Shining Bright

source: Dating the Delaneys

I often write reviews about movies I don't like. This review is for a Hallmark movie that really touched me positively from the beginning to the sweet end. Of course, the lead actors need chemistry and rapport to make a good romance, and these two are such good friends and partners even before they realize the relationship in full depth. Supporting actors (including the kids) were solid, and there were none of the extra plot kinks that make for awkward breakups or interruptions of the action. I highly recommend this one and honestly cannot think of anything major to gripe about. What fun!

8.2 stars. Two single parents start to practice date each other so they can be prepared for real dating. After a couple of outings, what if one of them hopes for this to be more than practice? This is another wonderful film that caught me off guard. The title is not the most flattering, but since four out of five Delaneys are dating, it makes sense. There are a lot of really corny puns and dad jokes interspersed throughout, but it makes for decent comedy, fills the gaps, and it's a family movie. It is cringe at times, but it's still fun. To elaborate: the two leads go on several fake dates because they agree they need practice for the real thing. We can see that this gradually becomes more than practice. Classic Hallmark. After time passes and together they have honed her skills for real dates, we expect her to catch a hint, but she chooses to ignore it. Does she like him for more than a friend, it's difficult to ascertain. I feel it's her subtle way of getting on board with the idea that he could be Mr. Right. She is a real jokester, and this feels like a very secretive scheme on her part, he is the butt of the ultimate joke...but we will never know for sure. The anticipation is palpable, we are rooting for this to work out, which Hallmark always delivers. This film is a hiatus from the usual formulaic humdrum, a pleasant vacation from the same old construct. There is no critical moment, no temporary falling out, no major misunderstanding or disagreements, no interrupted kiss...this is simply about a woman going on a bunch of meaningless dates, each man being stranger than the last. On inconsistency that affects the credibility of her character is when she is dating the wine tasting symphony enthusiast. This guy is a total troll of the worst kind and I can't imagine anyone would tolerate his attitude and behavior. He was disgusting, and her reaction was inconceivable. Any normal woman would have doused him with her wine and stormed out. The side stories were well developed and added so much to this film: the daughter and her crush, the sons with basketball, and fishing, and the ex-husband being a half-hearted lame dad. There is so much depth to this film, it's a must see.

I love both Rachel Boston and Paul Campbell, they are the best thing about this film. Their banter and silly puns somehow work because of their chemistry and charm. This is the story of three generations of Delaneys, who are at very different places in their lives...but all are "starting to date". Maggie Delaney is at the heart of this story as a divorcee who is finally ready to dip her toe into the dating pool and her friend Michael Taylor is happy to help her "practice" her dating skills. Maggie's daughter is chasing after a high school boy who doesn't seem interested, while the new kid in her class seems to only have eyes for her. Finally Maggie's mom brings in a surprise for her daughter as she has a new man in her life as well. Must love corny puns to truly appreciate this romance that is heavy on baking and support.

To me either Rachel Boston is not a very good actress or she's unable to clear her resting angry face. She comes across as never really listening to the other person, it's what am I going to say next, it's just rude & haven't liked anything she's been in because of it. Hallmark checklist complete: 1. At least one Redhead per movie 2. Cast always looks like they are in downtown Atlanta 3. Main characters literally run into each other all the time 4. Dead relatives, nobody just leaves by divorce in this world 5. Men are bad fathers & typically the only good guy is the main male lead & even he has issues 6. Other than the main couple in most movies, everyone else dates outside their race. 7. At least 2 mentions of 'community'

Loved the actors. The movie was cute and funny. Some reviewers complained about the puns and corny jokes, but they were part of movie's story line and helped make the movie funny. Highly recommend.

Campbell and Boston always are great but the over use of puns made the characters rather ridiculous and one wishing to fast forward through the dialogue, especially the wine tasting event and backyard family BBQ. Loved the restaurant first blind date scene. Now that was good.

The puns got reallllyyyy old. Really enjoyed the leads, great chemistry. The daughter seemed way too old looking to be in high school. I was also distracted by her almost unibrow. Time to tweeze those caterpillars. The crush on the guy who ignores you and treats you like crap? Stop. And who wouldn't have walked out of the concert after what that guy said about her kids? He was deplorable. Why she even went on a second date is crazy after the way he treated her at the vineyard. The mom was put on the back burner and didn't add much. And she was so excited to go to her ex's wedding? Why? He portrayed the classic crappy ex husband/father. I thought we'd see one of the 2 years later scenes with her getting married . Just kind of ended abruptly. Hope they make more movies together in the future. I'm so tired of seeing the trio of Lacey/Candace/Danica.

This is mostly a typical story with some minor differences. In ways, it's not a lot different than the last movie starring Boston and Campbell, The Last Bridesmaid. The leads hang together avoiding any sense they are dating each other. In this one, they knew each other already and decide to help each other enter the dating market by "practicing". Add to that story a daughter that has a crush but spends time with her lab partner and grandmother who already is well on her way to a new beau. Boston and Campbell have great chemistry together. Any couple who can banter the "bad" jokes and puns so smoothly has to have chemistry. They have tons of fun together and the audience tags along. The ex-husband is there mostly as a stereotype of an absolutely terrible dad. He was a little too much. There are no great highs or lows and definitely no surprises but the movie is still fun.

Rachel Boston and Paul Campbell were great and seemed to really enjoy being together. There was real chemistry there. Although the un-funny puns got old after a while. Enough is enough already. Zoe Christie as Emma, looked WAY to old to be a teenager with a crush. She just couldn't pull off playing a 16 year old. Frankly she looked closer to a 30 something. It spoiled the whole teenage Delaney dating part of the storyline. And sitting and staring ALL the time at the guy you have a crush on was just creeoy. I didn't blame the guy for ignoring her. My advice: great family flilm, not Shakespeare, but entertaining.