What They Did for Love by Denny Martin Flinn

I wasn't expecting to enjoy it nearly that much.

Yes, there are a couple of lame elements: blatant product placement for Kay jewelers, a tree-lighting ceremony that takes place in daylight, three brother characters that aren't developed, and a career/life decision the protagonist makes at the end that isn't too believable. (7) Though it is predictable, the reconciliation between father and daughter (in the shadow of her late mother's memory) is handled so well that it actually brought a tear to my eye (something NONE of these TV movies has EVER accomplished). (6) What starts out as a probable 'Meet the Parents' rip-off goes instead in its own direction to tell a different story. (5) There are a couple of animals (vicious dog and wild horse) whose depictions are very well handled and convincing. (4) I was able to sympathize with both the 'city boy's' situations and 'country folk's' reactions to him. When space scoundrel Harry Mudd is arrested and brought aboard the Enterprise, he subjects the crew to a liquid-crystal love potion-with devastating results. Actually, all the actors do a great job with their roles even the contemptible ex-boyfriend is done so well he's actually enjoyable. (3) Gammon's performance as the dad he has made a career out of this type of character and he is spot on. Here are some of the reasons: (1) This takes place in real central California locations, not a Canadian city or town pretending to be 'Christmastown, Anywhere.' (It's usually part of the fun guessing if the locale is Ontario or BC, and here it's actually where it's pointed out to be, which is unique.) (2) There are three or four comic lines of dialogue that made me laugh, even howl, out loud (with the movie, not at it, which is also unique). As much as I've come to expect the hokey, predictable story lines and cliché characters, this movie doesn't exactly break from all that completely, but I was impressed by how entertained I was. We have sat through a lot of dreck and truly painful, endless, tiresome TV movies. Every Christmas my wife and I make a point to watch as many Hallmark, Lifetime and ABC Family holiday movies as possible.

What They Did for Love by Denny Martin Flinn