Movie is cute, but, having shown dogs is the real world, the dog show scenes are very poorly written. NEVER would a handle and judge have the conversations in the ring as written in this movie.

I am a sucker for Jane Austen re-imaginings. It may explain why I liked this movie so much even in face of the terrible reviews. There were definitely some weaknesses in plot. (Why didn't Elizabeth immediately go to the principle when the father of the failing athlete tried to bribe her?) Oooh, he was really evil! I also didn't understand the hostility of Elizabeth towards Donovan Darcy throughout most of the story. He was so adorable and nice! The main appeal of the movie for my were the two lead actors. they were both really appealing and attractive with some great chemistry. Frances Fisher, who played the Catherine de Bourgh character was very hiss-worthy, which always adds to the enjoyment. I did enjoy the secondary characters and the dogs as well.

Loved the actor that played Donovan Darcy - and when he stepped from the pool in those swim shorts - all memories of the pond scene with Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice 1995) left my head...I didn't much care for how the leads switched places - like rotating around each other when they're interacting. I guess it was a way to show they attracted like opposite magnets that even will flip (in love) and come towards each other. Plus, I love all the dogs in the film (being a mother to 6 canines myself). And remember, with all the interpretations of Pride and Prejudice that are out there, even if you are doing it in some misguided way to show a woman how much you love her, you DO NOT list all the things wrong with her, her family, etc. before you propose to her. You love someone for themselves and IN SPITE of themselves, but list what all you think is wrong with me then act like all is well and here comes the happy ending. Expect more from yourself and the woman you're meant to be with.

Elizabeth's heart must not have been in teaching but they had a roundabout way of saying that. She gets fired for not letting a student buy a passing grade from her. The students parents lie to the board and the board mysteriously doesn't even give her a chance to state her side. That's almost unbelievable. But her attitude after an hour of regret is to completely forget about teaching and focus on handling her dog in dog shows. That's where she is going to eventually succumb to Darcy's charms and visa versa. Stupid me. I was outraged by the way they treated her at the University and that the "bad guys" got away with murder. She had a law suit ready made and also a duty to warn the public what was going on at that school. But Elizabeth didn't give it another thought. That being so I didn't like her any more and I stopped caring if she ever landed Mr. Darcy or any other dog judge. Forget about Darcy, she deserved Mr.Farcy.