Old Fashioned (2014) User Reviews (131)

Pretty darn insufferable

[Buddy-51 · 4/10 · 4 September 2015]

How do you make a movie about a young man who's so uptight around women that he won't even be alone in a room with one - and NOT make him come across as some sort of serial-killer-in-training? I don't know the answer to that question, and, apparently, neither do the people who made "Old Fashioned," a snail-paced, poorly acted, Hallmark Channel-level romantic drama that, intentionally or not, turns out to be an off-putting creep-fest.

Clay Walsh (Rik Swartzwelder, who also wrote and directed the film) is the moody antique shop owner who was once a lady-killer and frat boy in his youth, but who now spends most of his time over-thinking his life to the point where just about everyone around him - the audience included - has had it up to here with his borderline- psychotic sanctimoniousness. All, except Amber (Elizabeth Ann Roberts), that is, an attractive young woman who settles into this small Midwestern town with her cat and her dreams after her car runs out of gas there. Though she's supposedly out of money, we never see Amber actually looking for work since she's so busy trying to figure out what makes Clay tick - a full time job, in and of itself, apparently. Initially intrigued by this strange man with unorthodox ideas about love, sex and dating, Amber begins to see him less as a curiosity and more as a man of principle and honor the better she gets to know him (too bad the viewer never really comes to share that opinion of him).

About the best thing one can say about "Old Fashioned" is that its heart is in the right place and one feels almost guilty criticizing it, but, frankly, the movie is so slow-moving and talky that I could barely stay awake through large stretches of it (though there is one surprisingly thoughtful and effective scene involving a bachelor party, I will admit). Surely, there's got to be a better way of getting across the old I'm-saving-myself-for-marriage theme than this. For the problem is that, after being told what a fun, lively, energetic guy Clay was in college, then seeing what he's become now, the only conclusion we can come to is that Finding Jesus turned him into the Bore of the Century - or, at the very least, the ultimate wet-blanket, bringing down everybody's spirits along with his own. Somehow, I doubt that's what Mr. Swartzwelder had in mind when embarking on the project.

This movie was a little too old-fashioned for my taste. It was disturbing & awkward to watch.

[ironhorse_iv · 5/10 · 31 January 2016]

I'm losing my faith for humanity, if they think normal relationships is either like 2015's '50 Shades of Grey" or 2014's "Old Fashioned". These two films, represented the far off unorthodox extremes in which, what human beings shouldn't be doing, when in a relationship. Unlike, director Sam Taylor-Johnson version of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' that goes over the top with the sexual aggression. This movie directed by Rik Swartzwelder is lacking any sense of on screen chemistry. Are we sure, these two people are in love with each other? I don't sense it. The movie tells the story of Amber Hewson (Elizabeth Ann Roberts) a free-spirited young woman, who rents the apartment above her landlord, Clay Walsh (Rik Swartzwelder)'s antique shop. As she gets to know her reticent landlord, a courtship somewhat develops, into an odd relationship of bible reading, strict police like-interrogations and baby-sitting, other people's kids. Wow, sounds fun! If you wanted to date a Warren Jeffs, type character. While, she find herself being drawn to his strong faith and noble ideas for some unexplained reasoned, Clay's notorious lofty behavior and his failure of forwardly, their relationship start to put stress on Amber Hewson. Is Amber willing to relinquish control of her freedom of her life, to Clay's over dominance and firm 'Sharia Law'? Watch the movie to find out, if you want to. Without spoiling the movie, too much, I have to say, for a faith-based movie, this movie doesn't make, Christians look good, at all. I don't know, any normal Christians who act like this. None of them, are that close minded, against public display of affection or even casual dating. Rik Swartzwelder idea of the perfect Christian relationship is something like a medieval arranged marriage. Forget about learning about each other, just properly trained her for marriage and raise children before even knowing that they can be emotionally or physically compatible. Don't get me wrong, this movie concept could work, if it's a horror movie, or a historical movie, showcasing why this outdated practice is wrong. However, it's not that. This movie really thinks that this is how people should act, when building a relationship. I'm sorry, but this is not, what people deem normal. This movie has to be, for crazy people. I feel like, I was watching a movie about somebody joining a cult. Seeing, Amber fall for Clay's borderline- psychotic sanctimoniousness is nearly unwatchable. Honestly, how is this, even possible? She has to know, he's nuts. After all, he doesn't even, believe that a man and woman can be in the same room, together. How does she not get that vibe that he sounds like a rapist with no self-control!? How is that, a sign of affection to her!? She has to be, just as irrational as him. After all, it makes kinda sense in the story, since her last boyfriend was physical abusive to her. She's falling for the wrong people. She has to be mentally disturbed. Don't get me wrong, the actress that plays Amber is alright, but her character is just annoying. However, her co-star is probably the worst thing about this movie. Not only, does Rik Swartzwelder show no charismatic element in his character. His sullen, selfish character is not even, willing to talk about compromise, at all. He's seem like a David 'Moses' Berg type character. Secretly, angry and hates everything and everybody. He even, has the nerves to stop a friend's bachelor party that he clearly could have, not went to, if he strongly disagree with having strippers, there. He acts way too righteous, and preachy to be likable. When he's not arguing with his friends or his date of their life choices, the filmmaker pads out the movie's running time with several mopey pop-music montages, showing Clay simply wandering around, like a loner. I can totally understand why people would have issues with nudity and sex, but there has got to be a middle ground of some sort. You don't need sex scenes to have a romantic chemistry. Films as recent as 2014's Theory of Everything show that. If you looking for a semi good Christian romantic movie. Check out, 2008's Fireproof. It's a lot better than this film. Overall: If 2015's '50 Shades of Grey' was upsetting for promoting Sadomasochism & dominance and submission lifestyle. Then 2014's 'Old Fashioned' is just as disturbing with its display of mentally abusive, manipulation, stalking, and coercion old fashioned lifestyle. This movie is so old, that it needs to die out. I can't recommended, watching it, at all.

