This is a nice little feel-good film. With good direction and tweaks of the script, it could have been great. The script: One thing that was just plain stupid — the parrot thing. Releasing a domesticated pet parrot into the wild without special training and circumstances is likely to result in the bird’s death from starvation, predators, or exposure to harsh weather. D’uh. Also, paintings in hotels are always firmly affixed to avoid being moved and becoming uneven and to prevent theft. Third, the script did not fully develop Aniston’s character, so we didn’t understand her character and motivations. Fourth, a small point, but they both looked up the meaning of the words in paper dictionaries. C’mon, who does that instead of using their smartphone. I’m in my 60s and used to like paper dictionaries but even I switched to fast, easy internet searches, ages ago. The script was probably written in 2004, but could have been updated for filming. Fifth, the script shows the lead character drinking vodka, morning, noon & night — that’s extremely serious. Alcohol dependence and regular alcohol abuse are serious issues. Alcoholism is devastating illness. But the scriptwriter seems to think that when there’s an emotional breakthrough, a drinking problem easily disappears.
Direction: Pace. The camera lingered too much on many facial expressions of emotion and reactions. The audience isn’t stupid. We get it!!! No need to beat us over the head with character’s reactions and feelings at lennnnngggggthhhhh. Second, Aniston was permitted to have the same exact heavy make-up and hairstyle that she wears on red carpets. It would have been better to design a different look for this character. Third, with a redemptive, happy-ending story like this one, the director needs to be very careful to avoid schmalz and triteness. Otherwise you end up with a second-rate, cliché-ridden Hallmark movie.
By the way, excellent acting by supporting actors raised the whole film: the photographer at the photo shoot, the contractor dad, and the agent were superb.