Not one of the best I ever saw, but it was still well worth watching, Yes I will recommend it. James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 1/28/2021
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jewelch29 January 2021
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Jackbv12329 May 2021This is not a getting to know each other romance, but a rebuilding a marriage romance.
Oh that ever looming partnership. That's really the problem with this marriage. This man loves his wife, I really never doubted that. But his job and bosses are demanding and that's the root of the problem.
The logistics of this movie wants it both ways. The job is so demanding the husband is always late and the bosses get ever more demanding. Yet somehow he finds time in the week before his Big Presentation (on Mother's Day weekend no less) to do all kinds of other things. A lot of them.
Candace is Candace. I'm not that familiar with Ty Olsson. Like I said, you can see Olsson's character loves his wife and likewise for Candace's
The finish was excellent, if a bit sappy, and too good to be true. -
TheLittleSongbird20 May 20232015 did see some good and more Hallmark films, such as 'Surprised by Love', 'A Country Wedding' and 'All of My Heart'. It did also see some duds, like 'Merry Matrimony', 'Love by the Book' and 'Portrait of Love'. 'Just the Way You Are' has a premise that is not a novel one by any stretch of the imagination, have seen it a number of times with Hallmark since (although seeing those prior to this) with varied success, and it is one that can go on either way of charming and fun or dull and cheesy.
Despite the presence of the more watchable than not Candace Cameron Bure in the female lead role, 'Just the Way You Are' didn't connect with me or come together that well, so closer to the latter category. There are certainly far worse films out there, it has its good things (including Bure) and it is not quite down there with the worst 2015 Hallmark films. As well as nowhere near one of their worst overall. 'Just the Way You Are just has too many flaws, is not particularly good and does not do a good job at all bringing something new or interesting to a premise that isn't really all that great.
Am going to start with the good. Bure is indeed the best thing about 'Just the Way You Are', in a charming and heartfelt performances that shines when the film doesn't take itself too seriously. The supporting cast do acceptably, despite not having much to work with.
The production values are always lovely to watch and the film does start off promisingly. Did like the use of Billy Joel.
'Just the Way You Are' doesn't come together however, despite this reviewer really wanting it to. The story is very formulaic with no surprises, and is also too slow. Especially later on when the storytelling becomes thinner to the point of having very little plot and the number of overlong draggy scenes increased. On the whole, there is no tension, the drama comes over as dull and over serious and the film is too sugary sweet and too sentimental.
Furthermore, the conflict is forced and severely under-developed, also didn't buy how far too easily and hastily it was resolved. The dialogue is full of cheese and sudsy schmaltz with nothing sounding natural or like everyday conversation. Bure and Ty Olsson have very weak chemistry, didn't detect much as a matter of fact and what there was didn't go very far. It doesn't help that Olsson is very out of his depth here and proves himself too lightweight in leading roles, his character is a personality free cipher as well.
On the whole, pretty lacklustre that is made semi-watchable by Bure. 4/10. -
utgard1417 May 2015A couple (Candace Cameron Bure, Ty Olsson) married for fifteen years struggle to put the spark back in their marriage. Unfortunately, they also struggle to put some spark into this movie. I usually enjoy Candace Cameron Bure's TV movies a lot. But this one was just so blah. The leads have very weak chemistry. Candace does a decent job but she's better in lighter, more comedic roles. She's gorgeous though and when the movie does lighten up she shines. The highlight of the entire movie is the batting scene. There is the charm and adorableness that I watch a CCB movie for. She's really the only reason to recommend this, although I think it will test the patience of even her biggest fans. Ty Olsson is more of a problem. I know him from a variety of guest appearances on TV shows. He's not a bad actor but honestly, and this will sound like more of a slam than it's intended to be, he's just not leading man material. I'm baffled as to why he was cast in this part.
To be fair to Olsson, I doubt even a stronger leading man would have saved this. It's just very clichéd material that fails to connect with its audience. Perhaps if the characters weren't so successful and perfect I might have cared more about them and their ONE problem. I mean, really, I rolled my eyes at these two so much while watching. "Oh no my life is only 85% perfect instead of 100. Woe is me." The biggest drawback to the movie is that it's so dull. I will give props to them for using the original Billy Joel song instead of some generic knock-off by a no-name singer, which is what I tend to expect from these things. Yeah they let the girl sing it in the end but there was an in-story reason for that. Prior to that every time they play it, it's Joel.
I've read that Candace thinks this is the best TV movie she's done yet. Just goes to show how actors and viewers aren't always on the same page because I think this was one of her worst. It's not a romantic comedy, as IMDb has it listed currently. It does have some light parts but it's really a romantic drama and not a particularly original or interesting one. -
kathytexan-125852 May 2020I loved the story and cast. Ty Olssen was great - he played a real guy, a believable husband and dad (unlike some Hallmark leads who seem a little light in the loafers). Candace was superb in another winning role. I really hoped all would turn out well for everyone. This movie was a pleasant surprise.