"Old Fashioned" is sweet and funny, but only semi-realistic.

[CleveMan66 · 4/10 · 15 February 2015]

Ding! Ding! In this corner, coming in at 125 minutes, is the champion, the controversial and polarizing "Fifty Shades of Greyyyyy"! And in this corner, the challenger, coming in at 115 minutes, is the little-known, but surprising "Ollllllld Fashioned"! Who will win the weekennnnnd box officcccce?? Okay, that wasn't much of a fight. The score was 82 to 1 (millions of dollars, according to Box Office Mojo), but at least there was a fight. At least the juggernaut of "Fifty Shades" had an opponent. Regardless of how you personally feel about either film, it was undeniably clever counterprogramming to set the wide release date for "Old Fashioned" (PG-13, 1:55) the same weekend as the steamy-kinky "Fifty Shades of Grey". Two diametrically opposed views of modern relationships. No middle ground here. But that seems about right for the times in which we live. Now, which is the better MOVIE for our times? Well, I gave my opinion on "Fifty Shades" in another review. The rest of this review is going to be all "Old Fashioned".

Boy meets girl. Boy refuses to be alone with girl. Girl doesn't understand. Boy explains his religious convictions and relationship rules, at the risk of driving girl away. It's a story as old as time. It really is. That's the whole point. "Old Fashioned" longs for a time when men and women followed the Bible's rules for relationships as energetically as they ignore them now and aims to show how an old fashioned relationship (taking things slow, establishing firm boundaries, etc.) can still work today. At least, that's the idea behind this buttoned-up, but touching romance.

Clay (Rik Swartzwelder, who also wrote and directed the film) is a 30-something bachelor running an antiques store named "Old Fashioned" in what looks like a typical small southern town. He rents the small furnished apartment above his store to a free-spirited single gal who cruised into town on fumes, with her cat and all her earthly belongings in her car, and decided to stay – at least for a while. You see, Amber (Elizabeth Roberts, an adorable combination of Marisa Tomei and Mary-Louise Parker) lets her car's gas gauge decide where she's going to live next – until she gets antsy and uses the jar of cash on top of her refrigerator as gas money to roll on down the highway. Amber gets a job at the local flower shop and isn't looking to get into a relationship, but she's intrigued by the seemingly antiquated relationship ideas of her new landlord. Since he doesn't believe in dating, she breaks things in her apartment so he has to come upstairs to make the necessary repairs. One of Clay's many relationship rules is not to be alone with a woman who is not his wife, so Amber stands outside her apartment and engages him in conversation through the screen door.

Soon, Clay cannot deny that he is attracted to the pretty Amber with her compassion, playfulness and love of life, while she finds herself attracted to the handsome and gentlemanly Clay. Of course, all of his rules make a courtship challenging, but she thinks he's worth the effort. They get together for a variety of wholesome activities and ask each other questions from a relationship workbook to see how compatible they are. Amber adapts to Clay's rules, but the sternness of his demeanor and the strictness of his world view leave her feeling unappreciated and undervalued. It seems that Clay is working so hard at being good for God that, without realizing it, he has become self-centered and lacking in the compassion that Christians regard as crucial to their faith. Clay's great aunt Zella (Dorothy Silver) helps him see that, but is it too late? Can Clay find a way to make it work with Amber without sacrificing his principles? No spoilers here. If you want to know what happens, you'll have to see the movie.

Of course, the question remains whether the movie is worth seeing. The performances and the production values are far superior to other faith-based movies I've seen over the years. The film portrays the two main characters as real people, who have made choices that they regret and have pasts that they wish they could change. They just go about it differently. By way of contrast, we also see the relationship of Clay's college buddy David (LeJon Woods) who is "living in sin" with his long-time girlfriend with whom he is raising their young daughter. We also meet their other college buddy, Brad (Tyler Hollinger), who is a womanizing shock radio disc jockey and whose attitudes are the exact opposite of Clay's.

The film can get preachy at times (mainly while Clay is explaining the way he lives his life), but the experience of conducting an old fashioned courtship is mainly shown as a worthy goal in and of itself, not necessarily dependent on a strong religious faith. That may sound nice, but that's where the story starts to stumble. I've never known anyone to take such a restrictive attitude towards relationships without a strong faith-based motivation. That calls into question the plot's realism. Besides that, strict Christians like Clay don't believe they should marry someone who doesn't share their commitment to Christ, but Clay seems much more interested in Amber's behavior than the compatibility of their spiritual beliefs. Then, while David's relationship is shown to be a successful one, in spite of his lack of adherence to Clay's standards, its Clay's relationship that looks unworkable. Clay says he doesn't believe in dating, but I can't call their various activities anything else.

"Old Fashioned" is generally well-written and well-acted. It contains some genuinely funny moments and an undeniable sweetness, but also contains mixed messages and presents an example of courtship that is overly simplistic, unrealistic and unworkable, except in the most unusual of scenarios. All that gives this extreme view of relationships a nice, middle-of-the-road grade of "C+".

His values aren't "Old Fashioned". They're "Confused and Disturbing"...

[aserpentperplexed · 1/10 · 19 September 2017]

This movie is meant as a Christian faith-based counterpart to "Fifty Shades of Grey", which is fine in theory. You can tell this because it came out around the same time, and if you read some of the other user reviews many people saw it that way. The poster reads "Love is Patient. Love is Kind. Love is... OLD FASHIONED". Love is also NOT something that this movie understands very well though... 

