2015 did see some good and more Hallmark films, such as 'Surprised by Love', 'A Country Wedding' and 'All of My Heart'. It did also see some duds, like 'Merry Matrimony', 'Love by the Book' and 'Portrait of Love'. 'Just the Way You Are' has a premise that is not a novel one by any stretch of the imagination, have seen it a number of times with Hallmark since (although seeing those prior to this) with varied success, and it is one that can go on either way of charming and fun or dull and cheesy.
Despite the presence of the more watchable than not Candace Cameron Bure in the female lead role, 'Just the Way You Are' didn't connect with me or come together that well, so closer to the latter category. There are certainly far worse films out there, it has its good things (including Bure) and it is not quite down there with the worst 2015 Hallmark films. As well as nowhere near one of their worst overall. 'Just the Way You Are just has too many flaws, is not particularly good and does not do a good job at all bringing something new or interesting to a premise that isn't really all that great.
Am going to start with the good. Bure is indeed the best thing about 'Just the Way You Are', in a charming and heartfelt performances that shines when the film doesn't take itself too seriously. The supporting cast do acceptably, despite not having much to work with.
The production values are always lovely to watch and the film does start off promisingly. Did like the use of Billy Joel.
'Just the Way You Are' doesn't come together however, despite this reviewer really wanting it to. The story is very formulaic with no surprises, and is also too slow. Especially later on when the storytelling becomes thinner to the point of having very little plot and the number of overlong draggy scenes increased. On the whole, there is no tension, the drama comes over as dull and over serious and the film is too sugary sweet and too sentimental.
Furthermore, the conflict is forced and severely under-developed, also didn't buy how far too easily and hastily it was resolved. The dialogue is full of cheese and sudsy schmaltz with nothing sounding natural or like everyday conversation. Bure and Ty Olsson have very weak chemistry, didn't detect much as a matter of fact and what there was didn't go very far. It doesn't help that Olsson is very out of his depth here and proves himself too lightweight in leading roles, his character is a personality free cipher as well.
On the whole, pretty lacklustre that is made semi-watchable by Bure. 4/10.
