User Reviews

I enjoyed this story and I liked the way the characters revealed themselves. The husband and wife team have starred in several Hallmark movies which I liked and with this movie I was far from disappointed. There was at least one review that lambasted the male lead. My take is that he did a very credible job and his voice was solid too.

Was ok but they need to shop casting together is getting annoying and for be married they don't show that bond, chemistry between. Maybe because is a Hallmark or because they are extra religious, plus how they going to grow as a actors if they don't mingle, you can't not play save.

I don't know why people are bashing the actors. I think some of the comments were just rude. I think the acting was good. Then someone made a negative statement about them being "extra religious" as if this has anything to do with their acting. This was a good movie. I enjoyed the acting, the chemistry between the leads, the Latino influence and the story line. I really like Alexa and Carlos PenaVega together in movies. The grandmother was great. I am thankful for movies that are clean and family oriented.

Unlike other reviewers, I thought this was a sweet story and I enjoyed watching it. All of the main actors seemed to be enjoying themselves. I especially enjoyed the dancing Abuela. The film has a light humorous aspect. I thought that the married in real-life couple did a good job of showing their deep friendship and love for each other.

Was hoping for more from this one since it was based on a true story but it was sadly lacking. It took two tries to get through it. Boring doesn't begin to describe it. Had a few good scenes, but not enough to hold my interest. Your life won't be incomplete if you miss this one.

We appreciated that this was a different movie than normal on this channel. We thought the music was pretty good and that the chemistry was just fine between the leads.

I was looking forward to watching this. It is seriously a big miss. I enjoyed their movies on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, they worked well together and were entertaining to watch. This entre was awful.

Not only did they both look like they were rid and put away wet, they both acted like they were in a bad high school play. Mrs. Penavega reminded me of a mindless air head and Mr. Penavega is not a singer. He is a decent guitar player. Frankly, they should stick to dancing. This Hallmark presentation is among one of the most boring movies they have ever made. Honestly, after the first 15 minutes, I was ready to delete it. I did watch the whole thing and then deleted it. At least it was new, if a dull though recycled plot.

This married couple knows how to play to each others' strengths and personalities. Lovely chemistry with a sometimes comedic element. A sweet movie that's a breathe of fresh air compared to a lot of movies that are out now, including Hallmark. The entire cast is strong and work well together. The best friend and the Grandma were both highlights. Have missed Alexa, always enjoy her movies.

She's talented & he's not,sadly her acting seems affected by that fact.

With that said feel he only gets work,riding on the coat ends of her career.. Probably why it seems they only work together,instead of with other actors more.

Considering they are married & should have chemistry,he can't manage making us believe that either.. Again,isn't a good actor.

Hallmark please stop casting,these two(especially as leads)in things with one another.

If someone can sing,dance or play an instrument incorporate that,as a background character but stop giving main roles not deserved.. Similar to casting an actor who can't do these things & ruins a show,faking their way badly through it.

Although inspired on a real story & won't invalidate that aspect,still.. How the movie was presented was average & typical,in Hallmark fashion.

Cinematography is always decent,but rest needs work so won't be watching it again.

An excellent movie with perfect actors. He exceeded all my expectations. Hallmark has quality movies, but this is next level. Not a single scene is boring, there is no feeling that this is just an old cliché with new actors. Alexa and Carlos PenaVega brought a special magic. Their energy and mutual interaction make this movie a special pleasure. The love they feel for acting is visible in every scene. Their every movement and every sentence reveals how much they love their job and how much they enjoy it. In short, excellent actors who excelled this time as well.

Alexa PenaVega's character is so unlikeable, rigid and boring - how could the male lead even find any connection with her. I wouldn't have liked her as a friend or colleague. Zero chemistry right up to the end. The movie quality at Hallmark has really deteriorated of late - sad - Fresh single blood is needed and a younger cast - not people who act old, kinda like conservative parents and so immature when they are meant to be romantic leads.

