Directed by:
Hernan JimenezCinematography:
Shane HurlbutComposer:
Mark OrtonCast:
Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang, Darren Barnet, James Saito, Rebecca Staab, Harry Shum Jr., Mikaela Hoover, Matty Finochio, Darien Martin, C. Ernst Harth (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
An unlucky-in-love LA journalist (Nina Dobrev) flies cross-country to surprise a guy she fell for on a dating app, only to discover she's been catfished. (Netflix)
Reviews (5)
Unpretentious romantic comedies from the US have been getting the shaft for years (and yet the people who yell Boo!, eager for more targets, keep watching anyway), so the low rating doesn't surprise me. Especially when the film copies and mines practically every Christmas movie (and then some) and offers almost nothing new except the staples of the times. For me, I don’t mind treating Love Hard as a one-off diversion of the Christmas season. Still, it wouldn’t have bothered me if there had been at least a hint of chemistry between the main couple. As it is, it's just a nice enough movie. Full of the Christmas spirit, but why not. 3.5 stars.
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This film is a great example of why it's worth giving Netflix family and romantic movies a chance. Sometimes, you stumble upon a pleasant surprise, like this charming rom-com. It’s got heart, a lovely Christmas vibe, a solid storyline, and fun nods to classics like Love Actually.
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A charming romantic comedy about an attractive lady who doesn't do well on the dating scene and when it seems she has finally found the right guy and decides to surprise him for Christmas, she is shocked to see someone else (a little Chinese guy :D). Coincidentally, the guy he was pretending to be is his cousin and so he helps the lady conquer her dream love, but you won't find out how it turns out until the movie. It's likeable, with fine characters, occasionally decent humour and a nice flow. A Netflix chill that doesn't offend, but lifts the mood. 6/10.
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Love Hard is a heavily predictable Christmas romance with a likeable cast and a nice, albeit clumsily delivered message about how lies have short legs and that honesty and trust are not just empty words. Some of the character development was a little less well grasped (Natalie and Owen), but that's not really surprising within the genre. More than once while watching, I thought of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Last but not least, I liked the interesting marketing idea with the candles.
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An absolutely typical (standardized) American romantic movie, where the experienced viewer either suspects or already knows exactly how the whole thing will turn out after a few initial clues. And because the story takes place at Christmas, you won’t be spared the true American family values and great moral lessons. Humor, which would have made the plot more bearable, was almost absent in this case. Plus, I’m not a huge fan of Nina Dobrev. I’m giving this two stars because it’s a Christmas film, where I have to count on such phenomena.
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