Based on the title I thought it was about fishing upstream, it's not, I don't think there was even a stream? The premise was sort of interesting, dumped relationship expert needs to write a new book so she goes on an adventure camping trip to write about her experiences. The scenery is beautiful, water, sunsets, made me want to go glamping! The characters were convincing but I kept thinking something was missing? Who stole the canoes? Did she really think she was better than all of them? I didn't get that sense until the ending when the boss made the offensive marketing ads. I just thought she wanted to prove she wasn't a stuck up city girl. Also is this how publishing works? People get an enormous amount of time to vacation and "write a book" but no pages ever have to be shown until the veryyyyyy last minute? Promo is made before the book is finished? This story has been done many times but I always find it odd. I also get annoyed when a character says they have to care for an injured parent and we NEVER see them actual care for them.
15 Reviews
Bad script
drbreakwell9 May 2021
fine TV romance
SnoopyStyle28 August 2021
Charlotte Meyers is a successful writer of relationship books. Her new book is about salvaging her relationship and getting engaged. She is blindsided when her boyfriend dumps her. Her whole career is put in doubt. Wilderness guide Rob Wilson is tired of his clueless city dwelling clients. They are two very different people and they get stuck together in an elevator. Despite hating him, she has an idea to rejuvenate her career and he needs the money for his father's medical bills.
The premise is fine especially for a TV romance movie. It's not anything great but at least, it's quick. It basically boils down to the two leads. They are relative nobody actors. They do have functional chemistry after a fun meet-cute. She's better than him. They're both fairly fine. She just seems more comedic or at least, she's trying harder to be comedic. More could be done with the style. It's not just about the money but imagination. This is fine.
The premise is fine especially for a TV romance movie. It's not anything great but at least, it's quick. It basically boils down to the two leads. They are relative nobody actors. They do have functional chemistry after a fun meet-cute. She's better than him. They're both fairly fine. She just seems more comedic or at least, she's trying harder to be comedic. More could be done with the style. It's not just about the money but imagination. This is fine.
The benefit of the doubt, just because I like love stories in general: a very meager 6/10
MireilleR13 July 2022
Quite an average love story. Nothing more, nothing less. Fortunately the lead actress wasn't too dolled up and after a rough start she was quite likeable. The lead actor didn't look like an outdoorsy type to me at all though (it takes a little more than a beard). Not very believable. Support cast was okay, nice scenery.
The benefit of the doubt, just because I like love stories in general: a very meager 6 out of 10.
The benefit of the doubt, just because I like love stories in general: a very meager 6 out of 10.
Half baked
Jackbv1236 September 2021
Start with the unoriginal failed-relationship-author premise. Add a totally unlikeable, make that hateable, woman. She's an arrogant,, self-absorbed, know-it-all who can't see the plain reality around her. Then she throws a tantrum stuck in an elevator and tops that off insulting the guy who keeps his cool to get them out. What a great start, but stick with it. It gets slightly better.
He's a little self-absorbed and arrogant himself, but much more quiet about it although he throws an insult or two at her. And a lot of secondary characters are pretty unlikeable.
Of course the two leads' ugly personalities don't last and they change completely. Trouble is, it's hard to believe a person like Charlotte can really change that much.
The middle is mostly about Charlotte being coached in the Wilderness. Sounds like a great opportunity of some breathtaking scenery. Nope. Most of the Wilderness stuff is shot either in the same spot on a lake, or the same clearing in the woods. You don't even get much look at what she can see off the deck of her cabin.
The conflict was predictable, although it has some twists too. Trouble is the twists are ridiculous and the way the conflict blows up is ridiculous too. No one is as stupid as what Charlotte does to make everything go bad.
Kimberly-Sue Murray and Steve Lund have chemistry. The acting is spotty. At times it seems half hearted, or like the actors are uncertain. The story is clumsy especially when it goes off the rails with the silly plot lines. That's not referring to a couple of funny moments which depend a little on the ridiculous like when Rob meets Charlotte's ex, or when he's teaching her to start a fire.
Technical point - a J-stroke does not mean constantly switching sides.
He's a little self-absorbed and arrogant himself, but much more quiet about it although he throws an insult or two at her. And a lot of secondary characters are pretty unlikeable.