I've had a solid Hallmark viewership, especially over the last 10 years or so. While there are some pretty cringeworthy acting on some films and/or writing, I actually really enjoyed this film. Though I am generally more partial to the Movies and Mysteries channel, this was a cute little romantic movie with a unique storyline compared to other films. Having also watched some of Hallmark's other more recent films like "a splash of love" in which the overacting literally had me cringing out loud, compared to films like that, I found this refreshing. I have no idea what some of the reviewers may be comparing this film to in their negative reviews on the acting. I felt the acting was very good. Was it as outgoing with budding chemistry like these two actors had on the film "Love at Sea" maybe not, but I think this actually goes to show their acting prowess. Instead of generally more lighthearted characters finding love, this movie showcases two individuals whom have have faced pain, heartache, and different life experiences that may have left them more closed off. I also am highly surprised and confused to the reviews about the lack of singing talent or using other actors to showcase additional talents. Carlos PenaVega has a huge following and is a known actor and singer before and outside of his relationship to Alexa Penavega. I heartedly disagree with these comments as I really enjoyed the music and hope to see all these songs available for purchase. I see one of the songs is in-fact available on iTunes and have already downloaded it. Do I wish there was a bit more to the story? Sure, but that might be hard on a hallmark TV movie. Overall, I'm very pleased and would definitely watch again...in fact I already have.

It's like some bad fanfiction come to life. Pen pals for 15 years and they never met until now. Would make sense if one wasn't a (former) celebrity. The singing was hard to understand at times which is weird because he's an actual singer. Also, they are married in real life and the dynamic between them just felt off the whole time. Props to Abuela for stealing the scenes she was in.

This is a cute movie. Summer and Nick play somewhat vulnerable characters - one shy, one whose confidence is down. They're very likable and you find yourself rooting for them, because they're like regular people that we can all relate to. Having relatable characters is key to a movie's success and Love in the Limelight has that.

Good cast and storyline help to make this an enjoyable movie to watch and Carlos can really sing, so that adds realism. Alex is very talented and she doesn't disappoint in this role.

Hallmark has been making movies that are different than it's usual model and Love in the Limelight is one of those, so it's refreshing. Watch and enjoy.

Alexa Pena-Vega is usually the epitome of sunshine and energy. Not tonight. Summer is too neurotic and the backstory her dad tells later on just doesn't explain it. Especially for a woman who is an HR expert. This woman never would have got that job. I don't know how much of the problem is Alexa's acting. It's not great here. As far as singing, my memory of her in the past is that her voice is decent, but I really couldn't hear her much in the duets.

Carlos isn't sold on his character so he doesn't sell the audience. His singing goes OK with the Boy Band style. Not great but not that bad.

Despite the Inspired by a True Story, this story didn't grab me.

I'm not a fan of these two together. Sure they are perfectly comfortable together, but I didn't see a lot of spark. This is what, maybe the third time I've seen them together and none of them have been great. I like Alexa better independent.

7.8 stars.

Put away your preconceived notions of the PenaVega duo and "Love in the Limelight" can be transformed into a wonderful experience. I myself have never seen them together in a movie until now, so I guess I'm still a bit green.

This film has everything desired in a romantic drama. The acting is well done, the chemistry is great, the story flows, the dialogue is clever, hilarious, and fun. The characters are real, the leads are proficient, her papa stands out, but her abuela is extraordinary. The only reason this does not exceed 8 stars is because it does not evoke the pure x-factor emotional response I look for in a "great" Hallmark film.

There are several tearful moments, Alexa can act, she is a pro, and she makes you feel her anguish as if it's real. Not many actors are this capable. Carlos is not a bad actor, although he has moments where it shows that he's still a novice. Either way, "Love in the Limelight" is a very touching and intelligent movie that kept me engaged throughout. It is entertaining and meaningful, and I will return to it again in a couple of years.

