Ricci connect from early on. Watching them together was enjoyable. Their conversations are a little deeper than in some of these movies.

...I was expecting this to be terrible, but I was surprised.

Miranda runs a Breakup Boot Camp, where you get over getting dump in six weeks. Ben's girlfriend breaks up with him and his sister convinces him to go there with her. So our two leads meet. At first, Ben was quite skeptical (so was I) but seeing an opportunity for a job promotion and after running into his ex, he decides to attend.

It's nothing we haven't seen before, you know how this goes from the first moment, but the leads have good scenes and believable chemistry. And yes, I thought the plot was stupid at first (people paying to get over a break up?) but amazingly, it made sense (Maybe it was Italia Ricci's acting convincing me). Although I kept being distracted, my attention always returned to the screen.

Also, extra points for the flash forward. I appreciate seeing a glimpse of the characters in the future.

Don't Go Breaking My Heart is one of the better Hallmark movies for 2021. Great script written by Nina Weinman, who consistently delivers great movies for the network. Fun idea of a boot camp for the broken hearted but also realistic and totally possible that this business exists. LOVED the supporting cast who played the boot campers.

Italia Ricci and Ryan Paevey had strong chemistry, felt believable as a viewer. I was invested in their storyline.

Movie felt like it had a fully fleshed out story with a good budget (featured a Shawn Mendes song at the end).

I'm not saying that the movie was amazing, but Italia and Ryan are very likable and easy to watch. If the actors were different I have a feeling it would be a 6. Nice light Hallmark touches, don't take it too seriously and just kick back and enjoy.