For the past five years, my movie blog has highlighted a surprising trend: Hallmark-related content consistently resonates with readers. The editorial on why Francesca Quinn, PI was, in my view, the worst Hallmark movie ever, remarkably garnered over two thousand views within six months. Despite this interest, it’s been some time since I last delved into a Hallmark production, with my review of the Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities being my most recent. To address this gap, I decided to watch and review Guiding Emily, the newest offering from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Initially, the premise of Guiding Emily Hallmark intrigued me, promising a narrative that seemed to deviate from typical Hallmark movie tropes and clichés. However, the concept of a talking dog introduced a note of skepticism. Based on Barbara Hinske’s book of the same name, Guiding Emily presents the story from both the protagonist’s and her guide dog’s perspectives. I was uncertain how effectively the guide dog’s perspective would translate to the screen. Nevertheless, curiosity won, and I decided to watch Guiding Emily Hallmark to see if my reservations were warranted.
What Worked Well in Guiding Emily
Sarah Drew’s Expressive Performance
When discussing acting performances, expressiveness is a key quality I often highlight. Actors can convey profound emotions and nuances through various techniques, and one of the most powerful is the use of their eyes. In Guiding Emily Hallmark, Sarah Drew faced a unique challenge as she portrayed Emily, a character who has lost her eyesight. To overcome this, Drew masterfully employed other acting tools to deliver an incredibly expressive performance. She utilized body language, vocal inflections, and subtle mouth movements to communicate Emily’s inner world. A particularly poignant example is the scene where Emily receives news from her boyfriend, Conner. Initially, upon hearing Conner’s news, Emily’s reaction is pure joy. A wide smile illuminates her face, and a giggle escapes her lips, showcasing her genuine happiness for him. However, as Conner continues to share more details, a noticeable shift occurs in Emily’s demeanor. Her smile slowly fades, and her voice takes on a defeated tone, reflecting a sudden change in her emotional state. This defeat quickly morphs into profound sadness. The slight trembling of Emily’s lower lip and the heart-wrenching sobs that follow provide undeniable evidence of her deep sorrow. Adding to the scene’s complexity, Emily has bandages covering her eyes due to recent surgery, further emphasizing Drew’s skill in conveying emotion without relying on her eyes.
Realistic Portrayal of Guide Dog Training
Guiding Emily Hallmark offers a glimpse into the world of guide dog training through Garth, the canine companion destined to become Emily’s guide dog. Before assuming this vital role, Garth undergoes extensive training, depicted through a series of insightful scenes. These scenes realistically address the dedication and challenges involved in guide dog training. For approximately two years, Katie dedicates herself to Garth’s training. During this period, Katie’s son, Alex, expresses frustration at not being able to take Garth to the pet store, believing it would be beneficial for socialization. Katie patiently explains to Alex the practical reasons behind this restriction, including Garth’s incomplete vaccination schedule and his need to gradually acclimate to stimulating environments. When Garth’s training culminates in graduation, the film portrays this milestone as a deeply emotional moment. Katie’s sadness is palpable, and she appears on the verge of tears as she prepares to say goodbye to Garth. Mark, the representative from the guide dog organization who placed Garth with Katie, also displays a bittersweet expression, acknowledging the emotional bond formed during training. Scenes like these in Guiding Emily Hallmark do not shy away from depicting the emotional complexities of letting go of a dog with whom one has formed a significant bond through the training process, adding a layer of authenticity to the narrative.
Beautiful Scenery Enhances the Story
While not central to the plot, the scenery in Guiding Emily Hallmark is undeniably captivating and adds a layer of visual appeal to the film. One location that particularly stands out is the backyard of Emily’s mother’s house. A sprawling, verdant green lawn acts as a perfect stage for the scene’s centerpiece – a large expanse of sparkling blue water. The water feature is framed by a border of lush shrubbery and a vibrant array of colorful flowers, creating a picturesque “curtain” effect. At the water’s edge, a cozy sitting area is arranged around a gray stone fire pit, inviting relaxation and contemplation. The backyard of Emily’s mother’s house is so visually stunning that it could easily grace the cover of any home and garden magazine, enhancing the overall viewing experience of Guiding Emily Hallmark.
