In the realm of hallmark movies, I rate this one as better than average. Sure, the premise was dumb--in real life it is not controversial to be a man who's a nurse. But if you can get past that then I thought the two leads really did develop some chemistry together and I was convinced that they cared about each other. I'd say the acting was better than average for hallmark too. The female lead had a big role in the show Parenthood, and I think she's a good actor. The ending was a little cringeworthy because hallmark thinks you always have to wrap things up with a big public romantic gesture, which kind of kills a lot of movies, but oh well. You could do worse if you're looking for a film to pass the time with on this station.
26 Reviews
premise has problems
SnoopyStyle22 April 2019
In Chicago, Katherine Benson (Erika Christensen) is a driven CEO of a successful family property developer company. Everybody is concerned about her dating life. She has been nominally dating Charles Hodges but she figures that he wants to take over the company from her and her father. Jack Cooper (Paul Greene) is a charming honest guy. He's happy to be a nurse but all the girls look down on his job. Kate gets pushed into internet dating by her assistant and switching profiles with her. Jack decides to do the same but his immoral friend changes his profile. They fall for each other but the lies are inevitably uncovered.
It's Hallmark. The leads are beautiful. They would make beautiful babies. The premise comes out of some sort of sitcom misunderstanding and awkward lies. It's not the best. It would help if Kate isn't dating that jerk. At the very least, she needs to break up with him. The attitude about male nurses seems very outdated and oddly universal. Once the father goes to the hospital, there is no reason to not tell the truth except it is needed for story construction reasons. The best friend Reggie Le Duca is annoying and Debbie is completely out of his league. The obvious move is for him to lie about his job and Debbie falls for it. The movie doesn't do that and I hate it even more for it. It could have tied into the original premise. The premise is problematic for many reasons, mostly since either person could have told the truth at any time. His reasoning after discovering the truth is problematic as well. It's all a little problematic although I do like the two lead actors. There are surprisingly deep moments like Kate accidentally sideswipes Debbie with a comment. Even that scene could have done more. Despite liking the actors and the characters, there is lots that need some massaging.
It's Hallmark. The leads are beautiful. They would make beautiful babies. The premise comes out of some sort of sitcom misunderstanding and awkward lies. It's not the best. It would help if Kate isn't dating that jerk. At the very least, she needs to break up with him. The attitude about male nurses seems very outdated and oddly universal. Once the father goes to the hospital, there is no reason to not tell the truth except it is needed for story construction reasons. The best friend Reggie Le Duca is annoying and Debbie is completely out of his league. The obvious move is for him to lie about his job and Debbie falls for it. The movie doesn't do that and I hate it even more for it. It could have tied into the original premise. The premise is problematic for many reasons, mostly since either person could have told the truth at any time. His reasoning after discovering the truth is problematic as well. It's all a little problematic although I do like the two lead actors. There are surprisingly deep moments like Kate accidentally sideswipes Debbie with a comment. Even that scene could have done more. Despite liking the actors and the characters, there is lots that need some massaging.
Love and prejudice
TheLittleSongbird4 February 2023
On the most part, while uneven, the 2016 Countdown to Valentine's Day Hallmark batch was not bad at all. 'Dater's Handbook' was the only real misfire, with 'Valentine Ever After' being particularly good. The premise for 'Anything for Love' didn't really sound that promising, actually it sounded dumb and unrealistic, but still it anyway as a Hallmark completest who saw plenty of good and more 2016 Hallmark films and who likes Paul Greene in most of his work.
'Anything for Love' was not bad at all and actually quite enjoyed it. It is far from perfect and doesn't completely avoid the traps that the premise had, but it surprisingly did not turn out as over silly and unrealistic as it sounded on paper. As far as the 2016 Countdown to Valentine's Day films go, it is not on the same level as 'Valentine Ever After' but it is infinitely better than 'Dater's Handbook' (not that that is particularly hard, a film would have to be near irredeemable to be worse than that).
