'My Boyfriend's Dogs' (2014)
Opening thoughts: The previous 2014 Hallmark films varied in quality. While 'A Ring in Spring' was a real winner, there was also the disaster that was 'My Gal Sunday'. Was not sure how 'My Boyfriends' Dogs' was going to turn out, despite the title sounding very charming the premise was less so and was one that could go either way. There were elements that had potential to be charming, but others that could be potentially cruel. Was certainly not expecting it to be original, Hallmark did similar stories since (films though seen prior to this) with variable success.
Feelings were very mixed regarding 'My Boyfriends' Dogs'. It is watchable, has its good moments and good aspects, and is a long way from being one of the worst 2014 Hallmark films. It is however also not a good film really at all (hardly surprising that reviews are very divided here), and has too many significant drawbacks to recommend. So also not one of the best 2014 Hallmark films. Ranking it, it is middling middle of the road, with some good and some bad.
Good things: As already indicated, 'My Boyfriends' Dogs' does have good things. Erika Christensen is a very likeable lead and shows a lot of charm. Teryl Rothery and Joyce DeWitt bring zest and class to their roles and most of the male cast (despite their characters being sketchily developed) are amiable and easy going. The dogs are absolutely adorable and it is very hard to not fall in love with them.
'My Boyfriends' Dogs' looks good, especially the scenery, and the music which not unforgettable is pleasant enough and fits.
Bad things: However, too many things do not work. Tyron Leitso struggles to inject much personality into a very underwritten role and comes over as bland. All the boyfriends could have been developed much more, but his was the character that was practically anonymous. While having no problem with Jeremy Guilbaut and finding him amiable, his character's attitude regarding his feeling about dogs came over as pretty jerk-ish. None of the romantic chemistry is convincing, too low key and too little time is devoted to all the relationships which were all underwritten and underused.
Especially between Christensen and Leitso. Christensen's character is without issue most of the time, but she does come over later as too over eager and easily fooled. The script goes too far on the cheese and sappiness and doesn't always flow, while the story promised more than it delivered. It sounded refreshingly different, but executes everything in too conventional and formulaic a fashion, it could have done with more light hearted-ness (taking itself too seriously on the whole) and any tension is too polite.
Closing thoughts: In conclusion, watchable but average.
5/10.
