Don't Go Breaking My Heart

This was actually a pretty cute story. Italia Ricci and Ryan Paevy are actually very good together. A sequel would be nice.

Now on to location! The sweeping views of the bay are laughable. Portland had no bays. There's a river. A big, wide river - but no bay. If Hallmark is going to use Portland as a "location" for their movies (but are filmed in British Columbia), they need to be more careful about showing the surrounding area in BC. They've done this before showing huge mountains in LaJunta, CO (The Christmas Train) - when LaJunta is on the easter plains - nowhere near mountains. Obviously, Hallmark thinks people don know these locations - so just throw it in there.

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.

Finally a Hallmark movie that showcased the best for Italia Ricci acting skills!! Looking refreshed, confident, and working with a solid script, italia own the role of breakup boot camp leader Miranda. Cute original story that is interesting yet charming! Enjoyable and fun! 7 stars.

...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).