Finish watching this movie-that is. Excitedly dvr-ed it too.

Funny thing is,I've enjoyed both PenaVegas in Hallmark movies before but I felt their characters just didn't click in this one and the storyline was weak.

Oh well, hopefully there's a next time.

I dont know why some people are so brutal when critiquing a movie. Its not necessary to be. We are not professional actors & although these type of movies are so corny & mostly fake, its a billion dollar business, so I think its good enough to just say you dont care for this or you like that. Anyway, I have seen tons of these HM movies were there is no chemistry, bad acting, but they know it so we dont need to be cruel. Ive watched several with this couple in it & will agree that they hold back too much but I think this movie was a breakthrough. Finally some doey-eyed good moments, especially the 1st time they sang together, nice. Many times I think to myself, would I be able to get up there & act or even memorize lines? Lets just be hopeful that those that arent acting up to par are still training away, trying to better their talent. Also, I loved all the music!

I liked it. The strengths outweigh the weaknesses. I wouldn't mind watching it again in a couple months.

Strengths: Ivonne Coll. The leads are charming together, and I liked their duet. The Rivera family dynamic. Ivonne Coll dancing.

Weaknesses: Some holes in the plot. A lot of the dialogue. Some of the supporting cast. (Alex and Toby seem to have wandered in from separate movies.) The absence of any other Mendezes. What they have Carlos do in his rehearsal scenes. (Who would want to work with such a musician?) What they have Alexa do in her work scenes. (Who would want to keep such a job?)

Mixed bag: The fickle paparazzi plot. The agent AC and the father. Mr. Rivera (played by René Rivera) loomed large in the plot, but the actor himself was underused. His motivation changed very quickly. There's a scene where the father talks about how teenage Summer Rivera was teased because her parents had foreign accents; meanwhile, neither of the actors playing the parents have foreign accents.

Apparently, this is based on the true story of Willie Aames and Winnie Hung. Aames was a teenage star from Eight is Enough. (Before my time, but I'm told it was a thing.) I didn't know that while I watched the movie, but I do know it now. My guess is the writers took out a lot so that the story could fit in a 90-minute movie. The result is imperfect but enjoyable.

This is a wonderfully romantic love story, based on the true life story of Willie Aames, of Eight is Enough Fame, and his third wife Winnie Hung.

In this version of the love story Nick Mendez is a teen heartthrob and a member of the very famous band the Mendez Brothers. Fifteen years prior he answers a fan letter sent by fourteen year old Summer Riviera and the two become life long friends sharing both their highs and lows, but never meeting...until now. Nick is in Salt Lake City to do a small venue performance with just him and he wants to meet. The two meet only to discover Summer not only comes from a very conservative family, but is very private herself. Something that is hard to be with a new famous boyfriend.

This was a wonderfully romantic story that involved an immigrant story and I for one loved it! I really appreciated the great authentic acting by the real life couple Alexa PenaVega and Carlos PenaVega, this is the first time I really saw them sizzle on screen. The way he looks at her is so incredibly sincere and filled with love, it really sold the story. The entire Riviera family was very well done.

I highly recommend this romantic love story to all the romantics out there. I loved that the love story is built on years of friendship through letters, texts and phone calls...long before they meet in person. This slow development it so believable and this is the first non-instant love that I have seen in a long time. It added a lot of sincerity and credibility to the story that was all the better for its innocence.

The temptation to be very critic about Love in the Limelight can be result of less simpathy for PenaVega couple.

But the story, predictable, simple, modest in some aspects, is far to be a bad one.

First, for beautiful acting of supporting actors ( abuela is pretty fantastic ), second for reactions to events of characters, realistic in good measure, not the last, for music.

Indeed, is Hallmark but the nice , beautiful try to offer more than so familiar story, using some nuances as spices is a good thing.

So, correct and sweet works about this film in fair manner and the effort of Alexa and Carlos LaPena is not a wrong one.