MOVIE REVIEW
The Makeover
"Hallmark Hall of Fame"
Starring Julia Stiles and David Walton.
*Premieres on Local Station!
Network: ABC
Original Air Date: January 27, 2013
CAST:
Julia Stiles ... Hannah Higgins
David Walton ... Elliot Doolittle
Camryn Manheim ... Colleen Pickering
Frances Fisher ... Allie
Georgia Lyman ... Bonnie
Tony “Tony V” Viveiros ... Frank
Nada Despotovich ... Wilma
Maureen Keiller ... Vivian
Bill Mootos ... Wade Bradbury
Lonnie Farmer ... Humphrey Rossdale
Albert Chan ... Pearce
PLOT:
Hannah Higgins (Julia Stiles) is a smart, driven education consultant. She's so driven she runs for Congress to advance the cause of education reform. Hannah's a disaster of a candidate, though—her cold, elitist persona alienates Boston voters big-time.
Hannah and her business partner, Colleen Pickering (Camryn Manheim), don't give up easily. Next time 'round, they recruit a candidate who definitely is a people person. Elliot Doolittle (David Walton) describes himself rather grandly as a "beer vendor." Translation: he drives a truck and keeps Boston's watering holes well supplied with the frothy stuff.
Elliot—whose thick South Boston accent masks his intelligence—is a diamond-in-the-rough. He's the opposite of prim-and-proper Hannah Higgins, but his total lack of pretension and his obvious people skills allow him to connect instantly with anybody and everybody.
Hannah takes Elliot on as a "project." If she can just teach him to speak like a gentleman, dress like a gentleman, comport himself like a gentleman…why, he might become a gentleman—a gentleman who can run for Congress and win, and then help promote the cause that Hannah holds dear.
Elliot and Hannah are about as oil-and-water as any two people can be. But, as Elliot becomes more "presentable" and Hannah becomes a little less high-falutin', could this be a match made—maybe not in Heaven, but—in Boston?
Movie Review:
The Makeover was a do-over of the movie My Fair Lady with some role reversals. My Fair Lady stars Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Dolittle, but this time around it was actor David Walton as Elliott Dolittle. Henry Higgins became Hannah Higgins (Julia Stiles) this time around and even Colonel Pickering was updated to a female role of Colleen Pickering (Cameron Manheim).
The Makeover used the same “My Fair Lady” format of transforming someone from the lower class of society to a higher class.
On the night that Hannah Higgins looses her bid for Congress, she meets beer vendor Elliott Dolittle and proceeds to belittle him and his improper speech and Boston accent. In spite of that, he humbles himself and comes to her days later seeking her help with improving his speech so he can get a better job through his company.
Hannah again belittles him and turns him away... but as she watches him outside the window and sees how he easily interacts with the people of the community – Hannah develops the idea of giving Elliott a Makeover, teaching him how to properly speak, and run his campaign for Congress.
Is the movie a little far-fetched? Yes. Elliott’s character grows and changes so drastically in appearance and behavior, while Hannah remains mainly just as professional and stiff, as she started. It’s obvious she sees herself as being superior to Elliott and his rough around the edges Sister and money-grubbing Mother – who Hannah tries to pay off.
(SPOILER ALERT)
In the end, Elliott loses his race for Congress, and Hannah goes into a tirade - privately joking with Colleen as to how they can rid themselves of Elliott. Again, she puts him and where he comes from down. This scene revealed to me Hannah’s true superior character and I found no redeeming changing qualities in her throughout the movie. Elliott is way too giving and even forgives her. I personally didn’t see the chemistry between their characters – though they do kiss at the end. To me, too much time was given on failing campaigns instead of developing their characters more fully.
(END of SPOILER)
All in all... it is a decent movie with no violence, one kiss, and no language, that I recall.
To me... it was one of those movies that leaves no lasting impression, except that it copies another classic beloved film, My Fair Lady, which can never be replaced.
In the end, I do suppose... love conquers all.
See or Skip:
See, if you enjoy seeing all of the Hallmark Hall of Fame Movies.
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*Images and Movie Details via : Hallmark Hall of Fame