There are things that don't quite come off. The story is admittedly often very silly and some serious suspension of disbelief is needed. Especially in the contrived final act, where a lot of awkward and forced dialogue can be heard and where some characters are at their most frustrating in their vague and rash decision making.
Did find a few characters annoying and less than subtly played, particularly Reggie, and the ending was unpleasantly syrupy and far too neat (undeserved too). The story can be very predictable and can drag at times.
However, the acting is fine on the whole with very appealing performances from both Greene, amiable and subtly charismatic as ever, and Erika Christensen who isn't robotic or affected. Their characters aren't too perfect or have overblown flaws, and their chemistry is genuine and sweet while not exactly on fire. It is well filmed with lovely scenery, while the music isn't too constant or over-scored.
Enough of the writing is fun and light-hearted as well as charming and heartfelt. The story is very flawed, but doesn't take itself too seriously and doesn't treat the subject as too much of a joke. Did appreciate how it covered some very relevant and important issues, not many Hallmark films tackle prejudice/discrimination but 'Anything for Love' does and more than decently.
Concluding, decent if unexceptional. 6/10.
'Anything for Love' was not bad at all and actually quite enjoyed it. It is far from perfect and doesn't completely avoid the traps that the premise had, but it surprisingly did not turn out as over silly and unrealistic as it sounded on paper. As far as the 2016 Countdown to Valentine's Day films go, it is not on the same level as 'Valentine Ever After' but it is infinitely better than 'Dater's Handbook' (not that that is particularly hard, a film would have to be near irredeemable to be worse than that).
There are things that don't quite come off. The story is admittedly often very silly and some serious suspension of disbelief is needed. Especially in the contrived final act, where a lot of awkward and forced dialogue can be heard and where some characters are at their most frustrating in their vague and rash decision making.
Did find a few characters annoying and less than subtly played, particularly Reggie, and the ending was unpleasantly syrupy and far too neat (undeserved too). The story can be very predictable and can drag at times.
However, the acting is fine on the whole with very appealing performances from both Greene, amiable and subtly charismatic as ever, and Erika Christensen who isn't robotic or affected. Their characters aren't too perfect or have overblown flaws, and their chemistry is genuine and sweet while not exactly on fire. It is well filmed with lovely scenery, while the music isn't too constant or over-scored.
Enough of the writing is fun and light-hearted as well as charming and heartfelt. The story is very flawed, but doesn't take itself too seriously and doesn't treat the subject as too much of a joke. Did appreciate how it covered some very relevant and important issues, not many Hallmark films tackle prejudice/discrimination but 'Anything for Love' does and more than decently.
Concluding, decent if unexceptional. 6/10.
Entertaining
kkier3 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
First of all, there are women who like the status of being married to a doctor. So the premise of the movie isn't that far off-base. Second, there were good performances all around but especially by Paul Greene. He's such a skilled actor, his performances look effortless. And it doesn't hurt that he's also gorgeous!
My one objection was at the end when Katherine got on PA system and gushed on (and on and on). In the real world she would've been frog-marched out of there. It would've been less "icky" if she had poured her heart out to Jack when they embraced. Just sayin'...
My one objection was at the end when Katherine got on PA system and gushed on (and on and on). In the real world she would've been frog-marched out of there. It would've been less "icky" if she had poured her heart out to Jack when they embraced. Just sayin'...
Ridiculous plot at best....
