Love Takes Flight

source: Love Takes Flight

I loved it from beginning to end. Simple, but good. Sometimes less is more, and this movie has it all. I wish all the Hallmark movies were like this. It even left me thinking about a lot of things. It seemed real. The movie is about real people. Loving and fun ones. People with problems, with issues. And of course, a happy ending!

This movie is not Lizzie and Charley's story. At least not solely. And it's important to see it that way. The problem with a TV movie over a book is that you can't tell both a romance story and another complex story in the time allowed and do them both justice. This movie tells Walter's story really well. That story heavily involves Quinn. It also involves Charley The writing and acting around that story is very good. It would be really good if Lizzie and Charley's story could have enough screen time to tell their story as well as Walter's. I felt the hole where there should have been more chemistry. I'm sure most people did. If I only wanted to know their story, then I would be really disappointed and I would think that the story never sells the idea that Lizzie fell so completely for Charley. Given the time they had to work with, they did pretty well. Nikki DeLoach is perfect for this role as a hospital administrator who has to think about the big picture and who experience has taught to separate personal and profession. Recently DeLoach has given good performances in at least a couple of movies that go deep. (Two Turtle Doves with honorable mentions for Love to the Rescue and Reunited at Christmas. I noticed Stephen R. Moore directed 3 of these 4.) I mentioned chemistry. The real chemistry in this movie was Skylar Olivia Flanagan, as the daughter, and Tom Thon as Walter. The scenes with them together sizzled with feeling. The story itself has a lot of fresh things in it. Yes, it also has some very predictable things in it. That doesn't mean you still don't need a lot of Kleenex and more than just one scene. My favorite dialogue: Lizzie: "Not in so many words." Barbara "How many words did you use?"

A few differences from the usual Hallmark movie. A helicopter pilot and a hospital administrator are the characters. At least there is no small town business to be saved or some other done to death thing. The actors are quite believable. But the story is draggy. The side drama of Father and son Is boring. Not a must watch.

A special cast coupled with an excellent story Deroach and Nevin bring it home Little girl steals all the scenes

No chemistry at all between the two leads. And why does a woman who runs a hospital think she knows more about landing a helicopter in bad weather than a trained pilot? She fires him on the spot after landing and then at the end of the movie, he's supposed to not take that job in Alaska to be with her?????? Guess he better sign up for unemployment. And strange times when a mom and her kid just show up at a strangers house for tea.

This certainly is one of my favourite feel good, heart warming films. With all the black themed films and strife in our world, more of these types of films are necessary. It is refreshing to see different scenarios and plot in this film with much more depth, than so many of the typical Hallmark films with the same plots and scenarios. Here, there is quality performances by all the actors and actresses. Contrary to some of the reviews for this film, I feel that the two lead characters were solid, realistic, and heartwarming. What is chemistry? Is it supposed to be seen with sparks flying? I try not to slot people in pigeon holes, where they then become no more than robotic characters. Each person is an individual. This is what helps to make life exciting. After all, there are multitudes of people in this world. Thus, I love and appreciate that these two leads do not fall into any "typical Hallmark" character slot. Each of us shows love in different ways. I feel that the characters of both Lizzie (Nikki Deloach) and Charley (Jeff Hephner) were drawn to each other, which developed into a cherished love. Both appreciated the quality, strength, courage, and caring in each other, even though these characteristics were not overdone with more words than were necessary. Expression, action, and understanding was enough. Often, less is more, as was demonstrated here. Similar occurs with the relationship between Walter and Quinn, and the developing relationship between Walter and Charley. So many true life aspects were covered. A confident veteran pilot (Charley) with a slight hero complex who becomes the EMS pilot who demonstrates his bravery and commitment. A dedicated single mom (Lizzie), who gives up part of her career for her daughter (Quinn) with a chronic illness that was not overemphasized. A grieving husband (Walter) from the loss of his wife, along with the grieving son (Charley) from the loss of his mother. The birth of a child by Lizzie's sister. All these characters intertwined through the evolution of their relationships with each other. All with real life imperfections that include problems and miscommunications, that get sorted out with a happy ending, as love, growth, and understanding overcomes all. Of course, it would be wonderful if all issues ended this way in real life. :)

The plot and acting were generally good, but I never saw a good reason for the woman to be that attracted to the pilot. At the end, I was thinking that they would break up soon or if it got to marriage then it would end in divorce.

This one had many sentimental moments and the story itself was touching. What stuck most, "we cross paths with certain people for a reason".

The DS (Dumb Statement) light came on in the beginning (prop/rotor). But it was easily forgotten as the story unfolded. The actors and acting were all very good and convincing. A real plus is Savannah was really Savannah. It is now one of my current favorites. Roger Wilco, Over and Out.