This was hardly a perfect movie, but I found myself enjoying it quite a bit. This movie is from 2010, and I've realized I like a lot of the older Hallmarks better than many of the newer ones. That's because Hallmark has become extremely formulaic. Maybe 75% of their stories are about a big city career woman who finds herself in a small town and reevaluates her life and connects with a guy in the small town, usually an old flame. The older Hallmarks may not be quite as polished, but at least their plots seem more original.

I really liked the message of this movie, which was that trying to find the perfect partner with a list of desired characteristics isn't the best way to go. In this movie, our overly-analytical heroine Sarah goes way overboard on the wish list, with some really trivial deal breakers on that list. But I can relate to her. As a single guy, I certainly had an internal wish list, and the more girls I dated, the longer that list became, to the point I was eventually looking for some impossible amalgamation of all the best qualities of my past girlfriends, without any of the flaws. My eventual wife certainly didn't check all the boxes, but she checked many other boxes that I never even realized I needed or wanted. The same thing eventually happened for Sarah and Fred. That's how relationships in the real world seem to work.

I liked how they made Erik so disgustingly perfect that nobody in the real world could relate to him. He was like some Ken doll come to life. My favorite character was Fred. He was definitely obnoxious at times, especially when he condescendingly offered Sarah the coffee he thought she should have, rather than the one she ordered. But he was someone who seemed comfortable in his own skin and who, despite his imperfections, was still confident. I liked how he eventually showed his vulnerable side when he confessed his feelings for Sarah at the barista competition. David Sutcliffe played this character to perfection, making him somehow likable, even with his annoying characteristics. Jennifer Esposito was also okay, but I wasn't overly wowed by her performance.

There were certainly a few rough edges to this movie. For example, I didn't like how Fred asked Sarah on a date (and she accepted), even though he knew very well that she had a boyfriend. They should have found a way to make that not seem like so much of a date. Maybe he could have invited her to go to the club with some other friends who left early, leaving the two of them alone. It was just clumsily written. Also, the Saturday-Night-Fever-esque dance off between Erik and Fred was pretty bizarre. It really seemed out of character for Erik to be doing that.

Otherwise, I really liked this movie. I enjoyed the repartee between Fred and Sarah and I thought the chemistry between them was decent. I also liked her character arc, where she was finally able to loosen up. As I said, it wasn't a perfect movie, but it was, nonetheless, enjoyable. Definitely worth a watch.

The story here is cute, light and easily watchable, which was exactly what I was looking for when I put it on. David Sutcliffe is charming and Jennifer Esposito does a great job with her role as well. Sure it's also a bit silly at times, predictable and mindless but still totally enjoyable and I'll admit brought a smile to my face.

The story follows Esposito as an HR executive and perfectionist who makes a (comprehensive) list of the qualities she's looking for in a mate and soon hooks up with the seemingly ideal guy (good looking, child, animal loving Doctor) in the meantime she also finds herself drawn to the kooky barista from her local coffee shop who encourages her to loosen up.

On the downside this was draggy in parts due to the fact that there isn't much story to speak of and they fill it up with drawn out barista competitions & 70's dance offs. I also got tired of all the split screen shots, sometimes up to 4 at a time, which I don't usually even notice but they were used so much here it started to drive me crazy.

Wish List has been put on by Faith & Family and Hallmark entertainment so there are a couple of bible verses randomly thrown in which did feel out of tune with the movie. Guess there was a faith quota? 12/20/15

For what appears to be a faith based movie, I found some things to be odd.

Bible verses are quoted to Sarah by her sister and Sarah seems to accept them. But nothing in her behavior appears to agree with them. Not that she is immoral or bad in any way. It just seems pointless to have them.

If there is a lesson to the story it seems to be along the lines of not getting hung up on lists of rules or expectations but follow your heart. This isn't necessarily a bad lesson, but the story takes this to extremes. The way the movie plays it, the protagonist goes totally by what she feels and seems to ignore any common sense or wisdom.

It's a sweet romantic story in the sense of what the world expects. It's enjoyable. I just don't see what it has to do with what I'd hope for from a truly faith based movie.

There's not many lol moments. The acting is fair to poor with David Sutcliffe being at the top end of that and the other two main characters a little less.

It's clean in terms of no sex (not even implied) or violence, but there is a scene where Sarah appears drunk.