The Hating Game

This looks like your typical Hallmark X-mas romance movie.. straight to VHS. But while it's not a Hollywood movie, it is certainly better than anticipated.

I expected to find Austin as the stiff male lead that would drag down the charming presence of Lucy Hale.. but both leads make this film together! They work really well off of each other. Their lines and stabs are really enjoyable, and the "drama" is not heavy enough to be a bother.

Lucy, of course, stands out as the cherry on top of a cake. Her wardrobe is impeccable, and her personality on screen as delightful as Ana de Armas is generally. The movie would not work as well without her.

Good coloring, sets and locations. Fast pace, music choices and editing. Nice production.

I'm surprised to admit I found this quite fun! More importantly, it is structured beyond competently to let you know where everyone stands during the first 13 minutes. I was impressed and already in it by then. The Romance is a bit... slow and on the side, but ultimately is the foundation of the story. You know what you are in for, and that's exactly what you get. Wouldn't change a thing! Had a nice time, since I was in the mood for it.

If the average Hallmark movie would move even a little along the scale towards this standard, their films might become a little more watchable. It helps the male audience that Lucy Hale is mesmericly beautiful. If I knew this scriptwriter and team were making another rom I'd watch it in a heartbeat. It is not so much that it wasn't entirely predictable - it was - but that is not the point. We didn't have to suffer through godawful pizzicato, awkward interrupted kisses, religious input or a dummy cast of whatever the latest race and sexual orientation quota is. Did I mention Lucy Hale looks good in this?

Ok, so I didn't read the book. This is a review of show only, with no comparison. It was cheesy. Josh was a very unlikable character. Aside from his good looks, I don't know what Lucy saw in him again and again and again. Lucy tan after a guy who treated it her poorly at worst and gave her mixed signals at best. I thought the scenes were choppy. This is why office romances are best avoided.

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman "hate" each other. They work together and they are the exact opposite of the other. But they do have something in common: they are both very ambitious, so things take a turn when they are competing for the same job.

I think that as an adaptation is very accurate. Quite faithful to the book. At least the most important scenes are there.

Lucy is the real star of this movie. Nothing against Austin but she truly shines. They have amazing chemistry.

There is not much to say about this. There barely is a plot here. It's not perfect but it is enjoyable as any other romcom these days. There are two characters with sexual tension teasing each other and pushing each other's buttons and that's truly where the fun lies. Add great chemistry between the leads and you got yourself an enjoyable hour and a half.

Points for originality, nope. Clever plot with a unique twist? No. Hilarious. Not really. Memorable acting? Naw. Charming and enjoyable? Absolutely. This movie isn't going to win any awards but I liked it very much. If you are a sucker for cheesy romantic comedies like I am (actually not meant as a diss) watch this because it was entertaining and really cute.