19 reviews
'Guiding Emily' is a film that will resonate with anyone who has completely or partially lost their sight, or someone having to deal with a loved one losing their sight.
Sarah Drew stars as the adventurous Emily, who loses her sight after a hiking accident. Her fiancée Connor (Toby Levins) is comforting and supportive at first, but when he realizes he would have to adapt to an entirely different lifestyle with a blind woman as his wife - and having received a job offer he can't refuse - Connor has second thoughts. This and the fact Emily now needs guidance, leaves her distraught.
But 'Guiding Emily' isn't a somber, pity movie. It is uplifting, and there are many funny moments. Many of these humorist moments are provided by the absolutely adorable dog, Garth - a Labrador guide dog. Much of the film is also told from the dog's perspective.
The film proves just how easy it is for sighted people to take sight for granted. After all, our eyes are the windows to the world. And we so seldom even consider the possibility of vision being taken away from us in a matter of seconds. With the loss of one sense, though, the other senses become more dominant - such as the sense of smell and touch.
'Guiding Emily' is a feel-good movie with good performances and a good script. It never gets too emotional and despite a few dramatic moments here and there, it remains lighthearted enough throughout so you don't need a box of tissues. Then again, Garth's cuteness might also stir happy emotion, so yeah, maybe its best to keep those tissues handy!!
The film also teaches us not to be too depressed when things go wrong. Sometimes things happen for a reason, and just maybe fate has a funny way of showing you the way to a better life...
Sarah Drew stars as the adventurous Emily, who loses her sight after a hiking accident. Her fiancée Connor (Toby Levins) is comforting and supportive at first, but when he realizes he would have to adapt to an entirely different lifestyle with a blind woman as his wife - and having received a job offer he can't refuse - Connor has second thoughts. This and the fact Emily now needs guidance, leaves her distraught.
But 'Guiding Emily' isn't a somber, pity movie. It is uplifting, and there are many funny moments. Many of these humorist moments are provided by the absolutely adorable dog, Garth - a Labrador guide dog. Much of the film is also told from the dog's perspective.
The film proves just how easy it is for sighted people to take sight for granted. After all, our eyes are the windows to the world. And we so seldom even consider the possibility of vision being taken away from us in a matter of seconds. With the loss of one sense, though, the other senses become more dominant - such as the sense of smell and touch.
'Guiding Emily' is a feel-good movie with good performances and a good script. It never gets too emotional and despite a few dramatic moments here and there, it remains lighthearted enough throughout so you don't need a box of tissues. Then again, Garth's cuteness might also stir happy emotion, so yeah, maybe its best to keep those tissues handy!!
The film also teaches us not to be too depressed when things go wrong. Sometimes things happen for a reason, and just maybe fate has a funny way of showing you the way to a better life...
- paulclaassen
- Sep 17, 2023
- Permalink
Firstly there's a dog in this film.
Secondly Sarah and Antonio are wonderful together. To be fair I like both actors anyway but in this I Felt their friendship immediately and willed their romance on from the beginning. It's a sweet sweet tale, a decent offering from Hallmark after quite few recent duds. Made me feel happy start to finish and actually could have done with being a bit longer. A few mentions: Matty Finochio and Peter Benson were great in their roles as support actors also.
Thirdly in case I hadn't made it clear there's a dog in this film. Not enough of him but still enough to make me smile.
Secondly Sarah and Antonio are wonderful together. To be fair I like both actors anyway but in this I Felt their friendship immediately and willed their romance on from the beginning. It's a sweet sweet tale, a decent offering from Hallmark after quite few recent duds. Made me feel happy start to finish and actually could have done with being a bit longer. A few mentions: Matty Finochio and Peter Benson were great in their roles as support actors also.
Thirdly in case I hadn't made it clear there's a dog in this film. Not enough of him but still enough to make me smile.
- ssimeonidou1
- Sep 10, 2023
- Permalink
It might be helpful to know from the start that this is a movie where we hear the dog's thoughts. It's done well. This dog, Garth, is drawn to Emily immediately when he meets her while still a puppy long before he is trained.
The story of Emily and Garth's journey together does not fill as much of the movie as I expected.
Sarah Drew! This is another Hallmark movie where she so dominates the story. There is a man-woman romance (as different from woman-dog romance), but it really wasn't the main story. The story is about Emily being knocked down, giving up, and the getting back up again thanks to friends who verbally knocked some sense into her. It is a great story which is only made better by Drew. She is always so expressive and energetic.
The story of Emily and Garth's journey together does not fill as much of the movie as I expected.
Sarah Drew! This is another Hallmark movie where she so dominates the story. There is a man-woman romance (as different from woman-dog romance), but it really wasn't the main story. The story is about Emily being knocked down, giving up, and the getting back up again thanks to friends who verbally knocked some sense into her. It is a great story which is only made better by Drew. She is always so expressive and energetic.
I have seen just about every Hallmark movie that was released since 2012. I had to do chemo two years ago and watched them all during my down time. I have opinions on them all and a list of the ones I really like.
I love the new path Hallmark has taken. The movies are no longer cookie cutter plots with different actors. Instead they have great writers giving us fun and unique stories.