Now look, the concept that one would not have sex until they are married is a pretty common one, and there is NOTHING WRONG with that. However, there is something VERY WRONG with how Clay, the film's protagonist, interprets this concept. See, Clay says early on in the movie, "I made a promise, to never be alone with any woman who's not my wife". This is taking the concept of no sex before marriage to an extreme! You can absolutely be alone with a woman AND NOT HAVE SEX WITH HER! You can have friends who are women, whom you don't sleep with. You can get to know a woman in a totally asexual way, you know, what is she like AS A PERSON? When Clay says something like this, it implies that he is unable to control his sexual urges, and fears that he will be unable to resist the temptation of sex if he is simply alone with another woman. Rather than learning how to control his own urges and resist temptation, he would rather HIDE from them and not have to deal with them. That's not Christian, that's irresponsible. You CAN'T hide from Satan and the evils of the world, you have to resist his temptation, like Jesus did in the desert. It also has a very... rape-y vibe to it? I'm sure that's not the movie's intent, but that's how it comes off in the modern age.

Clay also has some ill-informed ideas about what a date is. At one point he says to his friend, "Most people know more about someone after a job interview for delivering pizzas than after most dates". This shows a complete misunderstanding about what a date is. He thinks all dates are one night stands where the only goal is to get into bed with someone and never speak to them again the next day. We know this because it's Brad's behaviour, whose lifestyle Clay disapproves of. In reality, NOT ALL DATES ARE ONE NIGHT STANDS! A date does not necessitate sex. Maybe you two just want to get to know each other, see how your personalities and beliefs match up, find out whether or not you'd make a good couple (for marriage or otherwise), and you know, just generally find out what they're like AS A PERSON!?!?

On top of this, Clay's definition of "treating a girl right" is also damaging to a woman's self esteem, he is only better than Brad in that he only dates ONE woman! Whenever Amber tries to ask her own questions or get more answers out of Clay, Clay shuts her down. He is annoyed if she doesn't answer his questions RIGHT AWAY. So much for "Love is patient... Love is kind..." On their second date she turns the radio on and Brad starts spewing his sexist garbage, Clay and Amber both make fun of him. But when Amber tries to have a real discussion about it, Clay shuts her down by saying, "Hey you wanted to turn the radio on, not me! Let's get back to the book".  God forbid they have an ACTUAL DISCUSSION ABOUT SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO HER!!! Even when Clay lets her choose what to do on their next date, she has him pick it out of a box, you know, so that he still feels like HE'S in charge... What's really funny is, this is one of the big complaints many people make about "Fifty Shades of Grey", Christian Grey dominates the will of the leading woman! Replace Grey's desire for S&M with a desire for making a mother out of her, and you have Clay (in a motivational sense).

Let's take a look at what love is, according to the Bible that I assume Clay is familiar with: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth" 1 Corinthians 13:4-5. I've mentioned how Clay is often IMPATIENT and EASILY- ANGERED with Amber on their dates. This also makes it hard for him to REJOICE WITH THE TRUTH doesn't it? He often lectures to Amber and his friends on how their ways are wrong, which seems pretty PROUD to me. Clay only sees Amber as the future mother of his children and often shuts down her opinions, he's SELF-SEEKING. At one point he reads the church book and asks Amber "How many sexual partners have you had in the past ten years?", which sounds to me like he's trying to KEEP A RECORD OF HER WRONGS. There are many aspects of love which Clay clearly has no interest in keeping in mind.

The "values" that this movie's protagonist espouse about relationships ARE NOT Christian VALUES. They are the values of someone who does not want to take responsibility for his own actions, who doesn't understand how relationships and dating works, who has little interest in understanding who is love interest is as a person, and who is more concerned with turning everyone around him into straw men for his confused philosophy about love. And since the ACTOR who plays the protagonist is also the WRITER AND DIRECTOR of the movie, I'm guessing these are his values, and he needs to seek help. Maybe from a psychologist, or maybe from an understanding Christian minister who isn't absolutely insane.

Ever wonder what no chemistry looks like?

[Java_Joe · 1/10 · 17 May 2018]

This movie is bad. I know what they were going for and I know this is a faith based movie but they could at least have made it a good movie.

Rik Swartzwelder plays Clay the titular Old Fashioned kind of guy who wants to focus more on the courtship of the relationship than just having a regular date. He's a carpenter and a handyman and owns a shop with an apartment up top. Into this apartment moves the lovely Elizabeth Roberts playing Amber. She's new in town, needs a place to stay and sparks fly between her and Clay.

Sorry, did I say sparks fly? I meant things kind of fizzle between them. You see Clay refuses to be alone in a room with a woman who isn't his wife. According to him it's nothing personal. But this is something that somebody who literally can't control themselves would say, The man isn't even that charismatic. But movies like this require a male lead and since he's the writer and director, I guess that means he fits.

Clay is, to put it frankly, creepy as hell. He's the kind of guy that looks like creepy music should be playing over him when he's on screen. But for some reason Amber finds him attractive and after doing everything in her power to spend time with him threatens to destroy her apartment unless he goes on a date with her.

Well, what kind of guy can say no to that? So they have the most boring and uninteresting dates together. It's made even worse that they get a couple of books, from church of all places, that tell them whether to continue, be warned or stop completely. Yes, it's called "Red, Yellow, Green" and it's an actual book.

Clay is emotionally abusive, thinks he's better than everybody and acts really passive aggressive. But Amber finds this charming. Considering that a former boyfriend once broke her arm for wearing the wrong nail polish I think I can see a self-destructive pattern here in choosing the wrong men.

They have a third act breakup, they get back together and he proposes to her. He proposes in the baby food aisle of the supermarket like a maniac would. And we're supposed to believe that all this is charming.

I realize I'm not the target audience for this but that shouldn't prevent anybody from enjoying a movie. And yet, here we are.

