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MOVIE REVIEW
The Wish List
Network: Hallmark Channel
Premiere Date: August 28, 2010
David Sutcliffe ... Fred Jones
Jennifer Esposito ... Sarah Fischer
Diane Venora ... Brenda
Richard Portnow ... Lenny
Tonya Kay ... Catherine
Mark Deklin ... Erik
Julie Brown ... Wedding Planner
Steve Monroe ... Stu
Katie Hein ... Rhiannon
Shalaina Fotheringham ... Bride
Alyssa Preston ... Gloria
Donovan Dustin ... Henry
Barry J. Ratcliffe ... Emcee
Marliss Amiea ... Marty
Don Danielson ... Groom
Amy Cale Peterson ... Waitress
James Ball ... Jamie
Scott Forrester ... Tennis Date
Shawn Nier ... Announcer
PLOT:
Jennifer Esposito ("Samantha Who") and David Sutcliffe ("Gilmore Girls," "Private Practice") star in "The Wish List," a Hallmark Channel Original Movie, that has just begun production and will premiere on Hallmark Channel in 2010. The love story centers on a highly organized young woman who after too many failed relationships makes a wish list of all the criteria her future husband must have. Then, after finding the perfect man who meets all of her qualifications, she falls in love with a guy who meets none of them and realizes that life and love don't always work out according to a master plan.
Sarah Fischer (Esposito), a by-the-book, hard-working human relations executive at a publishing company, is fed up with her bad dates and decides to create one of her famous to-do lists: "Qualification for the Man I'll Marry No Exceptions." After a few more bad dates, she refines her list to include nice feet, no tattoos, has a job, no bad hair and no slogan t-shirts, to name a few. Enter Fred Jones (Sutcliffe), a barista at her favorite coffee place who has unruly hair and wears t-shirts, but who has a knack for reading his customers' personality and creating the perfect coffee drink for them. He also has a knack for getting inside Sarah's head.
At about the same time, Erik Cavalieri appears. He's a handsome doctor who loves animals, loves children, loves to cook, and has about ten other positive characteristics that make him Sarah's perfect match. The two start dating and things get serious. Erik asks Sarah to marry him. It should be a no brainer, but Fred, who challenges Sarah to figure out what she really wants in life, keeps pulling her heartstrings. Ultimately, Sarah decides to throw away her list and put her heart first.
Movie Review:
Okay, this one, first of all, is NOT a Family Movie. Generally, Hallmark Movies are good for family viewing... Not this one.
I thought it had a cute general plot idea. The movie starts with a little girl, Sarah, who is always making list and then we see her all grown up doing the very same thing - making lists. She is single, and decides the best way to fix this, is to make a list of all the qualities she wants and doesn't want in a guy!
The first guy she meets, Fred, works at the local coffee shop. I found it extremely annoying that he repeatedly would not give her the coffee that she would order. Bad business. This was so obnoxious! In her place, I would have walked out, bought my own coffee machine, and never come back!
But Sarah does... and she gives in and let's Fred give her the flavor of coffee he thinks she should order. Whatever!
The movie was all over the place and frankly wasn't very good. At one point, Sarah gets drunk at a bar and ends up on stage singing a drunk version of karaoke to "When the Saints go Marching in". As a Christian, I found this to be offensive.
Also, at a dance club, there is alot of drinking and suggestive dancing. Sarah's new guy friend, Erik, is usually pretty calm and laid back - but he lets loose on the dance floor. His way of dancing is almost Chippendale style, though he (thankfully) remains dressed. In contrast, Fred dances in a rather wacky, disco style. It all looked so silly - I couldn't help from laughing.
All in all, it was a romantic comedy. Does Sarah follow her heart or her list - that is the real question and I think you know the answer!
See or Skip:
I usually love Hallmark's movies, but I must suggest skipping this one.
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