Guiding Emily was a pleasant surprise. It's very well written and the actors hit it out of the park. I could feel her fear when the bandages were removed. I felt the hopelessness and loss with her. It is one of the best I've seen lately. The completely original storyline pulls you in and you feel emotionally connected and invested in characters. Of course it is a feel good romance but the journey was everything from tragic and heartbreaking to uplifting and fun. I loved the dog, Garth. I don't usually like when movies give animals human traits but I liked this a lot. I learned a lot about the difficulties of being blind too. The bathroom scene was painful to watch. I really enjoyed the romance that slowly grew and felt real and not rushed or forced. Well done everyone!
I love the new path Hallmark has taken. The movies are no longer cookie cutter plots with different actors. Instead they have great writers giving us fun and unique stories.
Guiding Emily was a pleasant surprise. It's very well written and the actors hit it out of the park. I could feel her fear when the bandages were removed. I felt the hopelessness and loss with her. It is one of the best I've seen lately. The completely original storyline pulls you in and you feel emotionally connected and invested in characters. Of course it is a feel good romance but the journey was everything from tragic and heartbreaking to uplifting and fun. I loved the dog, Garth. I don't usually like when movies give animals human traits but I liked this a lot. I learned a lot about the difficulties of being blind too. The bathroom scene was painful to watch. I really enjoyed the romance that slowly grew and felt real and not rushed or forced. Well done everyone!
- birgitta-07966
- Oct 1, 2023
- Permalink
This is a story of a healthy, energetic, athletic business woman who loses her sight and what happens afterwards that brings back joy to her life.
I saw the adds on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, and wanted to watch this movie. I expected that it would be uplifting, and it was. I expected there would be a love story, and there were several.
After I watched the movie, I was surprised to see that Eric McCormack ( Will from Will & Grace ) was listed as starring in it. I did not remember seeing him in it at all, and used a lot of time trying to figure out which face was his. Perhaps you will figure out right away.
I spent the beginning of the movies nervous because I didn't know when she would lose her sight, and how it would happen. Once that part was over, I could enjoy the movie.
Sarah Drew did a great job of portraying Emily. Emily is a very likeable character, and we can empathize as she goes through the trauma of losing her sight and having her world change forever.
Toby Levins is very good as Emily's fiancee Conner. He is very business focused too, and loves Emily. He tries to cope with her new reality, and be helpful and supportive. Like a real human, Conner makes some big mistakes that make the story more realistic and interesting.
The friends and co-works of Emily are a big part of the story. Everyone should have caring people like them in their lives.
About the dog... this is a separate but intertwined story. It is a bit Disney, and surprising, and fun.
The love stories... Love between Emily and her friends and coworkers, the dog's love of food and learning and Emily, a little romance...
Watch it and find out.
I saw the adds on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, and wanted to watch this movie. I expected that it would be uplifting, and it was. I expected there would be a love story, and there were several.
After I watched the movie, I was surprised to see that Eric McCormack ( Will from Will & Grace ) was listed as starring in it. I did not remember seeing him in it at all, and used a lot of time trying to figure out which face was his. Perhaps you will figure out right away.
I spent the beginning of the movies nervous because I didn't know when she would lose her sight, and how it would happen. Once that part was over, I could enjoy the movie.
Sarah Drew did a great job of portraying Emily. Emily is a very likeable character, and we can empathize as she goes through the trauma of losing her sight and having her world change forever.
Toby Levins is very good as Emily's fiancee Conner. He is very business focused too, and loves Emily. He tries to cope with her new reality, and be helpful and supportive. Like a real human, Conner makes some big mistakes that make the story more realistic and interesting.
The friends and co-works of Emily are a big part of the story. Everyone should have caring people like them in their lives.
About the dog... this is a separate but intertwined story. It is a bit Disney, and surprising, and fun.
The love stories... Love between Emily and her friends and coworkers, the dog's love of food and learning and Emily, a little romance...
Watch it and find out.
First, a note of surprise... Hallmark must have had a change of creative management recently as suddenly their movies are way more original, creative, fun and believable than so much of what they have produced in the past. This is perhaps the third totally enjoyable movie of theirs I have seen lately.
In Guiding Emily - first a huge kudo to the acting, especially Sarah Drew. Her acting is superb and she goes through every emotion in the book in this movie. Not just Sarah Drew but every actor did a superb and believable job.
Second, while the story could have been a tear-jerker and way dramatic, Hallmark kept this to a minimum and instead focused on Emily's development after becoming blind. And, interweaving the story of Emily along with the story of the dog from a puppy up to adult size was brilliant.
Hallmark, please provide more entertainment like this and will someone please give Sarah Drew an Emmy or similar award for her work on this.
In Guiding Emily - first a huge kudo to the acting, especially Sarah Drew. Her acting is superb and she goes through every emotion in the book in this movie. Not just Sarah Drew but every actor did a superb and believable job.
Second, while the story could have been a tear-jerker and way dramatic, Hallmark kept this to a minimum and instead focused on Emily's development after becoming blind. And, interweaving the story of Emily along with the story of the dog from a puppy up to adult size was brilliant.
