Dating the Delaneys Plot Summary
Three generations of women explore the highs and lows of modern-day dating, learning that love and romance can be found at any age.
Starring: Rachel Boston and Paul Campbell
Image: Crown Media
A More Realistic Romance Movie
Dating the Delaneys is a delight on so many levels.
First, the movie reunites Paul Campbell and Rachel Boston who first wowed audiences in 2019's The Last Bridesmaid. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the playful banter between the two is natural, seamless, and funny (albeit corny). Despite the high volume of puns woven throughout the movie, they are creative and entertaining. Most of us would disagree with Steve's judgment (Maggie's date from the app) that puns are the "lowest forms of humor!"
Second, the movie paints a more realistic view of what dating is truly like, depending on the age bracket of the people involved. Maggie's mom, Barb, is a widow who has found the resolve to seek companionship with someone new, and the two enjoy pickle ball and other activities together. Emma is the typical teen who is attracted to the popular guy at school, despite what a jerk he is, until she realizes "New Kid" treats her much better, appreciates her, and shares her love of science. (By the way, does anyone else think he looks a young Adam Sandler?) Maggie is jolted by her ex's engagement announcement, and it propels her to move on with her life, too. It's so easy for single moms to get wrapped up in their kids and jobs that they forget to make time for their own needs.
In fact, when Devon reminds Maggie on a Friday night to cut loose and have some fun, Maggie has clearly forgotten how. Her idea of fun is making a game of tossing laundry into the washer and tidying the house.
While David isn't a deadbeat dad to Gary and Emma, his absence is felt acutely. The movie serves as a great reminder of how important it is when couples divorce for them to make every effort to be emotionally and physically available to their children.
Have You Ever Used a Dating App?
Devon drags Maggie onto the modern dating scene by creating profiles for her on multiple dating apps. No matter how good someone might look on paper, however, we quickly see that algorithms don't always generate the best matches.
Although Casey Manderson often plays the sweet guy-next-door in Hallmark movies, he assumes a very different character in Dating the Delaneys. He plays Steve, the guy Maggie takes the initiative to wink at on an app, which scores her a date. He has no sense of humor and is darkly serious. A very awkward moment transpires when he admits her owning her own business is a bit intimidating. He asks what her thoughts were when she saw he was a software engineer. Thinking of the stereotype, Maggie jokingly chides she thought he would be a dork. Not only is he rigidly unamused, he makes it clear he's not a fan of women who have kids.
If you've ever been on a blind date, you can also relate to the uncomfortable encounter Maggie has with George, a man her mom arranges for her to meet. When Maggie arrives at the restaurant, George has already ordered without her and won't stop eating or looking at his phone to make conversation. The waiter rescues her and quickly ushers her out when George is in the restroom, promising to offer an excuse for her unexpected departure.
If you've ever used a dating app or gone on an agonizing blind date, share your experience in the comments!
We Need More Movies Like This One
Hallmark should stick to doing what they do best--making movies like Dating the Delaneys that are relatable, relaxing, clean, and engaging. Many of the new movies they've been producing of late are so saturated with "woke" elements that the brand is suffering. Fans are leaving in droves for GAC Family to escape the perpetual force-feeding of an "agenda."
Three woke moments can be found in Dating the Delaneys, but at least they aren't obvious and don't ruin the movie. All three reverberate the same theme--that males are oppressors. This is a common talking point of feminists.
First, as previously mentioned, Steve remarks Maggie owning her own business is intimidating. This insinuates a man can't handle smart and successful women and would prefer to be dominate in these areas.
Second, when Emma is bowling with a group of friends, her crush, Zack, has a bad attitude because his team is losing. Emma says she's not going to throw a gutter ball just to make him happy. Again, this suggests that women feel pressured to downplay their talents to coddle a man's ego.
Last, when Emma is upset that Zack isn't interested in her, Maggie gives her some motherly advice about finding the right guy. Maggie says that a man should be a gentleman. Absolutely! But then she continues that a man must support what a strong girl she is, and that Emma should never allow a man to make her feel small so he can feel big. Maggie's comment again supports left-wing ideology that men are oppressors of women. There are PLENTY of women in the world who put down men to make themselves feel big, too. Oppressive behavior isn't reserved for men only--it's a bad character quality that can affect how both men AND women treat one another in a relationship. Maggie could have offered advice to Emma that either sex could take to heart--we should never let a person turn us into a doormat, and we should all select mates who love and appreciate us for who we are.
Shame on Hallmark for emasculating men! A few bad apples don't ruin the bunch. In fact, Michael embodies the normal, modern man. He is smart, charming, witty, and successful, and he values and celebrates all of Maggie's accomplishments and virtues. Good character can shine through acting roles without all the woke nonsense being injected into the script.
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