Following both the death of her father-in-law and a divorce, Jesse, a New Yorker, returns to a small town to live with her now widowed mother-in-law. Jesse struggles to fit in with the local townsfolk who don’t welcome her with open arms to say the least. Jesse becomes acquainted with the local pastor, her widowed brother-in-law, falling in love with him, much to the dismay of the community. Things get even more complicated when her ex-husband comes calling, suspiciously trying to win her back. Between her love life and entangled in-laws, Jesse is tested as she seeks the answer to where she truly belongs.

For an interview with Marilu Henner: http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/66576/20160916/in-lawfully-yours-actress-marilu-henner-discusses-new-faith-based-romantic-comedy.htm

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL0Y68422Gw

Take-away concept:  the importance of embracing everyone – no matter where they are on their (faith) journey.

This one popped up on my Netflix queue yesterday as I was having a hermit day (solo parenting 4 kids is no joke, peeps). I do like Henner’s work, and think she’s really funny as an actress, and her performance didn’t disappoint. I’d never seen some of the other actors (clearly I stopped with the Grey’s Anatomy too early) but they also seemed well cast. I particularly liked Erin Muroski as Daphne.

Three quarters of this movie is good, bordering on great. Some of Jessie’s dialogue definitely made me smile. My only issue is the ending – it was too neat & I didn’t feel that the baddies got their comeuppance. I guess as a book it would work better – SPOILER ALERT – you’d understand why Ben felt it was time to move on, and why Doris is so judgemental but I guess that is one reflection of how some Christians are.

Don’t look to this movie to answer any of the big questions but it’s one to relax with & safe for the younger tween/teen girls who look for a rom-com.

3 ½ stars (out of 5).