Hallmark, please provide more entertainment like this and will someone please give Sarah Drew an Emmy or similar award for her work on this.
- cincy-47983
- Sep 27, 2023
- Permalink
Haven't known too many blind people & although Emily was recently blinded,how she acted from eye movements & so forth was poorly executed or seemed quickly adaptive..
Feel this wasn't so much,an acting versus directing issue.
Also how people treated her,what she learned & all that seemed again farfetched.. Even the guide dog training was beyond simplistic,yes it's a movie but keep it somewhat real.
A typical Hallmark movie,full of clichés & plotholes.
Was a bit disappointed in the fact,considering.. the business owner didn't remember meeting Emily & obviously,further confirmed Garth was hers all along.
The acting to actors chosen was ok,cinematography as always decent & music didn't overwhelm anything spoken.
Although did enjoy this,it was sugar-coated & almost romanticized Emily's issues.
The boyfriend/fiancée-Can't even remember his significance to her,as he bailed the minute things weren't easy.
Worth checking out once,as not an overall typical scenario like saving a festival.
Also how people treated her,what she learned & all that seemed again farfetched.. Even the guide dog training was beyond simplistic,yes it's a movie but keep it somewhat real.
A typical Hallmark movie,full of clichés & plotholes.
Was a bit disappointed in the fact,considering.. the business owner didn't remember meeting Emily & obviously,further confirmed Garth was hers all along.
The acting to actors chosen was ok,cinematography as always decent & music didn't overwhelm anything spoken.
Although did enjoy this,it was sugar-coated & almost romanticized Emily's issues.
The boyfriend/fiancée-Can't even remember his significance to her,as he bailed the minute things weren't easy.
Worth checking out once,as not an overall typical scenario like saving a festival.
- agarone-51835
- Sep 17, 2023
- Permalink
I knew with Sarah Drew, this movie would not disappoint.
This was such a lovely movie and done so, so well.
The chemistry between Sarah and her male counterparts was fabulous all around.
Outstanding performances by all - truly.
It felt well developed and wasn't corny like many tv movies. This definitely felt levelled up.
I'm keeping this one on my PVR as I'll definitely be watching again.
(Keep the Kleenex close... I needed it multiple times.)
Having a family member losing their sight, this movie was definitely a tear jerker but also showed me how much those with sight limitations can do.
This was such a lovely movie and done so, so well.
The chemistry between Sarah and her male counterparts was fabulous all around.
Outstanding performances by all - truly.
It felt well developed and wasn't corny like many tv movies. This definitely felt levelled up.
I'm keeping this one on my PVR as I'll definitely be watching again.
(Keep the Kleenex close... I needed it multiple times.)
Having a family member losing their sight, this movie was definitely a tear jerker but also showed me how much those with sight limitations can do.
- jenn_caukwell
- Jan 5, 2024
- Permalink
- sysgoddess
- Sep 8, 2023
- Permalink
- tuffybellsmom
- Nov 1, 2023
- Permalink
- frankjmonaco-44745
- Sep 17, 2023
- Permalink
Love movies where the dogs can talk!
If this one doesn't have you crying halfway through, you have no heart.
Garth, the dog, and Emily are meant to be together. But first he must go through rigorous training and be tested.
Emily lost her eyesight and she is being tested too. Her friend and her lover leave her because of her accident (that he caused) she wants to quit her job. She wants to quit life.
But her friends from work, her neighbors, and her friends, friends help her through a horrible transition.
Very well written, and well acted story. Worth your time. Specially, if you like dogs.
If this one doesn't have you crying halfway through, you have no heart.
Garth, the dog, and Emily are meant to be together. But first he must go through rigorous training and be tested.
Emily lost her eyesight and she is being tested too. Her friend and her lover leave her because of her accident (that he caused) she wants to quit her job. She wants to quit life.
But her friends from work, her neighbors, and her friends, friends help her through a horrible transition.
Very well written, and well acted story. Worth your time. Specially, if you like dogs.
I was so looking forward to this movie. The idea and the plot sounded great. Unfortunately the actors had not done their job as an actor. I bet they haven't
even researched how to be blind or even talked to a blind person. I have seen better actors acting blind. And on a probably lower budget than this movie. It was not believble. The storyline to the dog was horrible too. Oweral the producer or the script also had bad lines. With a 7.8 on IMDb I thought this would be better. But it just shows how much People really don't know about blind people or service dogs.
But hey. If you love gullible love cliché who overact love. With a simple dog to give extra points to the movie. Then yeah. This movie is for you.
But hey. If you love gullible love cliché who overact love. With a simple dog to give extra points to the movie. Then yeah. This movie is for you.
With all the blind and sight challenged actresses out there you had to cast a millionaire to play the role in a made for tv movie? It's time to start hiring actors and actresses that actually have the physical challenges of the roles they are playing. Sarah Drew did not play this part well as you could tell she was looking at things throughout the entire movie. The puppy in this movie was absolutely adorable and almost made it worth it but until we start making the change and hiring appropriate actors and actresses for the roles they are playing Hollywood is failing enormously. Do better Hollywood, do better.
- kerris-95719
- May 12, 2024
- Permalink