jenrn-0972221 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This movie had a great start.... The executive who pretend to be a secretary to date someone who likes her for her and not her money... But then it's all downhill. Jack, our leading man, is a nurse - and he's ashamed to admit it. He takes abuse for being a "male nurse" for the first 20 minutes of the movie from every person he meets - including his patients - really?!? Did we somehow get transported back to the 1950's where nursing is considered "women's work"?!? Who wrote this drivel? Did any of the writers ever MEET a nurse? Nurses work harder than any man working in an office ever will. And a nurse may not make what a doctor makes, but it certainly isn't minimum wage... But everyone's attitude in this movie is a male nurse just isn't good enough. This is the dumbest thing I've seen from Hallmark yet. Then to make matters worse - Jack is afraid to tell the "secretary" he's dating that he's a nurse and not a doctor, worried she'll break things off. Her father - when he's in the hospital later in the movie - doesn't believe Jack is a male nurse, says it's a practical joke, then later asks him if his girlfriend "minds" that he's a nurse?! The ex-boyfriend tells Jack she'd be mortified to find out he's a nurse and not a doctor?! She finds out he's a nurse and she IS mortified?! Way to belittle an entire profession in the span of a single movie. She tells him she was just disappointed he lied to her - but with her reaction, the implication is even SHE thinks a nurse isn't good enough for a CEO. The movie tries to recover at the end with her epiphany that she is a snob and she tells her dad that "even if it doesn't look good on paper", she loves Jack. What?!? That doesn't even make sense. Because Jack's a nurse, he doesn't "look good on paper?!" I didn't expect this type of prejudice from Hallmark.
One of Hallmarks Best
MovieQween-336223 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I really loved this cute Hallmark movie. The story was different, the characters were more complex, it wasn't a ROYALS movie and no one was a wedding/event planner. I thought the story was creative. The movie highlights how we as humans can be vulnerable and reticent to share our entire selves with someone in fear of rejection. Erika Christien's character is worried about online dating as a strong, powerful, working woman who may seem intimidating to men. I love that the story addresses this! Also it discusses the counterpart; Paul Greene's character is a male nurse who thinks a woman wouldn't be interested unless he was a doctor. They both alter their online dating profiles and hide parts about themselves to seem more desirable and I think in some way, we can all relate to that. The heart of the story comes back to staying true to your self and embracing who you are and embraces others just as they are. It's not about what you don't have, it's about what you do have. Very sweet, endearing story.
the doctors need nurses, and males nurses too.They help, and support the patients, they make just fewer studies than the doctors it's all.
butterfly21-236-4566926 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
In the reality most women would say yes to a Rdv with a male nurse charming and sexy as Paul Greene. Those of the restaurant-bar were women interested by the money, and his friend Reggie would not have of to change his profile dating and put doctor instead.They are prejudices of the male chauvinist.
The movie could be most better a lot.
(It's very not realist, the handsome guy like Jack Cooper be a single man in the movie just because he is a male nurse)
I am the only one to find Charles acts weird by hiring a private detective to investigate into Jack personal life. it's a cliché, seriously!
A single good very important point Jack refusing the money offered by Charles.
The most realistic character and who changed best, is Mr Benson.
It's my first TV movie review in English.
The movie could be most better a lot.
(It's very not realist, the handsome guy like Jack Cooper be a single man in the movie just because he is a male nurse)
I am the only one to find Charles acts weird by hiring a private detective to investigate into Jack personal life. it's a cliché, seriously!
A single good very important point Jack refusing the money offered by Charles.
The most realistic character and who changed best, is Mr Benson.
It's my first TV movie review in English.
Paul Greene makes any movie watchable.
Racingphan221 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Let's not get bogged down in the debate about the importance of nurses. We all know how vital they are.
Paul Greene is the heart and soul of this movie. Erika Christensen is just there to add pretty.
I wished that Ali Liebert had a bigger role. She is one spicy firecracker!
And it's always great to see Tom Butler, one of the stars of the classic Miracle in Manhattan.
Screenplay is from 1979??
lnmilne-6411124 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Since when is a NURSE, a MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL, something to be ashamed of? It's not like he works for minimum wage at the effing car wash or 7-11. And who doesn't correct him when they meet to give her real name? The acting was fine but I cannot imagine what would have made the actors sign on for this laughable script. Just wow. And she had no reason not to break off things with mister sort-of boyfriend creeper dude before she started filling out an online dating profile.
Prejudice runs both ways
SunnyDaise23 March 2021
No matter who we are, we all experience prejudice. This movie covers issues I see a lot - sexism, agism, singleism, jobism, statusism and financialism. Yes not all those are proper words, but they should be because, as we see in the film, prejudice has a negative effect on all kinds of people. I really didn't enjoy the start and nearly gave up, but it is necessary in order for the middle to be so warm and the ending to work.
