The World We Make has been compared to a Hallmark Movie in another review, and while I understand why, this movie has far more substance. The interracial romance as the main theme is what drew me to this film despite its low score; I figured the other reviewers were just harsh against it because of a possible religious angle (it doesn't have one) or actual incompetency.

This film is rated PG, which I didn't know before I started it (or I may have skipped it). It turned out to be a non-issue, though the movie is extremely tame save for a character death fairly early on and a fistfight later (which is filmed so that most violence is barely seen). The characters here are fairly well-developed. Rose Reid (whose prior work includes a small role in the laughable "I'm Not Ashamed", but I give her a pass for her decent performance here) plays Lee, a Caucasian equestrian trying to hold her family and dreams together after a series of tragedies. Caleb Castille plays Jordan, an African-American football player who dreams beyond his means in terms of college and career. That they are drawn together makes sense; Lee and Jordan have great chemistry, a shared social circle (for the most part), and common interests.

The issues that arise in this film stem from the chemistry between the two leads. I said their chemistry was great, but it seems to come from a friendly angle rather than a romantic one. Lee and Jordan encourage one another, play off one another, but rarely do they display believable attraction or affection. A lot of this is likely due to the movie's rating and the age of the characters (though Jordan is in college, Lee is in high school for the majority of the movie's run-time). Still, I think the film played it too safe; though all the ingredients for a believable romance are here, I just didn't feel it.

Still, I cared about the characters, and the racist events that come about from both sides of this divide were so realistic to things I've seen and/or heard about that anger actually caused me to groan a few times. I felt for these characters and their struggle, even if the movie slipped up elsewhere. There were a lot of feel-good montages accompanied by drab feel-good music that dragged on a little too long. A few of the scene transitions were abrupt. The acting wasn't bad, but there were a few cringe-worthy lines that no human being would ever be caught dead saying. On a positive note, The World We Make had no religious proselytizing despite its tameness (which I expected based on the southern actors and low rating), and unlike Hallmark, it didn't tie everything up in a neat little bow. While there is an arguably happy ending, many problems remain unsolved and dreams broken, bringing a refreshingly realistic edge to a movie that could have stuck with the cliche.

The World We Make won't win any rewards, but it's a harmless coming-of-age movie about an interracial relationship that doesn't deserve the low rating it has. It's a heartwarming movie and I don't regret my time watching it.

11 September 2019: I love and support All Interracial Love stories. My all time favorites are "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and "Something New". I found this movie on cable t.v by accident and I really liked it a lot. I rarely ever see a movie or not see a movie based on professional critics. That is just their paid opinion givers. I'd rather see a film for myself and then decide.

Also, I met the director Brian Baugh a few years ago at a special 168 cinema event where he was a guest speaker. Although I have never seen the two leads in any other films or television shows, I thought they both did a good acting job.

For a film of the subject matter made in 2019, I think this movie is a bit antiquated to show a scene that would have taken place in the 1960's or 1970's, a Caucasian {White} store clerk following an African American {Black} around the store unless he came in the store looking like a vagrant or thief. There wasn't anything about this young man played by actor Caleb Castille would indicate that he is going to shoplift. The same for the restaurant scene where people are staring at them as if they were aliens. However, prejudice comes in all races. If he would have taken his cute White girlfriend to an all Black area, store or restaurant in the south, African American people would have been staring at him and her with the same disdane, contempt or scorn.

I like the first shared kiss between actress/screenwriter, Rose Reid who makes the first move on Caleb, very tastefully done. It shows that she is clearly interested in him and he did not overstep his bounds with her. I also like Rose character. She is Not materialistic when they make plans for their first date. Rose wrote the story for this film and she deserves an A.

On the down side, although it represents real life, this Interracial love plot has been done to death with the Black man, White woman story line. It would be nice to see such Interracial Love stories like films: "Something New" or "The Lovings" where the woman is Black and the man is White or an Interracial Love story between an African American and an Asian or Hispanic or Israeli Jewish or Arab and the woman can be African American and the man be another race for a change. In closing, God (Adonai, Elohim) and Jesus (Yeshua) does Not see skin color, God only sees the heart and mind.

One of the things that I have really come to like about being able to stream movies is being able to discover films I would not have gone to a theatre to see, but turn out to be real gems. Stories about people with real and realistic dreams, their tragedies, their failures, and their successes...instead of the all-too-often fantastical crapola usually put out by Hollywood. This 'little' film is a good example.

I was a little worried that it was going to turn out to be a religious movie, and I noticed one other reviewer kinda thought that, too. But it's not. It is, however, in a sense, a morality play. It's about valuing people and their goals, whether they be a parent, or a sibling, or a romantic partner...and in this case an interracial theme, too...although it doesn't club you over the head with it.

The acting here is solid. The young male lead is African-American actor Caleb Castille. I predict we'll see more of him (and I see he has done a fair amount of television work). The female lead is Rose Reid, who also turns in a fine performance. The supporting actors are, for the most part, pretty solid, too.

I have to say that those who see this film as being similar to a Hallmark movie...why? Because it has positive themes without sex and violence? Shame on you for being so jaded.

I recommend this film.