Of course the two leads' ugly personalities don't last and they change completely. Trouble is, it's hard to believe a person like Charlotte can really change that much.
The middle is mostly about Charlotte being coached in the Wilderness. Sounds like a great opportunity of some breathtaking scenery. Nope. Most of the Wilderness stuff is shot either in the same spot on a lake, or the same clearing in the woods. You don't even get much look at what she can see off the deck of her cabin.
The conflict was predictable, although it has some twists too. Trouble is the twists are ridiculous and the way the conflict blows up is ridiculous too. No one is as stupid as what Charlotte does to make everything go bad.
Kimberly-Sue Murray and Steve Lund have chemistry. The acting is spotty. At times it seems half hearted, or like the actors are uncertain. The story is clumsy especially when it goes off the rails with the silly plot lines. That's not referring to a couple of funny moments which depend a little on the ridiculous like when Rob meets Charlotte's ex, or when he's teaching her to start a fire.
Technical point - a J-stroke does not mean constantly switching sides.
It was Cute
youngandrestless1234527 August 2021
Better Than Average Hallmarkish Movie
johne-5595227 August 2021
This movie is actually worth watching, probably because it wasn't actually produced by Hallmark. Good acting. Nice witty dialog. Yeah the plot is not original like most of these movies, but the good acting / directing / writing make it very watchable as a romcom.
Of particular note is the male lead actor (Canadian) who can actually act, unlike many of the male actors in this type of movie. In fact the chemistry between the male and female lead is also very good. They do a great job playing off each other.
As what I call a "Hallmarkish" movie this is a cut above most of them.
Of particular note is the male lead actor (Canadian) who can actually act, unlike many of the male actors in this type of movie. In fact the chemistry between the male and female lead is also very good. They do a great job playing off each other.
As what I call a "Hallmarkish" movie this is a cut above most of them.
"I'm too busy Being Fat and Mannish!"
rebekahrox30 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A funny script, interspersed with good drama and suspense makes this an above average tv romance. There was great chemistry between the two leads, Kimberly-Sue Murray (perky and high maintenance Charlotte) and Steve Lund (dry and cynical Rob). There were several laugh-out-loud comic scenes between the two antagonists turned lovers, as well as tension and eventual tenderness. Each of the actors made the most of the script with their excellent comic timing. And that also goes for Nadine Whiteman Roden who played Tina, the owner of the Wilderness retreat's wife and eventual friend of Charlotte, our fish-out -of -water heroine. Her opening scene shaming an elderly "Karen" was classic. Charlotte is a devoted city girl who writes books giving relationship advice. When her fiancé dumps her, it puts her career on the verge of shambles. She changes focus and decided to write a book about how to survive in the wilderness. Just go with it.
Her showpiece scene is her panic attack while caught in an elevator with our eventual hero. He is not impressed, to say the least. His big scene is when the couple meet her snobby ex-boyfriend at a fancy restaurant who superciliously asks him what he does for a living. He replies in all seriousness that he is a Prince. So funny. And I loved how he had her back and put him in his place. The actor who played the cheating ex was a dead ringer for Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) which made the take-down all the more satisfying. I also wanted to give props to Tenika Davis who played Charlotte's affected snotty city friend, who inadvertently shows Charlotte that her heart is not in Chicago after all.
After adventures, when Charlotte submits her manuscript, her editor changes it to cruelly mock her new friends. They are hurt and betrayed. Tina won't speak to her, as she yells across the yard, "I'm too busy being "fat" and "mannish!"
Of course it all gets straightened out, and Rob's romantic declaration of love was sweet and touching. Like I said, the chemistry between these two actors was the best I've seen in a long time.
Her showpiece scene is her panic attack while caught in an elevator with our eventual hero. He is not impressed, to say the least. His big scene is when the couple meet her snobby ex-boyfriend at a fancy restaurant who superciliously asks him what he does for a living. He replies in all seriousness that he is a Prince. So funny. And I loved how he had her back and put him in his place. The actor who played the cheating ex was a dead ringer for Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) which made the take-down all the more satisfying. I also wanted to give props to Tenika Davis who played Charlotte's affected snotty city friend, who inadvertently shows Charlotte that her heart is not in Chicago after all.
After adventures, when Charlotte submits her manuscript, her editor changes it to cruelly mock her new friends. They are hurt and betrayed. Tina won't speak to her, as she yells across the yard, "I'm too busy being "fat" and "mannish!"