Offensive
rnintn11 October 2018
I've watched dozens of Hallmark movies but this was the first one that made me angry. It's 2016 and no one realizes that men can be nurses. The movie makes women look like shallow gold diggers. It refers to nurses as "less desirable" than physicians.
I gave three stars because the actors did the best they could with this offensive writing.
Love is Everything
pjdoroch15 May 2020
My wife Pamela and I enjoyed this film. Quirky, funny and strong characterisation. Would have thought the diners might have given it away. As well as a woodcutter's cabin.....Good watch in South Australia Corona Virus times. Look after those you love and be friendly to those you meet.
Lowering expectations
Prismark1019 February 2017
Anything for Love is the normal saccharine Hallmark rom-com made for Valentines Day but as always just a bit below average with Vancouver standing in for New York or any other major American city.
Katherine (Erika Christensen) has a top role in her father's company but most of her dates are intimidated by her high powered position. She has a half hearted relationship with her boyfriend. Her assistant suggests that she goes on a dating website and puts in her profile something less high flying such as an Executive Assistant.
Jack (Paul Greene) is happy as a hospital nurse but his best friend thinks this puts women off and changes his dating profile to that of a doctor.
Both Jack and Katherine are matched up to each other and get on very well when they date but the little lies they have made up about each other threatens to derail their relationship especially as Katherine's dad ends up in the same hospital where Jack works as a nurse and then Katherine boyfriend finds out that Jack is actually a nurse and might only be interested in Katherine for her money.
It is a sweet but inoffensive film with appealing leads but do not expect anything more.
Katherine (Erika Christensen) has a top role in her father's company but most of her dates are intimidated by her high powered position. She has a half hearted relationship with her boyfriend. Her assistant suggests that she goes on a dating website and puts in her profile something less high flying such as an Executive Assistant.
Jack (Paul Greene) is happy as a hospital nurse but his best friend thinks this puts women off and changes his dating profile to that of a doctor.
Both Jack and Katherine are matched up to each other and get on very well when they date but the little lies they have made up about each other threatens to derail their relationship especially as Katherine's dad ends up in the same hospital where Jack works as a nurse and then Katherine boyfriend finds out that Jack is actually a nurse and might only be interested in Katherine for her money.
It is a sweet but inoffensive film with appealing leads but do not expect anything more.
I loved this movie
jewhitmer2514 July 2021
Erica Christensen as Katherine and Paul Greene as Jack Cooper were incredible together, the chemistry really works. This is first movie I have seen with Erica Christensen in it but Paul Greene always shines.
This plot was interesting it moved along at a brisk pace. The music did not overpower the movie.
No complaints here, everything was good. Roxie the dog did a great job too, her character development was spot on, great job of portraying a dog Roxie.
My advice: I highly recommend this movie,
This plot was interesting it moved along at a brisk pace. The music did not overpower the movie.
No complaints here, everything was good. Roxie the dog did a great job too, her character development was spot on, great job of portraying a dog Roxie.
My advice: I highly recommend this movie,
dull mismatch
hilary_mae-912-8056128 May 2017
No point saying too much given that the previous commenter practically told the entire tale, but it is dull. Typical for Hallmark to make successful business women unsuccessful in love and it takes someone of lower social standing (no offence to nurses) to make her a "real woman". All of that makes for the typical Christian driven hallmark garbage.
The other absurdity is sending the message that women are shallow and stupid, and won't want to date male nurses. Seriously, who writes all this rubbish?
No chemistry between the actors for the "romantic" couple. Everyone comes off contrived, fake and stiff. I couldn't stomach it so I fast forwarded to the end, put up with the ridiculous drippy syrup ending between two actors who are mismatched. Gag gag gag.
The other absurdity is sending the message that women are shallow and stupid, and won't want to date male nurses. Seriously, who writes all this rubbish?
