Starring: Nikki DeLoach, Scott Porter, and Corbin Bernsen
Released: 2021 (Fall Harvest)
Summary: A writer looking for a cover story returns to her family's ranch to write an article about an equestrian event. She rediscovers her passion for riding and her ex-husband.
Samantha and Luke get a second chance at love. Image: Crown Media
Taking The Reins Is The Perfect Movie Title
If ever Hallmark picked the perfect title for a movie, it's this one. Taking the Reins serves a literal and metaphorical purpose.
On the surface, the idea of taking the reins refers to Samantha (DeLoach) and her father (Bernsen) guiding a horse, Rascal, during an equestrian competition. The concept runs much deeper, however.
Why are reins necessary? Without them, riders would have little, if any, control of their horses. In the movie, many of the characters are grappling for control and direction in their own lives.
- Samantha wants to write a cover-worthy article, and it requires her to pen a story that only she can write. Her goal is to break the wall between her head and her heart and connect with readers. To do this, she must become the story. After falling during a competition three years earlier, Samantha no longer rides, but she takes back the reins, not only to spare her aging father from a potential accident, but to conquer her own insecurities. Metaphorically, she's taking deliberate steps towards controlling the direction of her career.
Nikki DeLoach is an experienced rider, having grown up on a farm in Georgia. Image: Crown Media
- Luke still loves Samantha, even though he walked away when things got sticky, which contributed to their divorce. This time around, Luke does a better job taking the reins of the relationship. He starts by asserting himself when Samantha asks him to train her. He agrees to do it, only if she will listen to him. When Samantha asks if he still loves her, Luke wastes no time in admitting it and then passionately kissing her. He opens up about his feelings instead of running this time, and he guides the relationship back to steady ground.
Taking the Reins is Scott Porter's first Hallmark movie. Image: Crown Media
- Samantha's sister, Alexandra, feels a little stuck crunching the numbers for her family's farm. She has bigger aspirations, but she's too intimidated by her father to broach the subject. She doesn't have to. Preston and Bonnie toy with the idea of selling the farm so they can travel. Instead of selling, however, they pass the reins to Alexandra by promoting her to general manager.
Image: Crown Media
A Story About Second Chances
If you are divorced, can you imagine remarrying your ex?
Divorced couples rarely find their way back to each other, so this is a refreshing story about the power of love making the seemingly impossible a reality.
Samantha also gets a second chance for a better relationship with her father. Preston is lovingly chided by his wife as being an "old bear." He's gruff and emotionally distant, which masks the fact that he loves his kids and is proud of them, even though he doesn't show it.
Corbin Bernsen is a veteran actor best known for his roles in L.A. Law and Psych. Image: Crown Media
Since her departure from the world of equestrian competition, Samantha feels she's been a disappointment to her father. Preston proves her wrong by showing her a special box where he's kept every article she's ever written.
A Feel Good Movie With Only One Dumb Part
Any movie starring Nikki DeLoach is always gold. Although other Hallmark movies have centered on married couples finding each other again, they aren't as common, and that makes this one just a little sweeter.
Unfortunately, Hallmark couldn't resist stamping the movie with a "woke" sticker by tacking on a gay and bi-racial relationship right at the end. It was forced and obvious, like a patch covering a hole in your favorite pair of jeans. Did they finish filming the movie, only to realize they forgot to include a scene that would keep cancel culture from burning down their headquarters?
What Hallmark can't seem to grasp is that they are not including "diversity." They are actually slapping their audience in the face with political ideology viewers are trying to escape. It continues to cheapen the Hallmark brand, which is why many fans are looking forward to movies on the new GAC-Family network run by former Crown Media CEO, Bill Abbott. Abbott never bowed to the mob.
Find Us On Social Media!
If you are a romantic comedy movie fan, you can find us on a variety of social media platforms. Our groups are fun and cozy with unique content.
Great review.
ReplyDeleteI was super disappointed to see the gay couple at the end. It came out of left field and actually certainly not apropo to this wholesome, winsome movie
ReplyDelete