A Safari Romance movie review

MOVIE TITLE: A Safari Romance

This romantic comedy movie is now available on Hallmark Channel.

RATING: TV-G

LENGTH: 1 hour 30 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B+

IN A NUTSHELL:

Megan Henry, a down-to-earth wildlife researcher in Africa, is forced to team up with a theme-park designer, Tim Ericson who wants to create an over-the-top safari attraction.

The film was directed by Leif Bristow, and written by his wife, Agnes Bristow. Their daughter, Brittany Bristow, is the leading lady in the movie! Her parents should be so proud of her; she’s a natural. Congratulations to the family!

THINGS I LIKED:

The featured couple look great together and are played by Brittany Bristow and Andrew W. Walker. Calm down ladies…he’s already married with a child.
We get to see a lot of beautiful animals in their natural habitat, especially the rare white lion.
We also get to experience South Africa and its culture, music, clothing, food, and life. In addition to the Game Reserve, we get to go to an African elementary school and a local market. It all looks magical.
The movie was filmed at Mabula Game Lodge at Rooiberg Road Rhinosterhoek Spruit in Mabula Private Game Reserve in the Limpopo Province. I’d love to go there someday! Doing an African Safari has been on my Bucket List for a long time!
The native handshake was fun.
Simone Pretorius makes a great “villain.”
It’s refreshing to see a romance where the couple does NOT jump into bed immediately. This love story is clean and sweet.
It’s also really nice to see an intelligent woman who is willing to work hard on her goals and not instantly give up her dreams just to be with a guy. Women who do that are often resentful in the end.
We get two romances, not just one.
A lot of life’s challenges have to do with timing. While it’s not super dramatic, that’s the hero’s journey in this story. In that regard, it’s pretty realistic.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Some people may not like how sugary-sweet everyone is. Wouldn’t this be a better world if everyone was kind like this?

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids will be bored by the romance, but they’ll enjoy seeing the animals.
No profanity
Alcohol is consumed several times (but no one gets drunk)

THEMES:

Capitalism
Ethology (the scientific study of animal behavior)
Wild animals and conservation
Respecting animal life
Being open to love
Honesty
Making room for those you love

FUNNY LINES:

“We better get going so we can see the giraffes; they’re expecting us.” – Megan Henry (Brittany Bristow)
“That is so yesterday.” – Megan Henry (Brittany Bristow)

INTERESTING LINES:

“Work isn’t the only important thing in life.” – Kamara (Samke Makhoba)
“Maybe we just work so much because we haven’t found the right person yet.” – Tim Ericson (Andrew W. Walker)
“I think most people change over time.” – Tim Ericson (Andrew W. Walker)
“It’s impossible for things to stay the same.” – Tim Ericson (Andrew W. Walker)
“Follow your heart. It will take you where you need to go.” – Nozizwe (Nthati Moshesh)
“There’s a lesson in everything that happens in life.” – Megan Henry (Brittany Bristow)