Of course it all gets straightened out, and Rob's romantic declaration of love was sweet and touching. Like I said, the chemistry between these two actors was the best I've seen in a long time.
Good actor selection
Pvrspecialist7 June 2021
The actors were appropriate for the characters. Very down to earth, no squeaky voices. There is another with a similar theme with Christopher Russell and Cindy Busby. City girl, wilderness. Cindy not relatable and voice is grating. The actors in this film relateable and you actually feel for them and the two friends. Great movie and I watch alot of Hallmark movies which only Christmas Waltz rated a 10 for me.
loved it- not cheesy
merlotlover8 May 2021
What a breath of fresh air!
libkestearnswillssmith19 July 2022
I watch a ton of Hallmark movies and often I stop watching halfway through. But this movie, an Upstream movie, really struck an original chord with me. The witty dialogue made this movie stand out from the average romance. The romantic leads stood out as believable and refreshing. 10 out of 10.
FAR ABOVE AVERAGE! Thoroughly enjoyed it.
JBThackery28 January 2023
This is certainly not your run of the mill Hallmark rendering. It is totally original from the beginning. I actually watched it with my wife, a total devotee of the genre, which I seldom do; but I found it so enchanting and entertaining from the beginning, I stayed with it.
To start with, the casting caught my eye as superbly representative of their characters. The leads were real, talented, intriguing, and attractive, and shared great chemistry between them. The lighting, color balance, photography, editing, and directing were superlative. The storyline drew me in and kept me too enthralled to leave the TV.
I particularly enjoyed the transformance of the leads into deeper persons who find themselves through their joint novel experiences, all among a realistic support cast who helped hold the flow together.
To start with, the casting caught my eye as superbly representative of their characters. The leads were real, talented, intriguing, and attractive, and shared great chemistry between them. The lighting, color balance, photography, editing, and directing were superlative. The storyline drew me in and kept me too enthralled to leave the TV.
I particularly enjoyed the transformance of the leads into deeper persons who find themselves through their joint novel experiences, all among a realistic support cast who helped hold the flow together.
Not quite as expected, but better in many ways
SunnyDaise18 January 2023
Theoretically this is another 'fish-out-of-water' movie, but the 'fish' is more interesting than first appears. In many ways, we get kind of the spring/summer equivalent to 'Winter In Vail', but a bit more complicated. It feels like there's a bigger cast than these movies usually have - of course many were downsized during pandemic filming (which I actually prefer in many ways). Although there are no children in the show, it is all-age-friendly. If you're ok with some mean comments - this is a bit more verbally brutal in a few places than I'd generally expect in feel-good TV movies. However these negative actions are portrayed as being mistakes that need to be put right, so it is constructive rather than destructive.
Refreshing, outdoorsy, touching
MickyG3332 February 2024
8.0 stars.
An author is getting her own TV show and her book about relationships is going to be a bestseller. Something goes awry and it all falls apart in a very short time. Now she's left picking up the pieces. She meets a man in an elevator and she comes off as very uptight and city girl snooty, but this guy is special and down-to-earth. Even though he is turned off initially, she gets another chance (by coincidence-a Hallmark one). Eventually she ends up doing a story about him and a lake resort that he owns with two of his friends. The rest is an adventure that is original, refreshing, and entertaining. I really enjoyed the romantic aspects, because they are tangible as both leads reach down to their core to give us something real. She is flawed, yet cute and insightful. He is very deep and emotional, but really loves her. They are great together, the passion is palpable. I love this film.
An author is getting her own TV show and her book about relationships is going to be a bestseller. Something goes awry and it all falls apart in a very short time. Now she's left picking up the pieces. She meets a man in an elevator and she comes off as very uptight and city girl snooty, but this guy is special and down-to-earth. Even though he is turned off initially, she gets another chance (by coincidence-a Hallmark one). Eventually she ends up doing a story about him and a lake resort that he owns with two of his friends. The rest is an adventure that is original, refreshing, and entertaining. I really enjoyed the romantic aspects, because they are tangible as both leads reach down to their core to give us something real. She is flawed, yet cute and insightful. He is very deep and emotional, but really loves her. They are great together, the passion is palpable. I love this film.
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