marybschneider
Fun story. Characters were likable but not one dimensional.
rebekahrox
After several turns as "the best friend" of the heroine, where she all but out shown the leads, Ali Liebert has finally been getting much deserved leading roles in these Hallmark seasonal romances. This one is the best yet. Kudos to Hallmark for recognizing her appeal and giving her prominent roles. I hope she becomes as ubiquitous as Chabert, Reiser, Boston, Polo, and several others.This one is also helped by a tightly woven plot, good character development and an attractive leading man who has a real arc into becoming (or being revealed as) a good guy after all. I must quibble at this point over one plot hole. Our hero, a diva chef, has his career almost ruined by a viral video of him throwing food on a restaurant critic in a fit of temper. He reveals later that the the video edited out the fact that prior to the food on the lap incident, the victim had made his waitress cry by being so mean to her. Why didn't he just explain that on facebook or twitter? Instead of needing an image rehabilitation, he becomes a hero.
It is also absent some of the overdone stupid gimmicks that most of these Hallmarks seem to hinge on. No angels, City bad, country good, factory shuttings, time travel, nor I hate (just fill in the holiday). What keeps it from getting a higher rating from me is the lack of depth, suspense, pathos, or super hot chemistry between the leads. But it's good. Really good.Ali has the super nice girl who is maybe a little too nice role down pat. Plus she has the most energetic eyebrows I've ever seen. Very cute, if a bit distracting. Couldn't take my eyes off of them.
anna-05141
This film is a perfect watch for a Sunday afternoon with the whole family. The story is that of a TV producer and a chef with attitude, who get wrapped up in making a children's cooking show, work out their differences and finally fall in love! So the backdrop is the set of Little Gourmet, which is the show within the show. The challenges that it throws up with the producer Kelly feel very real - promotion, politics, diva chef, illness of the previous presenter.The transformation of the successful nasty Ramsay-style chef played by the handsome Brett Dalton is pleasing to see! The chemistry between the leads is completely plausible. Who wouldn't be tempted by a Michelin starred chef and the cute girl-next-door producer??The real highlight of the film is the children, who instead of being the downfall for the film via patchy acting, but instead they were a real joy! The acting solid and the stories moving.The film is pretty great: cute, kids, nice acting, chemistry and casting, pretty great!
ronbokirk
Ali Liebert once again shows us that she is as good as any other Hallmark leading lady.
Her performance was outstanding. There was chemistry between her and Brett Dalton.
Kimberly Sustad should have had a bigger part. The only thing keeping this movie from being a 10
is the presence of Jeremy. His part in the story could have been left in and his onscreen presence
left out, or better yet casting could have found an actor with actual acting ability for the part.
I have seen Preston Vanderslice in other Hallmark productions and all I have seen is more of the same.
The children were great. In spite of an amateur (Vanderslice) working with professionals, a really good Hallmark movie.
With 1 point lost for casting, my score 9
AD