Where Guiding Emily Fell Short
Disjointed Narrative Perspective
As mentioned earlier, Guiding Emily Hallmark is adapted from a book that presents the story from both the protagonist’s and her guide dog’s perspectives. This narrative element is carried over to the screen, with the film intermittently shifting between Emily and Garth’s viewpoints. However, the script heavily favors Emily’s perspective, with Garth’s side of the story often relegated to brief, sporadic scenes. This uneven distribution of narrative focus was somewhat disappointing, as I had anticipated a more balanced portrayal of both Emily and Garth’s experiences. Ideally, I envisioned Guiding Emily Hallmark as a story equally centered on Emily and Garth learning to navigate life and overcome challenges as a team. The film, while touching, missed an opportunity to fully explore this dual perspective dynamic.
Underdeveloped Supporting Characters
During Emily’s stay at her mother’s house, she meets Zoe, her mother’s next-door neighbor. This initial encounter sparks a friendly acquaintanceship between the two women, suggesting a potential for Zoe to play a more significant role in Emily’s journey. However, after Zoe briefly interacts with Matthew, one of Emily’s friends, at his rock-climbing facility, she essentially vanishes from the narrative. Zoe’s disappearance from the storyline for a substantial portion of the movie feels abrupt and unresolved. Similarly, Katie, Garth’s trainer, is introduced with her son, Alex. Despite being a two-hour film, Alex makes only two brief appearances throughout Guiding Emily Hallmark. Notably, he is absent from Garth’s graduation ceremony, a significant event in the story. The limited screen time and underdeveloped arcs of characters like Zoe and Alex raise questions about their inclusion in the narrative. It feels as though these younger characters were introduced with the potential for richer storylines but were ultimately relegated to the periphery and forgotten, weakening the overall narrative depth of Guiding Emily Hallmark.
Plot Inconsistencies
Following her hospital discharge, Emily returns to her apartment in Guiding Emily Hallmark. One day, she attempts to navigate her home independently, without relying on her vision. This attempt culminates in a somewhat farcical disaster, with Emily tripping over a couch and mistakenly spilling pasta noodles, believing them to be chips. In the aftermath of this incident, Emily’s mother expresses criticism towards Conner for leaving Emily alone for six hours, during which Conner explains he was “taking a meeting.” However, a crucial question remains unanswered: where was Emily’s mother during these six hours? Wasn’t she meant to be staying with and supporting her recently discharged daughter? The script’s failure to address the whereabouts of Emily’s mother during this period creates a noticeable plot hole. This scene is one of several moments in Guiding Emily Hallmark where logical inconsistencies detract from the viewing experience, leaving the audience with unanswered questions and a sense of narrative oversight.
My Overall Impression
On the blog, It’s a Wonderful Movie, a commenter suggested that Guiding Emily Hallmark would have been more fitting as a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. Reflecting on the film, I find myself agreeing with this sentiment. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ latest offering does indeed evoke the feel of classic Hallmark Hall of Fame productions. While Guiding Emily Hallmark is not without its flaws, including a somewhat disjointed narrative and a few plot inconsistencies, it remains a pleasant and worthwhile film. It distinguishes itself from typical Hallmark fare by presenting a more unique and thoughtful story, successfully avoiding many of the network’s usual tropes and clichés. The talking dog element in Guiding Emily bears a resemblance to Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, creating the impression that the audience is privy to the animal’s thoughts. Ultimately, I wish Hallmark would produce more movies like Guiding Emily Hallmark, where creative teams are encouraged to venture outside the established formula and explore more innovative storytelling approaches.
Overall score: 7 out of 10
Have you watched Guiding Emily Hallmark? Would you like to see Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries tell more creatively diverse stories through film? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Have fun at the movies!
Sally Silverscreen
