A Whitewater Romance

I love Hallmark movies and get they are not realistic but this movie is ridiculous. No business event would invite you to a retreat with a day's notice. And if it's a team building event for a national company, there would be more than 4 individuals. Plus they have never worked with each other and don't appear they will be working side by side afterwards. The concept of expecting such an inexperienced person to participate in camping, whitewater rafting, and other outdoors events with no guidance is absurd. How did this show get approved and make it all the way to production? I couldn't handle it any more agter 40 minutes.

5.7 stars.

Poor girl. She has been stuck in the same film for the past 6 years. I will start by saying things were looking pretty good when she was in the Darcy stories, the first one was not bad, but they ended it in 2018 with 'Marrying Mr. Darcy', which was a flop. She has appeared in a couple good Christmas stories, the past several years, but that's about all.

Her Hallmark choices have been a bust since then. 2020: 'Love in the Forecast', felt somewhat fresh, but I had no idea the direction her "wilderness" career would be headed. That was the first taste of her outdoorsy characters, and like I said, it was not too bad. But then they copycat it with 'Chasing Waterfalls' in 2021, which was actually an improvement, but then 'Warming Up to You', same song, third verse, 'Marry Me in Yosemite'-fourth verse, 'Love in Zion National...'-fifth, and now 'A Whitewater Romance'-sixth. Please make this the final attempt at the same character. I actually thought she might actually be the same character, literally, which would have been more agreeable for me. At least it would contain some cohesion and a rational explanation for the repetitive out-of-doors theme. Give Busby a break guys and let her expand her options - out with the outdoors and in with the indoors.

The premise is fine, but typically formulaic. While I'm sure Cindy Busby is very nice, it seems she's caught in the same formula and it's very tiring. After a while, all I can hear is her squeaky voice whining about some challenge she's facing.

This could have been a much better movie with a different actress, hopefully, someone that displays more bravado. The writers should work to break the formula and incorporate a little less cutesy and more drama. I don't specifically dislike the happy ending, but the route to get there seems like a hike in a flat trail, whereas a good hike incorporates hills, narrow passes, and tripping hazards. Let's see more like that.

For anyone who may be entering the workforce and getting their first corporate job - I wanted to set some expectations in case you've watched a lot of these movies. There will never be a time when you literally have a contest to get a promotion. If you do get promoted, it will never be announced in a group of people without your knowledge - especially if you are relocating to Paris or to a quaint small town. The process is much less dramatic, but at a minimum, someone will discuss your salary. You are much more likely to be assigned a cube instead of a corner office. If co-workers are involved romantically, it's probably going to be in secret and you will never kiss in front of your team.

I am just surprised that the aggregate IMDb rating is so high. As of this writing, there are 8 other 1 star reviews and the highest review is a 2 star. It's well deserved.

I'm not a fan of Cindy Busby. She has no depth and usually seems to play the same flaky people. Interesting that the one notable exception for her is also with Benjamin Hollingsworth in Another Christmas Coincidence (aka Godwink: Meant for Love). Busby's performance here is bad even for her. She is so over the top, especially in the first few scenes.

Another reviewer noted that you don't send someone on a wilderness experience with no notice (less than a day). Then you blame her for being late when she had to fly over half the country to get there!!! And penalize her in a break-the-ice game as a result. If Busby's earlier scenes didn't already have me upset, this just adds on. The story continues to be bad for a while yet and it makes Mia into a very unlikeable character. Such a wimp. Mia is so lame that it might have been funny, but I didn't laugh at all. You know that will change as the story goes on.

So many of these movies have a boss ranging from annoyingly demanding to downright unethical. Marilyn is the latter. I found it disgusting that she suggests making one of Mia's colleagues lose his glasses in order to handicap him in the competitions.

BTW: such great cellphone service in the middle of this wilderness. And at least one key plot point is based on it.