One of the weirdest, strangest, creepiest... yet strangely enjoyable movies I've ever had to review.

[blackcatloner · 6/10 · 21 January 2017]

So I reviewed the movie Old Fashioned and it's a religious movie that has been billed as the "Anti-Fifty Shades of Grey" and while it's slightly better than Fifty Shades as well as every movie based on a Nicholas Sparks novel that ever hit theaters, it's still not very good.

We are introduced to Clay Walsh, a man whose past consisted of making Girls Gone Wild-style videos who has since renounced that life and became a born-again Christian who spouts theories about today's dating scene and how dating is basically something that leads to sex before the "getting to know you" phase. However, the people around him have basically written him off as a crazy recluse.

That is until free-spirited Amber comes to town. A woman who is fleeing from a series of abusive relationships, Amber winds up in Clay's hometown and rents the apartment above Clay's antique shop. She quickly becomes intrigued by Clay's theories on relationships, most notably the fact that he won't be alone in a room with a woman he's not married to (which I've never heard of before and that actually makes Clay out to look more like a serial killer instead of an honorable man who is trying to respect the opposite sex.)

The two soon embark on a relationship where they attempt the impossible: Reintroducing courtship rituals that are a hundred years out of date into a society that revolves around sex, which includes a slightly creepy scene where Clay makes Amber cut up pears to feed to his friend's baby.

Overall, some of the overtures of the movie are a bit unsettling and there are scenes where it's padded out with B-roll footage of the beautiful Ohio landscape which the director relies on far too much.

But with the exception of the male lead, the acting in the movie is pretty solid, mainly the female lead (even when she's being creepy when she's breaking all her stuff to get Clay to go out with her.)

As far as the movie goes, I would recommend this for a bad movie night.

The tale of a psycho trying to find love

[jquick-327-623342 · 1/10 · 12 January 2016]

Let's start with our main character (and director) Clay. He is a 40+ year old man that runs an antique store while dressing like a frat boy with a surfer's haircut. Clay is so out of control of his desires that he can't even be in the same room with another woman and believes in the teaching's of a radio shock jock that says "women are stupid" (Direct quote) while desiring such power that he enforces his beliefs on others without question. Now you may think this gentleman is some kind of terroristic person attempting to impose sharia law on law abiding citizens. Surprise! Clay is a deeply religious Christian man that can't help stopping his friend's bachelor party and kicking everyone out instead of just leaving because he feels uncomfortable. Be as religious as you want, Clay, just let other people live their lives the way they would like to because this is America and that's kind of the whole idea.

The female lead is pretty charming, though, and the there are some great looking shots of the Ohio landscape, but more than anything this film is a boring lesson on how to be a preachy, controlling dick.

Unlike any faith-based film I've ever seen

[autumnheston · 8/10 · 30 November 2014]

I saw Old Fashioned at a "sneak peek" event in Florida and was pleasantly surprised. The scenery is just beautiful and really adds to the tender, rustic feel of the whole story. And the story itself is profoundly moving. The relationship between the two main characters is something that really resonated with me. I loved the chemistry between the two characters (Clay and Amber) and found things in both that are just like me. Amber is just adorable and I'd like to find a guy like Clay in the real world. I also loved the subtle nature of this "faith-based" film. It definitely affirmed my faith and my struggles to live as a godly, single person; but, it did so without hitting me over the head with religion (so many "faith-based" films seem to treat the audience like they're idiots! We get it, already!) This isn't just a good "faith-based" film, it's a good (even if a little slow) indie film -- period. I've never seen a film quite like it.

Slow But Steady

[john-195-232222 · 7/10 · 15 February 2015]

This movie ranks above average for a faith-based film. It is well-written in parts, has beautiful scenery, has many songs on its sound-track, is well-acted, and uses various film techniques that I have rarely if ever seen used. My wife said the main characters had good chemistry, and I thought so, too. It was a film with many romantic moments.

That said, the pace of the movie was slow, at times painfully slow. It could have been edited to be 20-30 minutes shorter. Toward the end, it got a little preachy, which is the absolute worse part of most faith-based films since their audiences (seemingly unbeknownst to their writers) are already 99.44 percent conservative Christian. Preaching to the choir is both irrelevant and boring.

The problem for most romantic comedies is finding some realistic conflict that causes the lovers to quarrel and separate before they finally kiss and make up at the end. Unfortunately, this film did not adequately solve the problem. The conflict in this case seemed forced and therefore was unsatisfying.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie and was sorry it did not show in more cities. I had to travel to a small, Bible-belt town to see it in the theater. I think it will earn back what it cost to make, or at least it deserves to. This film fell just short of being a film one could highly recommend.

Ever wanted to see a romance film about two people with zero chemistry?

[johnplocar · 1/10 · 11 January 2016]

