Yes, I Do

Expectations were not massively high. 2018 did see some good Hallmark films, but your expectations are dampened a bit if you are not a fan of some of the actors. Jessica Lowndes usually does not do much for me and Jen Lilley is wildly inconsistent dependent on her character. Have generally found Marc Rosner quite amiable though, so expectations were not completely low. Hallmark have done quite a number of decent and more films before and since, so there was hope.

'Yes I Do' didn't deliver sadly. Am not a fan of too many of the June Weddings films from Hallmark (with a small group of exceptions, as generally they tend to be more of the same plot wise and with very similar strengths and flaws), and 'Yes I Do' does nothing to change my mind. Hallmark did do a lot worse certainly, before and since, there have certainly been worse June Weddings films (in all the years that that that block has been occurring) but they also did a lot better on both counts.

The best thing about 'Yes I Do' is the easy going and charming performance of Rosner.

Also thought that the production values were good, with the scenery being particularly beautiful.

Having said all of that, 'Yes I Do' had a lot wrong in my view. Lilley is ill at ease and tries too hard, and also found her character too self absorbed and manipulative. Have seen a few good performances from Lowndes but also a lot of bad ones, and this is one of the one note wooden ones that is for me seen a lot from her. Didn't care for any of the characters, other than Rosner's to begin with but later on he began to dull and frustrate.

For me, the romantic chemistry was very underdeveloped and bland, nothing looking natural or genuine. The script is very stilted, especially Lilley's with so many incomplete sounding sentences that come over as gobbledegook. The story is very predictable, has very little charm, heart or lightness, is very forced in conflict and dragged out. Did find it too easily resolved and there is nothing distinctive about the direction. The music is also far too loud and constant.

In conclusion, weak. 3/10.

This was listed under "most popular" on Hallmark. Now, I don't need much excitement, I just need a storyline that makes sense and I need the characters to do things that make sense. I thought it was funny, the other reviewer said she or he could not make it to the end of the movie because I couldn't either. It was excruciating. I find some good things on Hallmark. I watch it because it's refreshing. I don't want to see violence or cursing so I like Hallmark movies. But, some of these movies....I don't know what they're thinking. It's like these directors get together and they're bored and they're like, hey who wants to make a movie today? Let's get some of our regular actors together and blow some money. 🤔

Charlotte (Jen Lilley) leaves her fiancé waiting at the church, standing in the lurch, because of her over-powering fear of making a commitment. In fact, she does it twice to the same guy, James (Marcus Rosner). He still loves her, but he's afraid to believe she won't leave him at the altar a third time, though she says she won't.

Still, she can't even talk about wedding-related things without feeling the itchy stirrings of that phobia for which she has no explanation.

As she plans for a third assault of the citadel of James's bachelorhood, Nicole (Jessica Lowndes)---a former sweetheart of James'---walks into the picture to complicate things.

The plot of this Hallmark film is a little difficult to swallow. James is certainly forgiving, considering the heartaches and complications that Charlotte has provided him. Not to mention the embarrassment. And the film too easily dispenses with the realistic solution that is elopement (you could have a formal ceremony afterwards.)

The actors are fine in their performances. And I found myself enjoying the musical score a few times. But this is not one of Hallmark's best.

This was not one of Hallmark's finest. The movie begins with her leaving him at the altar twice and then she basically calls off the third and he's still head over heels with her... man, leave this woman already! Jessica Lowndes is the only redeemable part of this film because she plays the villain so well. I haven't finished it yet (though I'm sure we all know how it will end) but honestly both women are so manipulative that all I find myself rooting for is this guy to leave them both and start over elsewhere.

In spite of some viewers' low ratings, I thought the film was charming. The rivalry with the former girlfriend gave the story some tension and the actors performed well. Good looking cast too!