Although I felt bad for Madeline (Holly Robinson Peete's character) after the double whammy of bad news she got at the beginning, she was initially rather unpleasant, entitled and off putting in a way that suggested it wasn't just because of the bad news. But luckily, that was toned down sooner as opposed to later.
Her spirited road trip companion Sarah (an outdoorsy type who changes her own tires) was nicely played by an attractive young former model named Kaylee Bryant. But I was also initially put off by her character when, after staying at a movie star's home as a guest for free, she had a rather ungrateful attitude when the star asked her to go upstairs and bring down her bags. That seemed like the least she could do in exchange for staying at the mansion. In contrast, her somewhat abrasive attitude made a lot more sense later, and seemed more justified after the road trip began. And that's when I became more invested. I was intrigued by their honest and real exchanges on the trip.
Also, I continue to be thrilled with Hallmark's new, matter of fact approach to different kinds of relationships. Sarah's sexuality is treated as just another aspect of her character rather than some separate source of drama. Very healthy and refreshing.
The movie's cross generational odd couple plot reminded me a bit of HBO's Hacks. As with that show, I liked the growing connection between these two very different characters who find common ground and a real empathy for what the other is experiencing. It seemed genuine, despite how unlikely their friendship might seem to be. Two of the three main plot conflicts involve powerful issues of motherhood, while the other involves mortality, and I thought they were all thoughtfully depicted despite the compressed time frame of a movie.
The romance may have been just a side plot, but Madeline and Carl had quick chemistry and struck me as plausible even without their relationship being the main focus of the movie.
I had a few quibbles though. What Colorado ski town has no hotels and just one B&B in the summer? How can you go kayaking in the wild without someone with a car to drop you off and pick you up later? And when they went rafting together, in someone else's raft, down some pretty good rapids, where was everyone else? I go river rafting every summer and it gets busy on the water. Otherwise, how could the raft operator make a living?
But the ride was beautiful, and they shared a nice moment after they beached the raft. That's when Madeline made a strong and apparently convincing point to Sarah about time "slipping like water through my fingers".
I cried more than a few times throughout the movie, which is a good sign.
Hallmark may not get the credit it deserves, but their ratings are high for a reason. Hallmark movies are, more often than not, a comforting celebration of Love, Family, Friendship, Community, and often an inspiring depiction of how people handle the adversity inherent in the human condition. And that's why I always grade Hallmark on a curve.
This was a nice addition to a reliably entertaining and satisfying catalogue of movies.
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