I hate this movie so much that typing the title just peeved me off all over again, and I've had a whole day to cool off from this one. I'm cutting to the chase here, this was terrible. I know that last week I was really peeved about "Self/less", but at least I was mad about how that movie could have been better if it wasn't for the obvious post-production tampering it went through; while this movie here had no chance. This is the Christian answer to "50 Shades of Grey", reducing all the sex in movies so that the real romance can be seen because according to the tag-line, "Chivalry makes a comeback" here. You know that's fine in all if you have a problem with the overuse of sex and nudity in films nowadays, but the love story doesn't quite work when there isn't any real love going on in the story. The two lead characters are sociopaths. There is no chemistry between the two of them, there is little to no compatibility, the morals and messages are screwed in the head at best, the acting is awkward, the editing and camera-work is pretentious, the writing was done by someone with a lot of issues. The film was written, directed and starring Rik Swartzwelder and co-starring Elizabeth Roberts; a story about a woman (Amber) who just wonders into town with her cat and rents an apartment over an antique repair shop owned by a man with a troubled past who found Christianity (Clay). Amber wants to get into a relationship with Clay, but Clay doesn't believe in relationships. Or dating. Or private conversations with women. Or kissing. His logic is that dating is only something that leads to having sex and learning how to lie to their partner to appear more likable. In no way does it help to get to know one another, have fun or anything of that sort; it is all manipulation. So his thinking is that they skip right into having her properly trained for marriage and raising children before even knowing that they will be emotionally or physically compatible. This guy refuses to be in the same room with a woman alone, immediately giving off a vibe that he was or is a rapist with no self-control, although that's what he claims to be "control". Throughout the first act of this movie Amber is basically trying to get him in her pants, but the movie makes it out as her being "interested" in him. Even though there is no charisma to the guy at all; every line that this guy delivers is so flat that I'm sitting there wondering if this guy truly is a sociopath. At what point is this going to become a thriller? I can totally understand why people would have issues with nudity in films and are even against something like "50 Shades of Grey", which I wasn't even the biggest fan of "50 Shades" but there has got to be a middle ground of some sort. You don't need sex to have romantic chemistry with someone, but it might help to have the leads talking in the same room at least. "50 Shades of Grey" isn't a masterpiece, but it has a lot more going on with it than this movie does. I've done some thinking about it and I'm pretty sure that this is the worst romance film I have ever seen. I have seen a lot of them surprisingly; a lot of bad ones though like "The Twilight Saga", "The Great Gatsby", "A Walk to Remember", "Dear John", "He's Just Not That Into You", "Valentine's Day", "Moment by Moment", and "Two of a Kind" the film where god threatens to destroy the entire world and everyone in it unless John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John get together…yeah, these are better than this freaking thing. This was self-righteous crap cut into a two hour "romance" film as a disguise. In terms of its obvious competition against "50 Shades", and I'd say go see "50 Shades" over this. But in terms of romantic movies from this year that I strongly recommend over this then I say go with this year's "Playing It Cool" which touches on some of the tropes seen in a lot of romance films and plays with it. "Trainwreck" which had actual chemistry between the two leads and knew how to integrate the comedy in the film better than something found in this like "Never met a man I liked more than chocolate, and I've been married three times!" …yeah that was in "Old Fashioned"… there's a lot that I didn't touch on, but I'm not getting back into it now. Just avoid at all costs please. No matter how sick of sex and nudity you may be with films today, I promise that there are better alternatives in terms of romance flicks. "Annie Hall", "The Princess Bride", "10 Things I Hate About You", "500 Days of Summer", "Say Anything…", "Knocked Up", "Lost in Translation", "Edward Scissorhands", "The Fly" where a man is turning into a 185 pound fly and has his romantic interest blow his head off with a shotgun is a better romantic comedy than this.

Original and Endearing look at Love and Relationships

[evan-185 · 8/10 · 10 December 2014]

Old Fashioned is original, honest, and compelling.

A gem of a film in the faith-based genre, it had just the right amount of tension and humor, and a wide array of perspectives on love and relationships. Swartzwelder's approach to faith, life, forgiveness and grace is refreshing for the genre and is sure to give audiences plenty to think about when the credits roll. Elizabeth Roberts is charming and magnetic. I expect to see her a lot more around Hollywood.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and can't wait to see what's next from Rik. Fathers, take your sons to this movie. Mothers, take your daughters. This is a movie worth seeing, not just because of its message, but because it's a good story, well told.

An old-fashioned story conducted in a new style for Christian cinema

[StevePulaski · 6/10 · 20 July 2015]

Old Fashioned begins aptly with the kind of 1950's Hollywood hokiness that came in the form of title cards, simplistic orchestration for background music, and warm and inviting cinematography to comfort and seduce the viewer so that he or she knows that everything was going to be okay. Being that this film comes distributed courtesy of Freestyle Releasing, a known distributor that releases Christian films in conjunction with Pure Flix Entertainment, I feared that this film would derail rather quickly into a petty bout of sermonizing and oversimplifications.

Pleasantly, however, only half of that is true and that half is the oversimplification. Old Fashioned, despite its religious affiliation, is not a film that sermonizes nor does it feel like a vacation Bible school film with a vacation Bible school budget. In many ways, this is a sad, deeply contemplative film about the isolation that can come with religion and personal punishment, where one's past haunts them so greatly they decide to cut themselves off from the conventions of the real world and fall prey to the dictation of the Bible. While Old Fashioned isn't that extreme, its undertones are indeed, and the result is a film that's an examination of modern relationships through a religious lens that's soft and moody.

Writer/director/producer Rik Swartzwelder in his cinematic debut plays Clay Walsh, a former frat boy, who has settled down in a sleepy Midwestern town. He runs an antique shop, leases out a building to tenants, and grounds himself in his puritanical beliefs on love, romance, and God. Clay's beliefs, which he bills as "theories," revolve around the refusal to date (because it only makes people good at dating rather than being good at talking and sharing feelings) and his refusal to kiss any woman he doesn't love. These strict, almost Quaker-like beliefs make him the butt of his coworker but loyal friend David (LeJon Woods), who stuck behind Clay's decision to mellow out following a spell of greed, deception, and rowdiness during his college days.

One day, a woman named Amber Hewson (Elizabeth Ann Roberts) runs out of gas near Clay's building and subsequently offers to rent out a place to stay for the time being. Amber takes an immediate interest to Clay's morals and "theories," and soon enough, the two bond because of their mutual state of loneliness and desire for "something different," whatever that different element may be. An admittedly corny but charming scene between the two takes place in a supermarket, with Clay and Amber meeting one another in the same aisle and proceeding to do the remainder of their shopping together. She buys sugarfree cinnamon gum and insists it can indeed be romantic and he buys wagon-wheel pasta, insisting the same although she doesn't quite believe him.

