Second Chances (2013)

People are voting emotionally.

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

I have read all six reviews that appear before this one, and I find it almost unbelievable that the three someones who obviously don't care for "Hallmark style" television movies would take the time and effort to pan it on an internet forum. If you don't like it, just change the channel.Yes, the movie is somewhat formulaic, but I challenge you to name me many movies that don't follow some formula. Intro, character and plot development, conflict, and resolution.The devotion that Jenny shows for her children caused her to eschew Jeff's affections despite his obvious adoration for her entire family. Jeff was disappointed by her decision, but honored it despite his feelings for her and the children.The children were well portrayed, but seemed a bit more precocious than was necessary. The ancillary characters were represented with believability with the exception of the Ed Asner "Buddy" character, who came across as too good to be true.Nonetheless, the movie was enjoyable and I have watched it more than once, and will probably watch it again.

No, he isn't. I only wish that Ed would do a little murdering. This movie is terrible. The only reason you're going to watch it is because there's an elderly woman controlling the remote and you're not going to have the guts to punch her out and take the remote. Spoiler: Ed pulls up and ask her if she knows what two and two means. She of course knows the answer. They kiss and a crowd of firemen applaud. Roll credits.For fun, try to watch and not be completely freaked out by that same piano line playing over and over and over; or by that annoyingly loud fake bird noise in that screams every few seconds when the scenes are set outside. I've been a vegetarian for 23 years and if I could catch that bird I'd get all Ozzy Osbourne on it.

Hallmark has a tradition of producing enjoyable family movies. I always look forward to a new production.I watched Second Chances for one-half hour and then I turned it off. The background music is louder than the voices. And the music is a constant, annoying "bing-bong" type of music that truly interferes with the clarity of the speaking. It is the same Hallmark music in so many of their movies. It is like a record continually playing, and like listening to a concert and a lecture at the same time. The music never stops. Every word should be clear and one should not have to try and listen intently. This is not relaxing entertainment. The classic movies had music when there was action, not when people were speaking. You could hear a pin drop and every word.So this movie gets a one star for incomplete, annoying viewing. Very disappointed in Hallmark.

Alison Sweeney, single mother of two, has her hours cut back at the emergency call center where she works and decides to rent out a room in her house. Greg Vaughan, a fireman with a broken leg needs such a room -- he can't climb the stairs to his third floor walkup.Bingo! You know they are going to fall in love, but the way they get there is charming. He does magic and her adorable kids -- who, in response to the home emergency, have gotten themselves jobs reading to people at the local retirement home -- are enchanted.The only problem I have with this movie is the thought that these two people are unattached at the start of movie. Why haven't they been snapped up by other partners already? The movie is strengthened, as are many of the Hallmark TV movies, by the casting of older but excellent actors in some small roles. Here it's Rance Howard and Ed Asner as two occupants of the retirement home.