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anitalansing-40-58191523 February 2022The movie was watchable, but the movie was full of entitled and privileged people simply bumping into one another. No real problems that most people face. The wife appeared to be upset with the husband because he was serious about his job. Didn't she want that huge mortgage to get paid??
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gadkar-siddhesh3 November 2020Both the wife and the husband had their hearts in the right place which can be a rarity nowadays. Families stick together in tough times. I don't know why the rating is so low here but the movie is done well. Old school, a true spouse supports the other and not create more problems. Even during their fights, there was no shouting. I think this is how a marriage should be and not what's shown in "A Marriage story".
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Kirpianuscus25 June 2017for fans of romance, it is a wise choice. because it is different and well made and seductive. for the others - like me - , it could be a not bad choice. for the generous theme of marriage crisis as result of lost of flame. for the decent performances. and, sure, for beginning and the end - father Bob remembering so well Obama -. in same measure, the film has few virtues who are smart used . one - Rukiya Bernard as Claire who did an admirable job. the second - the front porch as symbol of family. the dance. the return to hobbies of youth - baseball , taco, song, dance. it is a beautiful film for the science to reflect a mature love. sure, using clichés and predictable recipes. but in a reasonable way. and this transforms it in a real, real seductive romance.
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ander-011729 June 2020It's a yo-yo story about recreating love in an aging relationship. Two people are wrapped in their careers and have forgotten the importance of family and dedication to keeping love vital. Kinda hokey and Slow.
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studioAT11 February 2021People moan that Hallmark films follow too tight a formula, so perhaps this one was an attempt at being different.
And while that's noble, this ends up being a bit of a mess.
I know she's popular but Candace Cameron Bure doesn't really do much for me, and she's not helped by a plodding script and story.
It's a nice concept, not brilliantly delivered. -
rebekahrox19 May 2015This started off quite promisingly. Cameron Bure is always pretty reliable, and Ty Olssen was a good fit as her overly involved in work husband. Some good conflict was set up with the Dad missing their 15th wedding anniversary and forgetting his sensitive daughters audition for the school play. This guy had some major grovelling to do. Seriously. Didn't happen. All was forgiven after a couple of very expensive and elaborate dates. That was the movie: sum and summary. A potential problem was averted when the Dad, once again, showed his selfishness and lack of consideration when he agreed to move pack up his family and move from Seattle to New Orleans without even telling the much put upon Candace. Nope. He just called his bosses bluff and he ended up managing the project from Seattle. Problem smoothed over with a spa day for wifey and a wedding vow renewal.
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Now that was a different Hallmark movie for sure! It starts out in a love relationship, married with kids, lasts up to 15 years, then they have to work on rekindling the flame that was there all along, it just needed a little shove in the right direction. It was different because it wasn't really about FINDING NEW LOVE, more than it was about FINDING THE LOVE THEY HAD AND LOST in each other. What a sweet movie indeed! It was a Mother's Day movie too. This would have been better to watch around Mother's Day instead, but I hadn't seen it yet and I enjoyed it a lot. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries pick great movies to view. Some of them might be corny and cheesy love stories, but I like most of them. Give it a shot! Record it on your DVR and watch it on Mother's Day with your mom. My absolute favorite part of this movie was the 'front porch' idea. It was the gathering place when I grew up. What happened to them!
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hender-7675321 August 2015May Contain Spoiler************ Let me start by saying that I am a big fan of Mrs. Bure and usually enjoy her movies. Yes, these Hallmark/ABC Family type movies might be predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless.
This movie was bad from just about the start. I understand the premise that the woman (Bure) feels like the romance is missing from her life, but the idea that she is supposedly making her husband go through the process of trying to date her again is nuts.
Spoiler Again**** So they go to dinner and he is supposed to pretend that he doesn't know her. Can't talk about home, can't talk about the kids. Then she says that her 1st husband was an architect. Wow, so now this guy is supposed to pretend that she was married before. -
aramisfan2 March 2017I Love Candace but this one is my favorite
Touching story line, love the couple, the chemistry is great, acting makes me feel as though I'm watching this couple as I peek into a window or something, very convincing! I could watch this everyday you've got to see it, you WONT be disappointed! -
kmgochez7 May 2019In the movie there is a scene where the couple gets all excited about a "Taco kingdom" food truck. They order tacos and chimichangas. All mexican food. The food truck is clearly called "GUANACOS" and it states "Salvadoran cuisine". I can't believe even in a Hallmark movie they would make this racist food mistake. Come onnnn people!! Who checks these details?? It's annoying enough when you meet ignorant people who think all latin America has the same kind of food. But to see it on tv!! I bet you could hire someone for free just to check this stuff. Let's show the world that american and canadian people are well educated and cultured.