Branching Out

8.2 stars.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I could go on about the plot in great detail, but I figure there isn't much point to it. I'll describe in a nutshell. A woman gets pregnant through a sperm bank and has a little girl. Daughter (about 9 years old) overhears some conversation between mom and best friend, now she wants to meet her dad. The rest of the story is about mom and daughter meeting dad and his wonderful extended family. Mommy and baby daddy fall in love, little girl falls in love with the rest of the family - the end.

There are a dozen qualities of this film that really stand that require no further mentioning. I will leave you with a bit of advice: focus on the little girl and her colorful personality and the rest will fall into place.

It would be really hard not to be great with a story like this. But it doesn't stop there. The acting is good, but the dialogue is fantastic and the timing of line delivery is great. There are a ton of funny moments. Really funny. Reviews like this usually talk about chemistry between the romantic leads, and I often throw in great chemistry between an adult and a cute kid, but there is amazing chemistry almost all around. It's like all the main characters really are family and have known each other forever.

Cora Bella as Ruby is a force of nature. Such a powerful performance. Meanwhile Sarah Drew goes deep. The woman who plays Amelia's partner is real, not just a foil as a BFF.

If the movie wasn't good enough already, the climax tops it all off perfectly. And I laughed really hard at Ruby's last line.

Added after watching again: With a really good movie, you can get so much more after watching it again. One of the things I picked up this time was how Sarah Drew does such a good job of developing her character throughout the movie. A complaint I often make about Hallmark-like movies is that a lead's personality will change on a dime. A complete change within minutes of screen time. That doesn't happen here. You can see Amelia clinging to her walls even though she is yielding them up layer by layer. There is a big jump at one point, but with a woman like Amelia that last wall is going to be a big one.

The movie also does a good job of use lyrics in the songs that play through the movie.

Wow another good movie by Hallmark. I liked the plot and the cast were very good. I must say Cora Bella who plays the daughter steals the movie from the other Review Wow another good movie by Hallmark. I liked the plot and the cast were very good. I must say Cora Bella who plays the daughter steals the movie from the other actors the two leads were very good and had excellent chemistry Sara Drew and Juan Pablo. The supporting cast did well but not enough time to develop their roles. What makes this movie special for me is it was realistic and the two lead characters were romantic just not waiting till end of the movie to kiss and embrace. A lot of hugging and kissing not typical of Hallmark movies. In addition to the plot the music was very good here again not typical of Hallmark movies. Also no misunderstandings by the leads just a change had to be made.

Once again if Hallmark keeps this good movie making they will blow away their competitors the two leads were very good and had excellent chemistry Sara Drew and Juan Pablo. The supporting cast did well but not enough time to develop their roles. What makes this movie special for me is it was realistic and the two lead characters were romantic just not waiting till end of the movie to kiss and embrace. A lot of hugging and kissing not typical of Hallmark movies. In addition to the plot the music was very good here again not typical of Hallmark movies. Also no misunderstandings by the leads just a change had to be made.

Once again if Hallmark keeps this good movie making they will blow away their competitors.

We watch a lot of Hallmark movies and enjoy them. But they are formualmatic. And if something works let it go and keep doing it. We know it will be family friendly and entertaining. Good enough.

Branching Out is typical Hallmark. But this time we find a family tree that is hidden. As the protagonist finds the Cruz family so do we. Despite Mama Cru, over acting the main characters are excellent. They are actually believable. The writing feeds Ruby's abilities which appears to be many.

The love interest actually makes sense and the problems of them being together are real.

If only the last scene wasn't so typical.

I knew that when I saw the commercial. It was a movie that I needed to watch. Even if I had to record it and watch it later. I loved that it was something a lil different than what I'm used to watching on Hallmark. DNA. It's usually just about 2 people who fall in love. But I loved the story line. Of finding out who you are and where you come from. Kids wondering where they come from. You don't see a lot of movies like this. Obviously it's Hallmark. So people fall in love. But it was more than just about 2 people. Great songs throughout the movie too. I'm hoping to find out more info on the music used in the movie. It is definitely a good watch!