Much like Clay, Amber has a past she's driving away from, quiet literally in this case. Instead of grounding herself in hardened, old fashioned beliefs, she packs up her things and drives until she's out of gas, forming a new life where she stalled. She keeps a large jar atop her refrigerator, which she fills with spare cash throughout her stay. Once it fills up, she takes the money, buys gas, and heads out; a truly risky but ultimately free sense of life. Clay and Amber's relationship is predicated upon their trust in one another, as it should, but also their lack of knowledge of one another's past, which slowly comes to fruition through friends and acquaintances.

Old Fashioned, as an idea, sounds like yet another film from the traditional values crowd that harps on the alleged sanctity of heterosexual marriage and that love should be as picturesque as films and the media would lead you to believe it was decades ago. Yet, the mood of Old Fashioned doesn't always reflect that. Swartzwelder creates a decidedly bleak, almost dingy environment, one that's recognizable but relatively unromantic and unattractive. He paints a character who is shackled by his own religion and the boundaries set by nobody else but him that have, in turn, kept him trapped in a box for which he's growing too big. With that, as soon as he gets something that may compliment him and his hardened morals, he doesn't exactly know how to handle it without continuing to restrict himself. Clay doesn't know how to operate without self-correcting or over-correcting his mistakes until he's miserable and lonesome, and Amber, along with his friends, have been trying to show him despite being ignored and doubted.

Old Fashioned is a very potent film when it comes to its themes, but its execution in the emotional and romantic fields is about as obtuse and jarring as the latest Nicholas Sparks novels. The glaring mawkishness and overwrought sentimentality thrown in Old Fashioned, especially during its conclusion, are major detractors that turn the film from a serious depiction of loneliness into a facile one that is remedied by post-card depictions of love and romance. Had these emotional and romantic scenes been much more understated, this film would be in line with a mumblecore film that Joe Swanberg or even the brothers Duplass would make. However, the grating, contrived scenes of passion work to distract and, ultimately, cover up what this film should really be at the forefront of this film.

Religion, for all the hope, optimism, and relief it provides individuals, can isolate and hurt on a personal level and Old Fashioned shows this in a daring examination of self. It's a methodical exercise that drifts from being a contemplative introspection to introducing an ostensible duality that, in the end, doesn't seem to be too distant from our main subject. For as overwrought and incredulous as it can be, it's also surprisingly tender.

Starring: Rik Swartzwelder, Elizabeth Ann Roberts, and LeJon Woods. Directed by: Rik Swartzwelder.

Creepy guy refuses to be in a room with women

[helenesovig · 1/10 · 16 November 2019]

Are you a Christian woman looking for a romance with a charming, respectful, old fashioned guy? Well if you can settle for the guy part, then this movie might be what you've been looking for! In this tale of love and no actual conflict, a beautiful, young, Christian girl named Amber, moves into her new home above an antique store. She meets the stores owner Clay and quickly finds out that he has so little self control, he can't be in a room with a woman, he's not related to. This means no being friends with women, no female doctors and no treating women like actual human beings. To Clay, women are wives, mothers, aunts, grandmothers or sex objects and nothing more. Our protagonist just got out of a very violent relationship, with an overly controlling man and is therefore so mentally unstabled and timit that she sees anyone, who doesn't out right mistreat her as a possible mate. You can f. ex. see this when Clay shows her that he has a list to remind himself to treat women with basic human decency and she isn't frightened. Another example is when he tells her that he thinks dates are only sexual encounters and not coffee or dinner. Amber doesn't correct him for some reason, despite having been on dates before. The couple breaks up breefly, not because Clay suddenly snaps and tries to eat Amber's face, but because Amber finds out he once made some "Girls gone wild" videos. Alas Amber does not escape the clutches of Clay and the movie ends with him proposing in the baby food isles in a grocery store. Guess he was too horny to wait any longer, or something. Maybe he still just saw her as a baby-maker2000, either way he wanted to get married and get buissy right now.

Old Fashioned is everything it wasn't supposed to be

[djtaco59 · 3/10 · 15 February 2015]

I put a great deal of trust in IMDb ratings and reviews, and this Christian love story hanging just below 7/10 was more than enough encouragement for my girlfriend and I to give it a shot this Valentine's weekend. Let me advise you to do otherwise.

We received reliable reviews that this film was "not preachy", and a cut above other Christian films. I enjoyed 'The Ultimate Gift', 'Fireproof', etc. but could not choke this one down, though there was plenty of choking. We winced at each exchange between the main character and his 'predestined' love. The dialogue bluntly beats the viewer over the head with the message that Victorian-era courtship is the only proper way to interact with a woman in a laughably misogynistic presentation of our culture. In the film, simple-minded women are totally at the mercy of their man's virtue or lack thereof, and men are bound to take advantage of that unless they drink tea with their aunt periodically, or something like that. Filmmakers are free to present their message, but someone should tell Swartzwelder that a little subtlety and creativity goes a long way.

We chose not to stick around and learn more about the protagonist's dark past of Girls Gone Wild videotapes. The pretty cinematography couldn't distract from the 'Leave it to Beaver' morals, gushy prattle and suffocating veneration of gramophones, shooting hoops and wood working. Neither of us had walked out of a film before, but 'Old Fashioned' proved to be a ground-breaking film in this regard only.

