Why Are Hallmark Fans Boycotting Sarah Drew’s Movie ‘Branching Out’?
Viewers are annoyed at Hallmark’s handling of a controversial subject matter that is at the core of the new Spring Into Love movie Branching Out. Starring in this movie is Grey’s alum Sarah Drew, and Juan Pablo Di Pace. This is the story of a single mother who has a daughter through IVF.
While IVF is currently a controversial subject right now, that is not fully why many fans are talking about boycotting this movie.
What did these fans have to say and why are they boycotting it?
Hallmark Fans On Social Media Dissecting New Sarah Drew Movie Branching Out
On Thursday, one Hallmark fan went to Reddit to share that she is “annoyed” with the subject matter of Sarah Drew’s new Spring Into Love movie Branching Out. It should be noted that this movie is premiering on the Hallmark Channel on Saturday, April 27, at 8 p.m., Eastern, unlike what this poster shared. This is what they said in the post entitled “Branching Out.”
I just saw a commercial for a movie coming out April 26th that I’m annoyed about with a (I assume) is a single mom who uses IVF to have a baby and then goes searching for her daughter’s “real dad” and clearly they fall in love.
A sperm donor is gonna know he has genetic children out there and there is a reason some choose to be anonymous. They don’t want a mom to come searching to fall in love. I get the movies are just silly plots but this one just annoyed me. I understand that a lot of people who don’t understand sperm donors but damn
sorry guys, this plot just sets me off
Edit: I want to add that it’s okay to be curious about her daughter genetics and such (even though you find all that with the sperm company.) It’s just silly them which I guess shouldn’t be surprised by for a hallmark movie 😅
This led to a rabbit hole of discussion about the network and why are they boycotting it. What were fans so upset about? It seems that they are upset with the network’s treatment of this subject matter.
What Did Fans Have to Say About Branching Out Premise?
What did fans have to say about the upcoming Sarah Drew Hallmark movie Branching Out? Some, like the poster will be boycotting this movie. However, others are open to Hallmark telling a different sort of story. Here are the replies to the initial post.
- I am curious to see which direction this movie takes. It could be really good, or, if handled poorly, it could be a dud.
- 100% with you. This is a definite skip for me. I thought it sounded ridiculous when I read the summary on the app, and think it looks unbearably cringy in the preview.
- I saw that and thought it sounded odd too! But giving them the benefit of the doubt, I’m assuming they will somehow weave into the plot that the donor ok’d contact later somehow or maybe the kid needs a kidney or something. But outside of that, it would’t be enjoyable to me and I’ll pass.
- I haven’t seen the commercial for this one. Wow. Who decided this was a good idea for a movie?
- With the increased availability of DNA testing, e.g., ancestry and 23and me, tracking biological relationships is commonplace.
- Yes, this is a rapidly evolving topic. In my grandparent’s generation, talking about adoption was taboo. I have a great aunt who didn’t have the slightest idea she was adopted until the secret came out when she was in her 60s.
What Does Official Hallmark Branching Out Synopsis Say?
Lastly, the summation of the plot of the story shared by the Reddit poster is not exactly correct. According to the official Hallmark synopsis, Amelia (Sarah Drew’s character) does have the baby via IVF. It is now 10 years later and Ruby, the daughter, has to do a family tree for her school assignment. However, there are very few branches on the tree.
They use a DNA test, and Amelia discovers the father of her child, TJ Cruz (played by Juan Pablo Di Pace) is a musician who lives nearby. After Amelia contacts him, he surprisingly wants to meet his daughter. Moreover, after many family get-togethers, Ruby now can experience some of her Mexican heritage and add some branches to her school project.
As this is a Hallmark movie, there should be no surprise that romance brews. Also, there is a misunderstanding. Can anyone guess what will happen at the end?
But, should fans be concerned? Maybe they will want to tune in instead of boycotting.
Firstly, this movie was written by one of Hallmark’s best screenwriters, Joie Botkin, based on Melissa Bustamante’s story. In addition, it was directed by Maclain Nelson, who has been at the helm of so many outstanding movies including both Haul Out The Holly movies, and the Presence Of Love. Also, Sarah Drew and Juan Pablo Di Pace are exceptional and sensitive actors who should be able to add something special to this subject matter.
Hallmark fans, will you be tuning in to watch Branching Out on Saturday, April 27, at 8 p.m., Eastern, on the Hallmark Channel? The premiere of Branching Out is on Saturday, April 27, at 8 p.m., Eastern, on the Hallmark Channel.
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Just watched it. Subject matter was handled very well. Much better flick, and frankly a lot less controversial than some of the other “duds” (a word used by another commenter) that Hallmark has bestowed upon us in recent years. Folks watching the movie should look at it for the core message, not their interpreted or fabricated ones. This is one of the more “upstanding moral message” movies we’ve been treated to recently.
It’s hallmark! And hallmark movies r feel good movies! We have enough strife in the real world and it’s on tv! U don’t like the subject u don’t have to watch it!
I thought ruby was terrific! She was a joy to watch and with all that’s going on today it was a pleasure to watch but there will always be people who will find fault with anything
I really liked the movie. Yes, it’s the typical Hallmark ending where people fall in love in 1 week and things always turn out well, and this is no different. I can say, as a single adoptive mom, many kids want to know about their father, so, like me – you have to be prepared to discuss this with your child. I had to talk about her birth mom, too. So be prepared if you’re gonna adopt or do IVF – many kids are gonna ask about their bio parents, and this is normal.