No chemistry between the actors for the "romantic" couple. Everyone comes off contrived, fake and stiff. I couldn't stomach it so I fast forwarded to the end, put up with the ridiculous drippy syrup ending between two actors who are mismatched. Gag gag gag.
This movie works
BurberryGal4 January 2019
Seriously?
Bill_McNeal23 February 2020
Anything for Love
studioAT16 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, it does seem a bit outdated that in 2016 people still felt it was odd that a guy could be a Nurse BUT, that aside this is a great Hallmark film.
For me, two things make a good Hallmark film - whether the leads have chemistry, and also whether the story holds up.
This one ticks both the boxes, and provided a nice bit of entertainment.
I thought Erika Christensen did well conveying both sides to her character also.
Good stuff.
For me, two things make a good Hallmark film - whether the leads have chemistry, and also whether the story holds up.
This one ticks both the boxes, and provided a nice bit of entertainment.
I thought Erika Christensen did well conveying both sides to her character also.
Good stuff.
Anything but chemistry
ccali-5145225 February 2020
Great acting. Very cute. Reminder not to judge by a title.
mccabe-shannon28 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Every time I say I'm just going to write a normal review and every time I air my grievances haha so here goes
I like these 2 together. I wish she did more Hallmark movies. I have always loved her.
I really enjoyed the movie overall. The acting is really good. There are good lessons that are well done. The characters and their journeys mirror each other.
- she has lived in Chicago her whole life and has never been to Wisconsin? Lake Geneva is less than 2 hours from Chicago. Or Milwaukee? Never had to go for a deal? A weekend with friends when you're young? My family never went anywhere we had to drive, but I went a few times growing up somewhere nearby.
- obviously not filmed in Chicago, but we are used to that by now
- typically in Hallmark movies there is the asshole boyfriend and then they fall die the nice guy and don't do anything about it until they breakup. Here she blantantly starts dating someone else while she is with the asshole. And not by happenstance she goes on a dating site.
- a man that rich wouldn't be at a hospital like that. They shoulda just used a fancy downtown building for the outside instead of what they used.
- others have mentioned that by now we know there are male nurses. That is true, but the dad would totally same something. I still hear people say things like wow I had a male nurse. Stupid yes. But isn't it equally stupid women still play down their powerful jobs? That's kinda the point.
I like these 2 together. I wish she did more Hallmark movies. I have always loved her.
I really enjoyed the movie overall. The acting is really good. There are good lessons that are well done. The characters and their journeys mirror each other.
Delusional love story and fairytale completely out of reality
mihaisorinp22 December 2023
Who on earth it is imagining that a mighty CEO and owner of a multimillion or maybe multibillion company is falling for a nobody male nurse in a hospital. The plot is so unrealistical that it makes me lough. The guy is a joke, he's a nobody interested in love not cash so to say.
I know there is a specific group of people that are targeted with this plot but it is going way to far and create expectations and delusions beyond any reality. It is helping maybe average people to feel ok and hope that can get in love beyond any material profit but this should be somehow made realistical, the plot is just pure fantesy.
I know there is a specific group of people that are targeted with this plot but it is going way to far and create expectations and delusions beyond any reality. It is helping maybe average people to feel ok and hope that can get in love beyond any material profit but this should be somehow made realistical, the plot is just pure fantesy.
Good movie to enjoy
xmsstn11 February 2023
This is a good movie more on that later. My nitpick is not with the movie but some of the reviews that say being a nurse is nothing to he ashamed of and at no point is he ashamed of being a nurse. His friend is the one who lied which fed the plot.
The point in the movie is that women given a choice prefer a doctor who makes at least 5 times what a nurse makes there is a scene with a balding doctor with giggling women to show the point. And men generally prefer women who are below them financially and work wise so she plays down her abilities. Or they use them to climb the social and corporate ladder
Now the movie it's hallmark acting and plot are ok and reasonably predictable they however make you feel good. Plot points errors etc get over it, these are fictional stories don't over analyse just enjoy.