Old Fashioned should be called Psycho Part 2

[logandelaneyymail-com · 1/10 · 21 March 2016]

Want to see a romantic movie of two people who have absolutely no chemistry? Well this is your movie. I'm personally not a Christian but even if this movie wasn't a Christian film, it would still be horrible. None of the characters were interesting besides Clay and that was because he was so crazy and his morals made no sense. Clay can't be in a room with another woman because of a promise? Is the guy a rapist or something, it's like the guy has absolutely no self control or something. Clay is also very boring and dull but yet the character Amber finds him charming. Clay also tries and says that dating does nothing and doesn't add to a relationship. He says that what do you learn from jumping in bed and then finding out if you have anything in common after-wards, it begs the question, what kind of dates has this guy been on. Another thing I have with this movie and many other Christian movies is that it portrays all non- religious people as being douche-bags or dick heads. Besides the fact that the characters are boring, dull, and have shitty and stupid morals, the film is still bad. The film damn near put me to sleep. Nothing was interesting in this movie and I have no problems with romance films. I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone, not even my religious friends. The only way I would recommend this film is if you wanted to watch something that was so appalling and out there that it's unreal.

Good date movie

[Stwworldtraveler · 7/10 · 15 February 2015]

Overall, I liked this movie. It has beautiful countryside,endearing themes and an overall serene feel. But I disagree with the gimmick marketing as a 'wholesome' alternative to 50 shades of grey. It does a disservice to a quietly cute film. (And denies obvious similarities between Grey and Clay-obsessive compulsive men over compensating for perceived "badness", control freaks with strict my way or the highway dating rules, etc...just with different extreme coping mechanisms.) Which brings me back to old fashioned. It explores these themes with humor and poise, willing to make playful fun of Clay's rigid hyper religiosity and very human journey. I think the grandmother summed it up quite well at the end because extremes of any sort are more about the past than the present moment. I loved when she told him to get over himself. This movie was worth the time if only to open a discussion about the purpose of dating, using compatibility tools, finding spiritual balance/spirituality in relationships and establishing intimacy.

Update: I didn't find it purposely misogynistic just focused the male lead. I duly note that some people were offended/insulted by the paternalistic overtones. That's pretty par for the course with faith based films. And to be fair western civilization was founded on those principles (so it's comfortable for most men and women). Take it with a grain of salt as a great conversation starter on a first date to identify belief system/value compatibility. Even if it means he/she thought it was a great movie and you felt like Clay was a self righteous jerk until the end.

It sucks. Don't watch.

[Katlord13 · 1/10 · 21 February 2015]

Seriously don't watch one of the worst movies of the current generation. I'm pretty sure I got cancer from watching it. Blah blah. It's just another Christian make you feel bad about yourself movie. It's whole theory is that dating is wrong and bad and you'll only cause yourself pain by living a normal life. If one more movie like this gets released the entirety of the entertainment industry will go under. I could keep going on but I need a palette cleanser maybe I'll go watch Pluto Nash. Yea that's sounds like a good idea. How this movie got 7/10 is beyond me I thought we had better standards than this. Nothing good can come out of a movie like this.

It truly touched my heart, Old Fashioned Romance.....

[TerriSpiveyGould · 10/10 · 10 December 2014]

I was able to see a private screening of this Amazing movie, and it will most definitely be one that I purchase to watch over and over again! Everything comes together so beautifully, the actors, the scenes are amazing and the music is perfect! It's funny,it's serious and touched all of my emotions. (yes I cried too!!) It truly touched my heart, leaving me wanting to slow down this fast paced life we all live in,move to Ohio, adopt Aunt Zella and start living life with Old Fashioned Values. So for 115 minutes I encourage you to turn off all social media, grab some popcorn and allow yourself to enjoy a old fashioned courtship!!!

Movie is Creepy, Alarming and Disturbing.

[troycarguy · 1/10 · 19 October 2020]

This movie is utter garbage. The guy comes off creepy, disturbing and frankly alarming. DO NOT WATCH THIS FILM.

Dating doesn't make us good husbands and wives, it just makes us better dates.

[loradavis · 10/10 · 3 June 2017]

In a time where it is common place to hand out condoms in high schools, and support abortions instead of teaching abstinence, Old Fashioned was a refreshing movie. Oh that there were more men out there like Clay...more young women who are drawn to the goodness of men like Clay...Old Fashioned is not a fairy tale but what life could be like when priorities are in line with how we were created....after all "dating doesn't make us better husbands and wives, it just makes us better dates".

Highly recommend for parents with teens getting ready for the dating age.. We watched it as a family and the lessons are still being talked about.

We need more movies like this. Well written, well cast, all around great film.

nonsense

[kristerandersson · 1/10 · 22 March 2017]

no this film is about people adhering to Christian myths, which is pathetic to say the least. They áre trying to push the Christian myths and they have no problems lying for jebus. One can wonder what persons fund this and why? Furthermore why is this garbage even made? Do they really Think that people are that stupid?

Old Fashioned or Post-Modern Christianity on Display?

[DeusWar · 5/10 · 31 August 2015]

These days in American Christian Filmography it appears that the only thing that would be considered "Old Fashioned" would be a hopeful expectation for a Christian movie in which the viewer can enjoy the development of a love story uninhibited with post-modern agendas! For the born-again Christian viewer, this movie presents some serious issues.

Although an ideal setup for a blooming romance film with all of the correct elements one would hope for: a small American town, excellent filmography with use of proper lens filters to set the moods, distinct believable characters, and even some chemistry with the main love interests; the agenda just seems to be far too distracting. With a name like Old Fashioned, the targeted Christian audience likely assumes that the movie will be a decent romance film promoting some traditional values in romance. Wrong! The film was marketed to Christians was it not? To a degree this film does promote traditional values, but yet at the same time derides them openly which causes confusion.

