Such a frustrating disappointment

Better Late Then Never

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

I managed to get through 1/2 of it, but it was agony so turned it off. Kellie Martin has not aged well and always has a stressed look to her in any roll she plays anymore. She looks much older than what she actually is, so her playing the romantic lead in a movie just doesn't work. Maybe she'd be better in a heavier roll as a detective or a librarian---or maybe she could learn to lighten up and smile. It was not an enjoyable movie even though the male lead did a great job. Jennifer Dale was good as his snooty mother but she seemed too young to be his mother. I agree with the person who said Kellie and Jennifer looked close in age. Bruce Boxleitner is always a joy to watch.

The story is OK. A bridal shop owner runs a business which caters to clients looking for non-traditional wedding attire. A chance meeting with a lawyer brings a man into the shop owner's life. A man whose mother also happens to own a competing bridal shop but with a snobbish slant. Overall the actors do OK. But, the characters just don't seem to fit together logically. I just don't buy it. Kelli Martin is a good actress but just is not the right person for this role, bless her heart. Quirky has been used in previous reviews to describe her character, but to me she comes off as a bit pitiful, unattractive, whiny, and just too odd and difficult for any sane person to want to have a relationship with. I did like the love interest character although I can't see why someone like him and from his background would have any interest in the bridal shop owner played by Martin. I am a guy, and not embarrassed to admit I like Hallmark chick-flicks. But this one for the reasons listed above is nowhere near the top of my Hallmark "like" list.

The heroine is a wonderfully layered, also quirky, character. I just love her. I actually fell for the hero, which was a surprise to this writer. The hero is rather laid back and not quite as multi-dimensional as the heroine. He is, however, oh so supportive and obviously in love with her.Enjoyed the best friend(s) his and hers. They added dimension and furthered the story. (Spoiler) Enjoyed the vintage clothing, big time.This plot has the perfect degree of conflict, and a villain you can really dislike then maybe, perhaps, forgive.If these characters shed a tear, my throat got tight. I usually pick a story apart, but with SO YOU SAID YES, I'm too busy enjoying. I often wonder WHY or WHEN they fell for each other, but in this movie, I could see it happening and why.

Don't you think that at times Kelli Martin looked too old for the part and that her mother-in-law to be even looked younger?That being said, we have an interesting, often funny and yet poignant story of traditional versus now-a-days. Two women in competition over their bridal gown stores don't realize that the younger owner has fallen for the other owner's son. It is funny how the latter attempts to keep the news from both women and of course the mayhem that you would expect to break out when each finds out.Of course, we have the mother trying to sabotage the relationship, even going as far as to insult the woman's father, a widower who wed 3 times after his wife's death. Nice seeing Bruce Boxleitner in the role of the father. He looks like Al Gore in certain scenes.Of course we know that a rapprochement shall have to be reached between mother and son's fiancé since love conquers all.