User reviews

If you've read the synopsis, you pretty much know the story. There aren't any exciting twists. The acting is solid by not exciting. (Actually a pretty decent job for the kid actors.) After seeing two families, two parents, struggle with their loss, there is also some light humor.

That doesn't mean it isn't worth watching if you want to see a story about 7 people who together turn mourning into dancing.

I've seen this movie twice and I loved it both times. It's Lacey Chabert who I adore on the Hallmark Channels for sure. She's very cute and charming. This reminded me of a movie similar to a TV Series I grew up watching, called 'The Brady Bunch', minus one child. I even said that the first time I watched this movie and prior to hearing Lacey say it on this movie. It was like Deja Vu. I love the kid dynamic in this movie though because all the kids seem to adjust and adapt very well to a coming together. There is even a very cool song that plays while they are either getting ready to eat dinner or cleaning up after the dinner. I'll have to look up the song that played. It was great teamwork and that's what we should all strive for in our lives, working together on a common goal. But seriously, watch this movie and remember The Brady Bunch.

'The Color of Rain' (2014)

Opening thoughts: 2014's 'The Color of Rain' did sound very charming even if the plot synopsis was nothing earth shattering. My Hallmark film completest quest (which has gradually overtime included Lifetime and UPTV), that is still ongoing with no intent to stop just yet, has been a very uneven endeavour but an interesting one with some real winners. Lacey Chabert is one of Hallmark's most frequent stars and to me she is one of the best and most consistent regardless of the film. Am less familiar with Warren Christie, but have liked him enough in other things.

This was really not one of Hallmark's best years, while having some good films there were a fair share of misfires and the worst missing big time. Of a hit and miss batch, where only 'A Ring by Spring' was above good of the previous films in the batch, 'The Color of Rain' is easily one of the best 2014 Hallmark films and a much needed refreshment after struggling through two 2014 Hallmark films in a row ('Looking for Mr Right' and 'When Sparks Fly'). Hallmark has done mature themes and family dilemmas very well a good deal and 'The Color of Rain' is no exception.

Bad things: It is a little bit of a slow starter with the first half an hour or so taking time to find its feet in momentum, while also being very over-familiar and too on the slight side.

Did think also that the dialogue was not always great and that it did get a little corny.

Good things: Chabert and Christie however are very sincere and charming leads, especially Chabert. They have a natural and genuine chemistry together that doesn't feel too subdued and develops at a realistic pace and it was easy to connect with their characters and very early on. The supporting cast charm and move too in nicely fleshed out and relatable roles that have strengths and flaws. Had no issue with the character interaction, the family dynamic when in the grieving process being true to life and honestly done.

Script sounds natural and has real sincerity throughout, it doesn't sugar coat the serious theme (far from it) but it didn't to me come over as over serious or soapy. Apart from some pacing problems early on, the story is very heart warming and moving with a very true to life and sincere depiction of grief and loss. The ending touches and isn't too neat. The drama is not too soapy or over sentimental and it doesn't feel forced. Visually it looks pleasing, with the photography and scenery being equally attractive. The music isn't constant or overscored.

Concluding thoughts: Bottom line, very well done and one of the best 2014 Hallmark films.

8/10.

I wish they'd air it more. Watching it tonight - haven't seen it for a couple of years. It's a good family movie. It studies how people can help each other in sad circumstances. How kiss can help each other heal. The camaraderie...

In circumstances that involve death, people come together and find some peace - while still remembering the ones gone.

Such a touching movie...

To the naysayers here who complain about "all that's going on" is two families falling in love, and others who complain about predictability -- have you never watched Hallmark movie????? Seriously????????????

Falling in love, trials & tribulations, and some predictability is VERY much "Hallmark movie" ... hallmarks. :-) The best of the Hallmark movies add more. I feel this one did.

As my title says, I think this was/is a very sweet story that actually felt very "real" in its events, acting, settings, and character interactions. There were some bittersweet moments brought on by well-intentioned friends and a mother-in-law, but that, too, is very realistic. I've seen Lacey Chabert in more than a few Hallmark movies, and I won't say all of them were great ... but this one is. This one gives me hope, though my wife and I are long-past the ages of the two main characters, but this movie still gives me hope that my wife could find love again after my death, and that I might, in the event of her passing -- no, this movie didn't leave me feeling morbid, and neither my wife or I are ill ... but still. The movie gives me hope.

