Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"If Only" It Could Be Released In U.S. Theatres, August 30, 2005
This review is from: If Only [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Germany ] (DVD)
I am a big fan of Jennifer Love Hewitt's, but even I can recognize that most of her roles have been one dimensional. The teen in distress chased by a lunatic, the teen in distress attending a party, the young woman in distress over her con-artist mother. Most of her roles require very little acting ability. Finally, If Only comes along, a movie which she financed and produced through her Love Spell Entertainment Company.
The story is about a young woman named Samantha who is seriously neglected by her boyfriend Ian. After arguing, and breaking up, a tragedy occurs and there is loss for one of the characters. Fortunately, this being a fantasy-romantic drama, the couple get to relive their day all over again.
If you lost someone and had the opportunity to go back and do things differently, what would you change? That is the question that this film asks, and ultimately it proves that Love never dies. If Only Love Hewitt was given more opportunities to shine. Watch for this movie coming to ABC Family Channel in January 2006, and to DVD shortly after. If you like romantic movies like the far superior Love Story, you won't be disappointed.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Instant Replay ... of Sorts, May 29, 2006
Christina Welsh has written a fine screenplay that proves that old ideas can be re-worked in a thoroughly original way. Gil Junger steps out of his role as a director for TV series and molds Welsh's story into a visually charming and sensible, touching movie. Add the considerable talents of one highly regarded pro (Tom Wilkinson) and two underrated young bright lights (Jennifer Love Hewitt and Paul Nicholls) and the result is a little film that is polished, absorbing, and genuinely tender.
Samantha (Hewitt) is a musician living and studying in London where she is in a healthy relationship with a handsome young executive Ian (Nicholls): though obviously in love, Ian is more involved with his work than Samantha would like and on the day of her 'finals concert' they have a spat over several issues. On his way to his all-important meeting Ian encounters a taxi driver (Wilkinson) who gives him some sage advice about his love life. Abruptly Samantha is killed in a freak auto accident and Ian is devastated. In his grief he strangely awakens to the same day in which Samantha was killed, and through a series of working through the elements of his life where he failed her (with a bit of aid from the taxi driver), Ian has an 'If only' experience, a time to re-evaluate his love for Samantha, his life, and his changes. A twist in the events brings the story to a surprise but apropos ending.
From what could have been yet another love-death tearjerker of a Hollywood movie emerges a story with heart and with some poignant lessons for us all. Hewitt proves a fine actress in this film and is beautifully paired by the exciting presence of relative newcomer Paul Nichols. It is not a great movie, but it is one that will pleasantly surprise viewers who may have though it was just another 'chick flick'. Give it a chance - it is worth it! Grady Harp, May 06
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent made-for-TV movie for a Sunday afternoon!, March 7, 2006
First I must say, this is not quite your typical made-for-tv movie: it didn't feel like it was made low-budget & I thought the cast did very well. I saw a preview for this on TV one day, & set my Tivo to record it: I was so glad I did! The storyline was well-written, & just when I thought I had figured out the movie & knew the ending, I was wrong: it kept me guessing the entire time!
It was heartfelt, moving & even funny: but definitely bring a box of tissues when you watch this one, as it is a bit of a tear-jerker as well. I was expecting them to follow the atypical sappy romance formula, without much originality (a type of movie I happen to love anyways), but I was pleasantly surprised by this movie in: the script, the cast & the quality.
All in all, I would highly recommend this to anyone who is a romantic at heart!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|