Summary
7 tech score
“Faith, Hope & Love” (Ellinas Multimedia)
When is the last time you saw a romantic comedy that was faith based? I don’t remember one. Usually faith based movies tend toward the more dramatic aspects of life. However, the new movie “Faith, Hope & Love” is a rom-com pure and simple and it delivers strong entertainment of that kind with an undertone of a Christian message.
The plot line revolves around a widower, Jim Elpidas (Robert Krantz), who is talked into entering a dance contest. His daughter Demetra (Aria Walters) takes dance lessons at a studio owned and operated by Faith Turley (Peta Murgatroyd). Demetra thinks Ms. Hurley would be a good match for her dad and help him get over the depression he has suffered since his wife’s death in a car accident three years ago.
Seeing the slightly geeky Jimmy get up to the level of Faith’s dancing skills make for the fun part of the rom-com. Their obvious attraction to each other brings in the romantic part. It is all fairly predictable but when you have two such natural actors in the leading roles it makes it all seem fresh one more time.
Both actors are surprising in their talent. Murgatroyd has been a staple on the “Dancing with The Stars” series and her dancing talent has been more than verified over the years. Still who knew she is such a good actress. She handles all the scenes, whether they be comedic or dramatic, with amazing skill. She looks like she could be Keira Knightley’s sister and seems to have absorbed some of her talent too.
Krantz is a complete unknown, but somehow he was able to write, co-direct and star in this film – and do it all with ease. He isn’t the most dynamic of actors but he plays his role with humor and heart. He is able to connect with Murgatroyd on the screen and seem a natural in his role as a dad and as an office worker. He is never a completely smooth dancer but having limitations is what is called for in the role.
There is a large number of capable actors summoned for cameo roles of a sort. These include M. Emmet Walsh, Corbin Bernsen, Nancy Stafford, Ed Asner and Michael Richards. Maksim Chmerkovskiy (Murgatroyd’s real life husband and co-dance pro on “Dancing With the Stars) plays her ex-husband in the movie.
The film is rated PG for mild adult situations.
The movie is a little bit cheesy in places, but who doesn’t like a little cheese now and then. It still rings true as a story of people seeking the light from out of the darkness. All of us have our times of trial. The characters in this movie certainly do. Still through laughter and tears they make their way.
This film operates on surprises. Who would have thought a Christian rom-com could be so entertaining. Who could have imagined Murgatroyd and Krantz could be so talented and charming. Who should have believed all the pieces would fit together so perfectly. Looking for the secret ingredient, well I guess it took a little faith, hope and love to bring this all together so successfully.
I scored “Faith, Hope & Love” a biblical 7 out of 10.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