Each character seems to represent some kind of stereotype in the world of modern American relationships. The main male character represents a man who was a 'frat boy' in his college days, but later became a born-again Christian after realizing that the riches he obtained from making a spring break porno movie was immoral. He also apparently hurt a woman that he loved by rejecting her, which led her to rebound into another relationship which led to an early unforeseen pregnancy and marriage to another man. From past hurts he apparently decides to accept Christ, to go in the opposite direction to a more conservative idea of high standards, and rejects dating altogether. This man has two main friends which appear in the movie as side characters. One man is a college friend who has lived with his girlfriend for 8 years and has one child with her. It is unclear if he is born-again, but nevertheless he decides to get married, which leads one of the main subplots in the movie. The other man is a radio host who represents the stereotypical male chauvinist who chides women and takes advantage of them while deriding anything having to do with Christianity. The main female character of the film represents a woman who is somewhat spiritual but not religious, who has a questionable past, and is introduced to the viewer by moving into the small town after it is later revealed that she is on the run from past relationships. Two other minor characters are also introduced as her co-workers: one young free-spirited feminist woman who has very open relationships (portrayed as hooking up with bad boys in the bar), and another who is a bitter thrice divorced feminist type character. These characters have some influence on the main female character. Finally, the main man's aunt is introduced as a wise sage-like figure that can apparently speak the truth into her nephew's life. (It is unclear if she is a born-again Christian) So, with each character introduced the main plot builds around the romance between the new woman and the main man and how their various interactions with side characters effects the relationship. Seems standard enough for a romance film.

But, alas! Now we are ready to be indoctrinated. Clearly this film portrays the main character as the ideal moral Christian man, yet at the same time portrays him as antiquated as well as unrealistic. Throughout the film most characters deride this man for his 'high' ideals. At one point he heroically walks out of a bachelor party, which gives his friend courage to do the same! It is clear that he is a strong Christian man. Yet at the same time there is a scene in which he derides going to church. Surprisingly enough, though the man's main love interest derides him for his standards as well, she is also strangely attracted to him. It is quite obvious that she is the pursuer in this relationship, which is quite a spin on the traditional male pursuit in dating relationships. She clearly sends the signals and orchestrates events to catch the man throughout the film. (This film clearly promotes women as being strong leaders, while men are weaklings.) Throughout the film it is quite unclear if the main woman in the film is even a born-again Christian! She appears to be very bitter about past relationships as well as confused about her spiritual status. One event in the movie leads her to read her bible out of sorrow, however it is quite unclear if she is born-again or becomes born-again. Toward the end of the movie when the main female character's sexual past is revealed to the man during a conversation, he apparently rejects her. This would make sense to the Christian viewer that has biblical standards! In real life most Christians with biblical standards would not even date someone that was not clearly a born-again believer! Yet, the agenda of the film moves into full swing at this point. After the man rejects the woman he is confronted by his aunt. His aunt (unknown if she is born-again) essentially intimidates, manipulates, and pressures the man for holding to his standards. (Does not the bible indicate that non-Christians will reject Christian standards?) She essentially calls him a coward which is an obvious challenge to his manhood. After thinking about his Aunts intense tirade he does a complete 180 change from his standards and trusts his feelings for the main female character instead! The last scene is somewhat confusing, for the film goes from the main character rejecting the love interest to setting up a detailed romantic place to propose marriage to the love interest of the movie! This seems to imply that frills and gimmicks in a relationship (temporary romantic setup for engagement) are more important than unresolved issues in a relationship. (Past sexual issues, Being a born-again Christian, bitterness, etc.) Of course she accepts him, thus ending the movie.

A must see for the die hard romantic.

[lesleyntim · 10/10 · 5 December 2016]

Grab a comfy blanket, a bowl of popcorn and your sweetheart and watch Old Fashioned starring Rik Swartzwelder and Elizabeth Ann Roberts. The main characters as well as the supporting cast are so down to earth and relatable . You feel like rooting for this couple from the very start ! As most of us, they come with baggage from their past that of course weighs heavily upon their hearts. This really isn't the average boy meets girl story and to find out what I mean you must add this movie to your watch list. Guys, buy Old Fashioned DVD for your girl and believe me if you take time and watch it with her it will reinforce your feelings for one another. It shows that we can move on from our past, incorporate faith into our lives, be the people we know in our hearts we are and love without hesitation of not being accepted for our flaws.

Fantastic Movie With Hope for a Lasting Love

[patrickrhonda · 10/10 · 4 December 2016]

This movie exceeded all expectations. It gave great insight into what a relationship can be if approached with care and in a Biblical way. The chemistry between the actors was wonderful. Clay, incredibly handsome and sweet! I couldn't love a movie much more than this. It gives me hope that one day, I could find this sort of love and stirs the soul. There is a nice touch of comedy embedded in the story, and the scenes were perfectly set up. It was hard not to get lost in the movie (in a good way)! A great choice for an anniversary, Valentine's Day, a singles get-together, or just because. It is God-honoring, which is refreshing with so much garbage out there. This has quickly become one of my favorites and I love that the director plays the lead. He acted it out the way he desired it to be, and it was perfect.

Brilliant

[maxwellraymond889 · 10/10 · 17 January 2015]

What a fantastic portrayal of an alternate view of romance. The one that God intended for us. The best aspect of the film is that the protagonists are not perfect, or pale-faced virgins. They are far from that, and it makes the movie -- and its message--feel more real. The performances are surprisingly fantastic for an indie; Tyler and Clay's grandmother in particular are terrific actors. The scenery is also breathtaking, in particular for those fortunate to have grown up in the rolling hills of Ohio.

The movie is being marketed against 50 Shades, and it is an appropriate contrast. Mutual respect and a love of God are essential components of a healthy, long-term relationship. Life is reality, not fantasy. I only wish I had seen the movie when I was younger. Hopefully young adults everywhere can use the film as a how--to guide for navigating the crazy modern dating world. Thumbs up--way up!!!