The Real West

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.

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).

I loved this movie. It was romantic (which is the Hallmark standard), but it wasn't formula (you know, the tired old story about a boy meeting a girl, they hate each other then fall in love...yawn). We have a unique plot and a mom who loves her kids and whose kids love her back. Yes, she's a widow (but how can an older woman fall in love again if she isn't a widow and ex-husbands tend to be so messy). The young men who play their sons do a great job and the girl who plays the oldest son's girlfriend was absolutely adorable!

Without giving away the story line, I think I'll just say die hard Hallmark fans will love this movie.

P.s. I didn't give it a 10 because I reserve that for Oscar-worthy movies, but a 9 means I love, love, love it.

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?)

It is always nice to see Kimberley Sustad in something other than a Christmas movie because she is such an exceptional actress and, here, she delivers again. This is a multi-layered story dealing with several issues - accepting the death of a loved one, a mother coping with her teenage son growing up, sisters finding balance in their relationship, and a man realizing what is important in his aging life. It is nicely written and directed and the entire cast is very good and realistic. Sustad plays her character Rebecca with intelligence, emotion and sincerity as well as delightful humor - it's the full package, as always with her. The real surprise is Lucas Bryant as a steely-eyed cowboy - unlike anything he has ever done before and he's terrific, too. The rest of the performers excel with Marlie Collins as sister Cassidy and James Denton as the ranch owner of particular note. The on location scenery is quite attractive which only serves to make this film as believable as Sustad and the rest of the cast.

This is a really enjoyable production that keeps your interest throughout.