The songs that make up the soundtrack are a bit loud at times, but I never noticed a problem with "background" noice, and didn't mind the music when I noticed it. I want to track down several songs to add them to a play list, particularly the song at the end.

This movie's story was made even better by being based on a real family's experiences, who did go through these events, made it through to the other side, and stayed together. (FYI, at the start of the movie, a statement is shown about this being based on a true story.)

Soooooooo ... watch it, if you like Hallmark movies. I do, and I liked this one.

Lacey Chabert is obviously a star and talented actress. She is able to capture the screen without sucking the attention from the other actors - instead she makes them better. She comes across very real. She shines. She is good.

This was a real emotional roller coaster, filled with so many hard life lessons...like why do other people always think they know what's best for you? And why do others have trouble watching people be happy.

This was based on a true life Brady bunch like story.

It was beautiful to watch these two grieving families come together and support one another. I appreciated without any outside influences, that the family together was happy.

I loved the movie.

Having dealt with loss in my life also it was a nice story with a good ending. I did not realize it was based on a true story until the end. The family was from Michigan also.

I love Lacy Chabert she does a great job no disappointment. This was the first movie I have seen Warren Christie in I thought he did a great job also. The ones who played the children did great too.

Barely watchable and cometely predictable. I almost died laughing when the female lead said, "Adults don't have sleepovers." A movie trying to be realistic should get more tuned in to reality.

7.9 stars.

It's a fairy tale. A family of five loses a mother. A family of four loses a father. The two families meet while in the throes of grief and loss. And like a fairytale Brady Bunch story formed in the midst of a church setting, where she works at the Christian school and his profession is... not sure what he does actually...it provides reassurance that luck (miracles) can penetrate a gloomy existence.

As their families grow closer, all the people around them start to fear the worst. Those dumb people -"friends" and family begin to interfere with what appears to be a wondrous and beautiful miracle of a relationship, where two grieving families begin to mend.

In so many ways, this could happen, in many more ways it is unlikely. Much about this beautiful story just doesn't match reality. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this film. Like I said, it's a real life fairytale. Enjoy it for what it represents, and the potential happy ending it offers those in a similar situation: two charismatic and gorgeous widows with no flaws and five perfectly adjusted children...

I was intrigued once I realized this movie was based on a true story. You cannot go wrong with Lacey Chabert and Warren Christie's acting. Not only does the story being tears, it's their superb acting that makes it believable and draws you in. Worth watching.

This movies is absolutely phenomenal!

The acting, storyline is totally classy!

The emotions that all the actors show including the children and the adults is just top notch!

I do not normally write reviews but this movie deserves tons of awards and it does a great service to the legacy of the true people!

Some may think they moved too fast to become a couple. But finding your way out of grief is very difficult. If you find someone that helps you out of the fog of grief grab your n to them and don't let go.

The people who think it's too fast must be expecting the deceased to return. As sad as it is, they are not returning. We will be with them again after we've lived our time here. But I am the kind of person that feels falling in love again, after losing a spouse, is a blessing. This couple months ved through a sad situation with grace and ease. Hold on to the ones that understand and help you through grieving. If you are able to build a new life with them all the better.

It seemed to have a lot of potential as a really great movie, but due to BAD sound engineering, it was wreaked due to the dialogue being covered up by loud foreground 'music' 10x as loud as the dialogue, or by constant background noise which was recorded as loud foreground noise, again masking the dialogue. :-(

Best heart warming movie. I watch it whenever it's on. The fact that these 2 people went thru so much heartbreak, kids included, it just felt so touching. Love it.

She just lost her husband to cancer. She has two small boys.

He lost his wife suddenly to brain cancer. He has two boys and a girl.

Both are grieving. The movie starts out very very sad.

Then begin the trials and tribulations of being a single parents.

They, together, go through "the things mom do, the things dad's do."

Then they have to navigate the first date and how they say good night.

THEN THEY HIT THE BUMPS IN THE ROAD.

(Other people's opinions.)

And it's a Hallmark movie so there's gotta be a breakup before they make up.

Writers, actors, and the director really helped the audience feel the entire "spectrum" of emotions during the whole movie.