The Real West

This is a FANTASTIC movie; a real gem. And with GREAT acting and chemistry between the 2 main characters. Whoever bashes this movie is a bitter and sad human being who needs to get a life.

I can watch this movie over and over.

Kimberley is a very talented actress and Lucas is one fine man. They make a beautiful onscreen couple and they rock the screen.

All the characters are so real and it is refreshing to see the females looking more natural: eg hair and faces. And the 2 main men are very fine....

This is definitely one of the best love stories. Absolutely loved it!

With this movie there is hope for Hallmark.

7.1 stars.

I love Sustad, she is like gold for me, although some of her latest stuff seems a bit on the edge. By edge, I mean outside of my usual preferences. Not sure what that's all about, but something isn't quite smooth about this film. Maybe the romance is a bit complicated, and don't get me wrong, complicated can be good. On the other hand, the mother's character is shallow and odd, the young son is really into ghosts for a specific reason, and that's fine, the older son likes a girl, but his character goes completely undeveloped. We also get to know the girl he likes and she's actually quite endearing.

Sustad's character has a younger sister who is somewhat flaky and too much into shallowness and fun, that's the best description. Maybe they make her that way so we can feel less sympathetic toward her because of what happens to her. I don't know, but what happens is really close to a betrayal. Maybe it's not a full betrayal as much as hesitation and reluctance on the part of Sustad's character.

In the end, I suppose all of them end up getting what they want, and I saw it coming, but was surprised by how the story arrives at the destination. That's fine, a little different, proven to be less effective than the usual formula in this case.

Anyways, I didn't quite feel the pure love, the gut wrenching yearning that some Hallmark films are able to convey until the very end. Therefore 'The Real West' is a bit above average (thanks to the ending).

In this Hallmark romantic film, Rebecca is a professor of the American West who is chasing tenure. She takes her kids, Ollie and Noah, to a working ranch with her Mother Maureen and her sister Cassidy. There she meets a handsome cowboy, who turns out to be a former rodeo star and current horse whisperer...who just happens to be her sister's new boyfriend.

I have loved Lucas Bryant ever since he played the romantic lead Nathan in the Haven series. So, I was thrilled to see him in this Hallmark film. My favorite scene was the meet cute in the hat shop, when Jake picks out three hats for the kind of woman Rebecca is. I loved seeing James Denton and I thought Lynda Boyd, who played Rebecca's mother Maureen, was wonderful.

Kimberley Sustad does a great job playing the widow Rebecca, who is not only trying to do the right thing...but questioning herself. I thought she and Lucas Bryant had great chemistry and I am hoping they will get more screen time.

I loved the song Cowboys Like Me...it was an instant Shazam for me and I will be adding it to my playlist.

This is a big recommendation to romantics who love hallmark films.

I thought this movie was well done and that the chemistry between the leads was off the charts. Both Kimberly Sustad and Lucas Bryant showed through their body language how attracted they were, yet how life circumstances held them back from acting upon their desires. It seemed totally plausible to me. Having spent a vacation at a ranch in Montana, I know how quickly you can feel closeness with the other people who stay there.

The plot was not simplistic and insipid (as it was in the "Heiress" movie from last week). It was a well written script with excellent performances by everyone in the cast. Definitely recommend it and would watch it again (and again and again).

(How much more can I add to this review to meet the minimum character requirement?)

The female actresses in this movie were believable. Kimberley is a favorite, with her down to earth, 'someone I could hang with' portrayals. She does not over act and that is one of the reasons I selected this movie. She, her movie sister and mom co-stars, were great. The 2 main male actors in this movie, I gotta say, pretty sexy and the acting was engaging. I've been a fan of Denton for some time and this Bryant ?!?!... I may want my own hand selected cowboy hat (sorry husband). Readers, you'll have to watch to get that. 🐎 This movie had substance and was not a chop off the predictable block. Very enjoyable.