"Falling In Love With The Girl Next Door" is definitely worth watching just to see the scenery of beautiful Catalina Island. You do get to see quite a bit of the real island in this show, and nothing is really 'faked' there - as many TV shows tend to distort the actual area where they're filmed. Quite a line-up of talent too. Patty Duke, Shelly Long, Patrick Duffy and Bruce Boxlietner all do well. Story line is a little on the weak side, but it's still cute nonetheless. It's a good Valentine's Day story, and okay as a TV movie, but not Emmy-award winning material by any means. The lead actress is quite good and I look forward to seeing her in future movies. Overall, a good movie to watch on a winter's day. Story is a little predictable, so I won't tell you any more about it, other than you'll have to watch it for yourself.
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toledohamradio4 February 2006
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dc1-120 June 2012I nearly fell off my couch when I heard Patrick Duffy make the reference to Patty Duke's character in "Valley Of The Dolls"! Loved the locations - beautifully-filmed. As with many of the movies that appear on HMC, there weren't a lot of plot surprises (Neely O'Hara reference aside). The script and the direction didn't appear to require much hard work from the actors. Unlike "Dolls", Duke wasn't asked to chew the scenery. Duffy and Bruce Boxleitner were club-by friends sharing beers, golf and condescending remarks about the silly feud between wives Shelley Long and Duke. The too-friendly Avalon streets with the electric cars and the outdoor cafés on every block made it seem like a place where everybody knows your name...and there were a few moments when I was hoping that Ted Danson would turn up and set Long straight on how to resolve her issues with Duke. Just a very p-l-e-a-s-a-n-t, if unremarkable, film.
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She returns home after breaking up with her boyfriend. He lives next door. The 2 mothers never got along. The two fall in love and after 7 months, he pops the question. The moms start talking so as to make an all-out wedding. The lovers are overwhelmed and postpone the wedding.
This is so predictable. Anyone could have written the script. Any chances to make something out of this cliché ridden script is mired by the obvious.
With Patty Duke and other very good supporting cast members, this film really fails to convey any excitement. O yes, the lovers really wanted a beach-front wedding. What else is new? -
dkrob1 March 2006This film is not a classic and it doesn't pretend to be. It makes no claim to deal with serious issues but it is a lovely and thoroughly enjoyable Haloween romance. For me as an Englishman it was an education in American culture. Electric cars what are they, the traffic jam in Los Angeles was the most horrendous I have ever seen, People with their national flag hanging outside their house, and the seriousness with which they celebrate Haloween all new to me. The atmosphere during the whole film I found absolutely delightful, The two young Romeo and Juliet played their parts so nicely. The 4 old stagers 2 husbands and of course Patty Duke and Shelley Long so nice and so lovely to see them together. This is not a deep film but a lovely romance. Top marks to Hallmark for making a film like this because though there are many who will find it ucky there are many like myself who will find watching it a pure joy. For me it was like going on holiday to this island but rather sad when it finished,
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Terryfan4 July 2006I was just channel surfing one night and there was nothing on to watch.
I came across the Hallmark Channel and Falling in love with the Girl Next Door was on, so I thought "why not".
I was impress with this movie.
I was never bored with this movie.
The story kept my attention and the acting was great.
The Hallmark Channel really plays some good movies.
Falling In Love With The Girl Next Door was such a well done movie.
Overall if you're looking for a movie with a new type of story there this movie is for you.
I give Falling In Love With The Girl Next Door 10 out of 10.
Excellent movie. -
bonsalldoug4724 October 2016I don't usually write reviews, I have read the other reviews and agree, except for one critic, Valerie I think, outside source review, claiming this movie is a "don't bother". She obviously does not consider the romantic setting, or locations any part of a movie, how drab for her. I grew up across the channel from Catalina Island, have visited the island EVERY CHANCE I have. The location alone makes this movie enjoyable, the main transportation on the island is golf cart, I recognize all the charming locations on the island. Story line is not complicated, and as I agree with others, not a deep plot but enjoyable. I watch this movie A lot and mostly because I miss Catalina Island whenever I am at home. For those of you who have not been to Catalina, it is as lovely as it appears, I recognize all those familiar places on the island. CHARM and TRANQUILITY, unless you are planning a wedding.
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dtbrubak4 November 2006It is always a pleasure to view yet another great Hallmark film. The casting was perfect with the likes of Patty Duke, Patrick Duffy, Shelley Long and Bruce Boxleitner. The love story between Theresa and Mark sets the perfect example of an old fashioned romance. Mark was the perfect gentleman with Theresa. Hallmark continues to portray films with values and morals and that is why we choose to turn to this channel over and over again. The only thing that was not portrayed properly is that the Catholic Church does not recognize marriages performed at any location other than inside the church. I wish that the film had portrayed the Catholic wedding with the proper church teachings. Thank you for yet another great film!
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TxMike15 January 2009For me most of the fun in watching this TV movie was to see old stars like Patty Duke (who I remember as a youngster in the "Patty Duke" TV show). The story itself is pretty ordinary, but it is good, light entertainment.
Patty Duke as Bridget Connolly and Shelley Long as Betsy Lucas are neighbors. But they are feuding neighbors, seeing eye to eye on nothing, and wanting nothing more than to avoid each other.
Crystal Allen is Briget's daughter Theresa Connolly, and Ken Marino is Betsy's son Mark. As fate would have it, Thresa and Mark begin to fall for each other. But knowing their moms, have to make sure it is kept a secret. But for how long?
Fortunately for the two, the dads are understanding. Patrick Duffy as dad James Connolly, and Bruce Boxleitner as dad Frank Lucas. They separately counsel their adult children, to make sure they know what they feel about each other.
The climax of sorts comes when each one arranges for their mothers to meet their "intended", and when they all show up at the meeting spot each mom is of course surprised and dismayed at the presence of the other mom.
However as one might imagine the story has a pleasant resolution as the moms' desire to help their children plan a nice wedding overcomes their desire to stay enemies and they eventually cooperate and patch things up between them. -
I unfortunately missed the main portion of the movie but the bit I did see wants me to see the full movie If you've had in law interference then this is definitely a movie you can relate to While not giving anything away how many children have had their weddings TAKEN OVER by their mothers who only want the best for their children's and proceed to dictate everything about the wedding over the objections of their r children One can relate too the characters in one way or another and siding with each in their own domains and also identifying the part that THEY played in their own children's big day I heartily recommend this movie to everyone through and through It's funny, tense, delightful, warm, empathetic and lovely It definitely deserves a 10/10 rating in MY BOOKS
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mickeydutchie19 July 2020Did it ever say in the movie what started the feud with the two mothers?