Bookworm and the Beast

It was a nice little movie, but lacked something. It went along in a kind of monotone - no compelling plot, no snappy dialogue, no interesting characters - no surprises. Technically it was done well enough and everybody knew their lines... but the characters didn't seem emotionally invested or even very engaged with each other - especially when the daughters were in the hospital room and during what should have been romantic moments - so it was hard for the audience to be drawn in.

I watch a lot of these rom-coms and hallmark types. This one was one of the worst I've ever seen. It was painful at times. Grant was not a likeable character at all. I kept waiting for the plot change from "bad" Grant to "good" Grant, but it never happened. I found myself rooting against him the entire movie. Izzy was cute at times, but dumb as a door knob.

The screen writing was so bad. Grant puts her dad in a coma and Izzy shows so little concern. After her initial visit to the hospital, Izzy barely acknowledges her dad exists, let alone shows compassion for his pain and life threatening condition. She seemed ready to walk down the aisle with Grant the day after Grant almost killed her dad. I found it hard to root for Izzy.

It's a bad romance flik when you find yourself hoping the lead characters just go away.

If you like the Beauty and the Beast retellings, this one is worth a watch. However, it still felt like something was lacking. The second half of the movie was definitely better than the first. I think that is largely due to the fact that the male lead's acting improves. Grant who plays 'the beast', does much better playing the good guy, than the bad. Izzy the beauty and her sister have good acting skills throughout the movie. As for the rest of the cast, they rate somewhere between a junior high play and an amateur acting class. The camera work is also shaky a couple times in the beginning.

As for the lacking aspect, I think Grant and Izzy needed more screen time during their community service projects. The chemistry was there underneath the surface, but the relationship also felt forced and rushed at times. If the audience had seen more conversations and interaction, the little amount of chemistry could've been fireworks. I mean, I can see why they fell for each other, IF I read between the lines. But I don't want to read between the lines. I want to see the romance play out. Instead, it was like Grant went from "ugh Izzy is ridiculous" to "I think I love her", from one scene to the next.

Overall, this movie is mediocre and not one that will stay with me very long. The great ones leave me wanting more and thinking about them for days after. There were some sweet scenes though.

1st Review June 7, 2021 Edit: May 27, 2025

I gave this movie another chance & liked it slightly better this time. It's still not a memorable movie because I had forgotten everything. When movies are great, I recall details forever. But I did feel the leading couple's chemistry more this time. Although, the Jane Austen references were overdone & became cringeworthy. I guess it didn't bother me the first watch because I wasn't into Austen then.

Ugh it's bad... I watched 30 minutes or so. I couldn't watch anymore. It was actually making gag. So corny. So dumb. The acting was bad. The girl who played Izzy was tolerable.

An adorable romantic comedy with great actors!a story of I love you I hate you as we love to see and a scenario too cute.