The point in the movie is that women given a choice prefer a doctor who makes at least 5 times what a nurse makes there is a scene with a balding doctor with giggling women to show the point. And men generally prefer women who are below them financially and work wise so she plays down her abilities. Or they use them to climb the social and corporate ladder
Now the movie it's hallmark acting and plot are ok and reasonably predictable they however make you feel good. Plot points errors etc get over it, these are fictional stories don't over analyse just enjoy.
Lies
Jackbv12315 February 2024
The stories based on one of the leads hiding a significant truth from the other is always hard for me. Should it be doubly so if both do? The viewer knows at least one thing that is going to happen and that is that at least one of the lies is going to come out at an awkward time. There are couple of interesting things that go along with how the truth comes out here and they involve the dad and the wannabe boyfriend and business associate. As far as I was concerned, Kate was far too forgiving of Charles. The fact that she and dad both overlooked it shows that these rich people really are snobs and doesn't bode well for Jack's long term relationship with either.
Erika Christensen and Paul Greene had a nice chemistry. On the other hand Christensen didn't play Kate tough enough to be a CEO of a large corporation, but then everything about her approach to the situation with Debbie bossing her around was just as unlikely. I also thought that the excuses for both Jack and Kate putting off the truth grew more lame as time went on.
Erika Christensen and Paul Greene had a nice chemistry. On the other hand Christensen didn't play Kate tough enough to be a CEO of a large corporation, but then everything about her approach to the situation with Debbie bossing her around was just as unlikely. I also thought that the excuses for both Jack and Kate putting off the truth grew more lame as time went on.
One of my all-time favorite non-Christmas Hallmark films!
saino200127 July 2023
This is one of those rare Hallmark films that I've actually enjoyed watching over and over again! The story is a good one, and the casting is EXCELLENT! Erika Christensen is wonderful playing uptight CEO Katherine Benson, a businesswoman who is way too wrapped-up in corporate affairs to have a dating life. Meanwhile, Paul Greene is perfect as an all-around likeable male nurse named Jack Cooper. The two become acquainted after meeting on a computer dating web-site. Also exceptionally well-cast are Jack's best friend Reggie (Patrick Gilmore) who works as a hospital orderly, and Katherine's pretty secretary Debbie (Ali Liebert). While most Hallmark films are overly predictable, this one does an enjoyable job of moving the plot forward in a believable way that only makes you like the characters more as it progresses. I really enjoyed watching this one!
An unlikely relationship
MickyG33328 February 2023
8.2 stars.
A female CEO is tired of being in a mediocre relationship with a shallow rich man, and her assistant persuades her to try online dating. A male nurse is likewise tired of his desolate love life and he joins the same dating site. They are matched, however it's under false pretenses as both are feigning to be someone else. Is this couple doomed before they meet?
This is an adventure of two people from different worlds forming an unlikely connection and having a strong mutual attraction. It's a bumpy road and some powerful people are working to sabotage them at every opportunity. Now that they are falling in love, will their relationship be stopped dead in its tracks, or are they destined to be together forever?
This is a wonderful and immensely enjoyable love story between two appealing actors. The chemistry is out of this world, and there is nothing we desire more than for them to be the right fit for each other. "Anything for Love" is a must see romance start to finish, and there is not a dull moment.
This is on my yearly watchlist, although at this point my list is becoming too long.
A female CEO is tired of being in a mediocre relationship with a shallow rich man, and her assistant persuades her to try online dating. A male nurse is likewise tired of his desolate love life and he joins the same dating site. They are matched, however it's under false pretenses as both are feigning to be someone else. Is this couple doomed before they meet?
This is an adventure of two people from different worlds forming an unlikely connection and having a strong mutual attraction. It's a bumpy road and some powerful people are working to sabotage them at every opportunity. Now that they are falling in love, will their relationship be stopped dead in its tracks, or are they destined to be together forever?
This is a wonderful and immensely enjoyable love story between two appealing actors. The chemistry is out of this world, and there is nothing we desire more than for them to be the right fit for each other. "Anything for Love" is a must see romance start to finish, and there is not a dull moment.
This is on my yearly watchlist, although at this point my list is becoming too long.
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