Taking a Shot at Love

The professional athlete getting help with rehab from a romantic opposite is not the most common trope. It's also a nice touch to make it a pro from a tough guy sport being put with children to learn ballet. Despite the first blush impression of ballet, those people are every bit as athletic as any pro athlete in a major sport and it is especially torturous for the dancer's feet. But after the set up, things go pretty much as you'd expect. The teacher's studio is in trouble and you just know the celebrity athlete is going to do something to help. There are different possibilities as to what that might be, however. One minor twist in the story is that there's another potential pro hockey player that comes into play.

Jenna's backstory is revealed a little at a time and it is a sympathetic one. What I liked about Jenna is that she was always even tempered, even cheerful. You can see how this character would be an inspiration.

I had mixed reactions to Alexa Penavega's Hallmark performances in the past, some very negative. But in this movie I found her character very appealing and her acting decent, if a bit restrained. I love Luke Macfarlane and he fits the hockey player role very well. Together they had very good chemistry, but not quite sizzling.

The climax and ending are sappy and predictable in general terms. As I mentioned, there were maybe a couple of other possibilities. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.

This charming Hallmark film is a romcom about a ballet instructor named Jenna (Alexa PenaVega) and a professional hockey player named Ryan (Luke Macfarlane). It deserves higher marks than most because the chemistry between the two is off the charts.

Because Ryan is injured, he is referred to Jenna for rehab via ballet exercises. This fish-out-of-water scenario gives the film most of its comic relief.

Along the way, the film provides plenty of simple lessons about living life. In the end, both parties are changed through their interactions. If you like Hallmark romances, you will probably like this one.

It was SO nice to see Alexa without her husband. She shines much better with other leading men. Storyline was good. I like Luke but can't help but always picture his as Scotty in Brothers and Sisters. Storyline was rather predictable. Loved the scenery.

It's nice to see Alexa without her real life husband (which is extremely rare). When they perform together it always seems like they over act. No on screen chemistry. I think it's because they force it and it just doesn't work for me. Anything with Luke macfarland works for me and he was good again. I might say chateau Christmas was a stretch because there was nothing to the script. Iwould watch this again while predictable it was enjoyable. Not like Alexa love boat knock off or some of the others with her husband.

Not an awful lot to add. Am another person who likes Luke Macfarlane, his filmography is hit and miss but he has always been a very likeable actor. Am also another person who doesn't normally care for Alexa PenaVega, tending to find her forced and that she doesn't usually connect with her roles. Hallmark's films are on the most part very formulaic, though they have done changes of pace that come off well, but quite a lot of their output is watchable, though they have done a fair share of stinkers.

'Taking a Shot at Love' is far from being one of the stinkers and is more than watchable. It is a solid start to the 2021 year for Hallmark and a solid entry in the New Year New Movies category. Is 'Taking a Shot at Love' great or perfect? No, then again asking for perfection from Hallmark is setting expectations too on the high side. Is it worth watching. Yes it is, and it was nice to see some Hallmark films recently for a change that wasn't one of their Christmas offerings.

Like many Hallmark films, 'Taking a Shot at Love' does follow a tried and tested formula and doesn't do much new with it with many recognisable Hallmark cliches. So it does feel predictable.

Also did find the ending too neat and on the hurried side, a common issue with Hallmark, though not as easily telegraphed as most Hallmark endings. Maybe the music could have been used less.

However, so much is done right. Macfarlane has such an endearing easy going charm and looks completely at home. PenaVega really surprised me, she is perky, she doesn't try too hard and this is one of the few times where it feels like she is connecting with her character. She and Macfarlane have very natural, genuine and sweet chemistry, where their love is very believable. Their relationship moves at a realistic pace, not rushed or aimless, and isn't over-shadowed by what goes on in the story. The supporting cast are solid. The characters come over as more than just shallow ciphers and don't come over as too perfect or have exaggerated flaws.

Production values are very pleasing, especially the scenery, something that Hallmark nearly always delivers on. While there could have been less music, it at least fits stylistically and has character. The ballet is athletic and elegant, and being a ballet fan it was lovely to see it. The hockey was also fun. The script is not cheesy or too sentimental and has a warm glow to it. Although the story has no real surprises, it is very light hearted and has a warm heart, also didn't think that it moved too slowly.

Overall, promising beginning to the 2021 year for Hallmark. 7/10.