Don't Go Breaking My Heart

6.7/10 · 1,385 ratings20211h 23mWeirdness 3/10Bingo card

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The premise

Miranda runs a boot camp for the recently brokenhearted. She begins to form a connection with new client Ben--who is also a reporter, investigating whether her boot camp is a scam or a phenomenon.

How unusual is it?

Honestly? Not very — and that's the charm. It plays the hits, which is exactly the point for a cozy night in.

Who’s in it

Behind the camera

Show

Directed by

Written by

Wait, what?

The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.

  • The 'Teamwork' exercise involves a fake bomb threat in an escape room where the instructor yells 'we are all going to die!'
  • A client named Bink burns a physical armchair at the final bonfire to get over his ex.
  • A subplot involves a custody battle over a cat named Ruth who is 'definitely struggling' with the breakup.
  • The concept of a 'Breakup Boot Camp' involving rock climbing and salsa dancing as clinical therapy.

Every trope, all in one place

Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 25 to find more movies that do the same thing.

How it all plays out

Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.

Full story (spoilers)
The film opens with Dr. Miranda Faraday promoting her 'Breakup Boot Camp' on a local morning show, Good Day Portland. Meanwhile, journalist Ben Myers is dumped by his girlfriend, Jen, who feels he is never present in their relationship. Ben and Miranda have a chance 'meet-cute' outside a restaurant at a valet stand, where they share a moment of vulnerability without knowing each other's identities. Ben's sister, Kim, who is struggling with her own breakup, eventually convinces a reluctant Ben to join Miranda's program for moral support. Ben's boss, Leo, sees an opportunity and tasks Ben with writing an undercover exposé on the boot camp, promising him a promotion to features editor if he can prove it's a 'fad' or a scam. As the six-week program progresses, Ben and Miranda's connection deepens. During 'Week One: Release,' the group uses kickboxing to vent anger. In 'Week Two: Endurance,' they tackle an obstacle course and rock climbing, where Ben and Miranda bond over their shared competitive nature. 'Week Three: Teamwork' involves an escape room with a simulated bomb threat, where Miranda reveals her claustrophobia and Ben helps her through it. In 'Week Four: Connection,' the group learns salsa dancing, leading to a romantic moment between the leads. Throughout these sessions, subplots involve Bink Williams, a TV host trying to get over an ex who was 'mean to waiters,' and a woman named Ruth who is actually a cat involved in a custody battle. In 'Week Five: Trust,' Miranda encounters her ex-husband, Dex, who reveals he is getting remarried. This encounter, combined with Ben's support, allows Miranda to finally achieve her own closure. However, the conflict peaks when Miranda finds Ben's notes and a draft of his article titled 'Fad or Phenomenon?' in the studio. Feeling betrayed and used, she confronts him and ends their relationship. Ben, realizing he truly believes in the program, rewrites the article as a sincere testimonial of his transformation, threatening to quit if his boss doesn't publish it word-for-word. The film concludes with Miranda reading the glowing article, realizing Ben's feelings were real. She visits him at his new office, they reconcile, and the story ends with them appearing together on the morning show to promote Miranda's new book and expanded studio.

Beat by beat

  1. Opening

    Miranda and Ben meet anonymously at a valet stand after Ben is dumped, sharing a brief moment of connection.

  2. Inciting incident

    Ben joins Miranda's Breakup Boot Camp undercover to write an exposé for a promotion to features editor.

  3. Midpoint

    During the 'Teamwork' escape room exercise, Ben helps Miranda face her claustrophobia, shifting their dynamic from cynical to sincere.

  4. Climax

    Miranda discovers Ben's secret article notes and feels betrayed, leading to a confrontation and their breakup.

  5. Resolution

    Ben publishes a glowing review of the camp instead of an exposé; Miranda forgives him and they become a couple.

25 tropes in one movie

We counted 25 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.

How it stacks up

Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.

Rating 6.7 vs every rated Hallmark moviemedian 6.4This movie · 6.7567

Higher-rated than 75% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog Don't Go Breaking My Heart belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

Lines worth quoting

The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.

  • “Each week has a theme. Release, Endurance, Teamwork, Connection, Trust, and Closure.”
    — MirandaExplaining the program structure on TV.
  • “I didn't realize I was that replaceable.”
    — BenSeeing his ex-girlfriend on a date shortly after their breakup.
  • “Sometimes, the teacher learns a thing or two... thank you for your lessons... and I release you.”
    — MirandaDuring the final bonfire ceremony, referring to Ben.

Meet the characters

Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.

  • Dr. Miranda Faraday

    Lead

    Psychologist and Boot Camp Founder

    EmpatheticDrivenGuardedClaustrophobic
  • Ben Myers

    Love interest

    Journalist

    Love interest and undercover client

    CynicalAmbitiousAthleticProtective
  • Kim

    Supporting

    Ben's sister and Miranda's client

    EmotionalSupportivePersistent
  • Chloe

    Supporting

    Business Manager

    Miranda's business partner

    PragmaticLoyalOrganized
  • Bink Williams

    Supporting

    TV Host

    Miranda's client

    EccentricVulnerableDramatic

Questions people ask about Don't Go Breaking My Heart

Where can I watch Don't Go Breaking My Heart?

Don't Go Breaking My Heart is available via fuboTV, Philo, and Hallmark+ Amazon Channel. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

How long is Don't Go Breaking My Heart?

Don't Go Breaking My Heart runs about 1 hour and 23 minutes, and was released in 2021.

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