Let me start by saying that I love made for TV quibbles, and I can overlook a lot. But there were a few things that put me over the edge with this movie.
First, the good parts--The actors were decent. I especially liked Scott Christopher and Shona Kay. Very natural and showed some depth. Shae Robin's did well, and Mason Davis was terrible as the fiancee, but better as the brother, which probably means he is a decent actor.
I liked that there was some depth in discussing medical missions and grief.
However, I had a few very major quibbles. First of all, I have been to the Philippines. The ridiculous portrayal of the people of the Philippines was a huge turn off. Every Filipino was depicted with torn and dirty clothes and dirt literally smeared on their faces. I can understand showing that they were working with disadvantaged people by having worn out clothing. But dirt wiped across their faces? The village leader and their interpreter with ludicrously dirty clothes? And not just one. Every single Filipino looked like that. It was offensive and grossly inaccurate.
Secondly, the whole time, we obviously know that they are going to fall in love. No problem. The problems will begin when they get home. But they never go home! There is no resolution! They admit their feelings and decide to try it out. But HOW? These are not minor issues. And at the end, they slip in that her wedding was cancelled only 3 months ago. WHAT?!?!! I understand rom-com time is different, but 3 months from a wedding to dating the identical twin? 6 moths would have been too short. 2 years would have made more sense to me! And all it would have taken was one line different. They would have needed major restructuring to include an actual resolution, though.
Whew, I don't think I have every written a review before, but I had to get that off my chest!
First, the good parts--The actors were decent. I especially liked Scott Christopher and Shona Kay. Very natural and showed some depth. Shae Robin's did well, and Mason Davis was terrible as the fiancee, but better as the brother, which probably means he is a decent actor.
I liked that there was some depth in discussing medical missions and grief.
However, I had a few very major quibbles. First of all, I have been to the Philippines. The ridiculous portrayal of the people of the Philippines was a huge turn off. Every Filipino was depicted with torn and dirty clothes and dirt literally smeared on their faces. I can understand showing that they were working with disadvantaged people by having worn out clothing. But dirt wiped across their faces? The village leader and their interpreter with ludicrously dirty clothes? And not just one. Every single Filipino looked like that. It was offensive and grossly inaccurate.
Secondly, the whole time, we obviously know that they are going to fall in love. No problem. The problems will begin when they get home. But they never go home! There is no resolution! They admit their feelings and decide to try it out. But HOW? These are not minor issues. And at the end, they slip in that her wedding was cancelled only 3 months ago. WHAT?!?!! I understand rom-com time is different, but 3 months from a wedding to dating the identical twin? 6 moths would have been too short. 2 years would have made more sense to me! And all it would have taken was one line different. They would have needed major restructuring to include an actual resolution, though.
Whew, I don't think I have every written a review before, but I had to get that off my chest!