For Love & Honor

"For Love and Honor" (2016) Prime Video/Hallmark I loved this movie but this comes with a warning that you need to suspend disbelief completely to enjoy it completely if you have any military background. After the short opening where the retired bird Colonel (James Denton) is assigned to revive the military standards of a declining military academy, we are shown a campus where cadets run around wearing uniforms with the sloppiness of 1960s/70s hippies--no exaggeration--I was there and know of what I speak. But while I don't believe anything in the world would have allowed a military academy to sink to that level, it's all in the suspension of disbelief, as I said. It's a Hallmark romance, not anything remotely realistic, you'll just have to remember that. The fact that the military was being run by an academic/civilian and not a military commandant was another thing you'll have to accept--that's also not done. Deep breath. There were some reviews saying that Denton, as the retired Colonel assigned to the school, was gruff and unpleasant early on. Frankly, Natalie Brown, as the Dean of Education, was equally gruff and unpleasant. Having the leads treat each other badly is a Hallmark trope, you know it won't last. Rebecca Liddiard plays Denton's daughter, as a local college student. She acts as a go-between for Denton and Brown. I'm not sure if she was needed, but her role was well-played, and quite enjoyable. You may know her from her grown-up roles in Frankie Drake Mysteries or the romance movie "From Chicago with Love." Ron Lea plays a retired Major General and former boss of Denton's. He sits on the board and hires Denton for the academy. He opens conversation by greeting Denton with "Oo-rah," which is then used loosely the rest of the film. I'm sure this irritated any Marines in the audience as the word is a Marine Corps battle cry NOT used by the Army, but again--Hallmark love story, not a military documentary. If you can get past that you can probably also get past the sloppy saluting you'll see. Deep breath. Denton and Brown ARE the story here. Besides Lilliard, the only other significant character is a young student played by Sheppard Denton (real life son of James) that Denton successfully mentors. I'm going to leave out the ending here--I've already likely spoiled the film too much for some of you. Decide for yourself how likely the ending really is. I did enjoy the movie, once, as I said, I forced myself to suspend disbelief--for a former military guy, that wasn't easy. But it's HALLMARK! NOT REAL LIFE! ;D The rest of you should LOVE this.

Besides all the obvious flaws that others pointed out, it is well acted and it's a decent movie. And yes, it's another movie that is less than realistic in its premise, as most Hallmark movies are. But the story moves at a good pace, there is no loud music playing over the dialogue, and the setting was better than average. Most of the characters were believable as real people, and they had good chemistry with one another. All in all, it's an above average Hallmark presentation. Kudos to the kids that performed on the rifle drill team. As a former Exhibition Rifle Drill Team Commander, they did a fantastic job.

Have always watched Hallmark films with an open mind but also always without expecting too much. Some films have come off much better than expected, managing to make something appealing from unappealing or basic premises. Some are more or less what was expected in both good and bad ways. Then there are some that really don't live up to expectations and do so many things wrong. They all have at least one interest point, and James Denton was 'For Love and Honour's'. Luckily he comes over very well here and 'For Love and Honour' is also worth watching as a film. Did like the combination of romance and military, which Hallmark have done very well more than once, and thought that 'For Love and Honour' did what it set out to do very well, didn't try to do more than needed and knew what it was going for. It isn't flawless or a great film, but it is worth watching and, despite not feeling like a Summer Nights film, one of the better entries for that seasonal block as an overall film. Admittedly, 'For Love and Honour' is formulaic, which makes some plot strands easily foreseeable and executed in a way that is pretty much what is expected. Did feel too that it got off to a somewhat rocky start, taking time to get started, some of the dialogue being too rigid not flowing as well as it could have done and the characters not easy to get behind at first (Denton's character's arrogance and rigidity is overdone a bit). Stick with it if unsure, as 'For Love and Honour' does become a lot better and boasts many good things. Natalie Brown and particularly Denton are very strong, as are the supporting cast. The characters do become more interesting and easier to connect with, with Denton's character's development not being rushed. Brown and Denton do have good chemistry, the banter done with intensity and playfulness and the more romantic parts understated and tender. It looks good, especially the scenery which is lovely. Other Hallmark films fare a lot worse when it comes to having ill fitting and intrusive music, neither of which were an issue really with me here. While the script is not Oscar worthy material, it at least has a natural flow and doesn't come over as too cheesy, schmaltzy or waffly. Generally the story has a warm centre, is light-hearted and doesn't feel dull. Overall, good if not great. 7/10.

It's all so bad...Nothing make sense. It's a movie for kids?