"The moment you wanna quit is the moment you've gotta just keep pushing even harder."
Hello everyone!
Why?
Well, because every once in a while, for the most part, I kind of wander back to my old ways (the days when I would watch copious amounts of Hallmark Channel movies aren't that far behind me yet!) and want to see whether or not there've been any changes.
There haven't, not that many in any event, but at the very least things are pretty amusing for the most part.
That was what happened this past Sunday as I was picking a movie to watch for Tuesday's blog. And the only real reason I chose it was because I'm intrigued by the whole, dancing around on silks thing, as well as Jocelyn Hudon, who I feel is a magnificent find to stardom.
I just can't wait to see her in more cinematic pieces!
Until then, without further ado, let's have a look at Romance with a Twist.
Since I'm not really doing any Hallmark series posts on here there won't be any to link down below but, I'm sure that'll change in future.
Romance with a Twist is the story of how an ex-dancer becomes an aerialist, which I'm not sure on the physics and skill of but, I suppose if anyone, then a dancer would probably be able to transition the easiest? Who knows.
Anyway, Luna (Hudon) is said ex-dancer, and I say ex because she used to dance for a company that split after the owners divorced, then she had a few bad auditions, and then her family needed her home for their construction business so, she's just never moved past that.
Currently, she's helping her best friend set things up for the Art Festival their town's hosting, which will also showcase professional athletes being paired with local talent during several points - the main highlight here being the return of bestie's brother Bennett, a world-famous aerialist who tours the globe with the TV's version of Cirque du Soleil.
The only problem of his return is that his partner inconveniently does NOT return with him, so he's keen on just putting on a solo performance, but as the whole pairs aspect is the heart and soul of the show, his sister convinces him to hold auditions.
She also convinces Luna to attend and show that she can, technically, get things done, much to Bennett's displeasure.
Listen, the guy's an absolutely arrogant ass for the first half of the movie, with no real rhyme or reason behind it. He walks into the studio and immediately starts barking at Luna as if it's his own personal possession and why the hell does she even DARE touch it, and it doesn't get any better from there on out, not that we ever get any real explanation.
Things kind of go from bad to worse during an impromptu interview the sister arranges, which of course bombs, and Bennett doesn't make Luna feel any better about it either, but at least he finally sees some sense (whether because he sees her dancing or just because his sister verbally kicks his ass) and the two of them make a pact to actually be a team and make this happen.
He wants her to incorporate some of that musicality and atmosphere from dancing into their routine, and I'm left here wondering what kind of show this Cirque is putting on. I always thought there's PLENTY of routine and story to be told in Cirque du Soleil's shows, not solely technique!
Anyway, as the two finally start improving, they of course grow closer, to the point that Luna invites him over for her birthday bash, and they share a moment in the old family tree house, interrupted by her mother of course, but things kinda still go south when Luna caves under pressure during rehearsal under the watchful eye of her bestie's boss.
Bennett once again withdraws, but the boss at least is human enough to apologize and she and Luna have a little heart-to-heart (as boss is also in the show with a famous singer, at that), which leads to a lovely sing-off, by which time Bennett also makes a reappearance, after pretty much disappearing, mind you.
But the show must go on, so they clear the air between them, go to put on the silks performance, wow the crowd, and in the end Bennett tells Luna that the Cirque director watched the show, saw her with him, and wants her on tour with the rest of the group.
They kiss high up on the silks and all's well that ends well, I suppose!
The movie really takes a LONG time to pick up speed and make its hero likeable, because it's not until the last forty minutes to half hour that it actually happens. Bennett (Olivier Renaud) is mostly just an ass, and not even Hudon's charm can truly save that first half of the movie. The second half, when he thaws, is much more enjoyable to watch, and the aerialist bits are honestly pretty great!
Since I follow Hudon on Instagram I was able to see her prepare for the role as she posted a lot of clips on there, so I knew something big was coming and all that, but I'm seriously impressed with her versatility.
Overall though, this is more-or-less the same story Hallmark usually spins, with a little sprinkle here and there of something new, and while enjoyable (and Renaud certainly IS eye candy!) I feel like the roughness of the first half definitely off-sets the transition into the second one.
xx
*images and video not mine
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