The Reading Room

Name: The Reading Room
Genre: Big City, Cute Kid, Complete Strangers
Released: 2005-01-01
Duration: 1 h 33 min
Rating: 7.1
Cast: James Earl Jones, Joanna Cassidy, Douglas Spain, Keith D. Robinson, Monique Coleman

7.1/10 · 741 ratings20051h 33mWeirdness 3/10Bingo card

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The premise

Making good on a promise he made to his dying wife, a widower (Jones) opens a reading room, a place where people can learn to read. Despite his goodwill, problems in the neighborhood threaten his establishment.

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.

A rare specific

Tap to find the other Hallmark movies that share it.

Reading Room Owner as the leadThe only one

Who’s in it

Our Guy

James Earl Jones

as William

Our Girl

Joanna Cassidy

as Diana

Alongside them

Show all 10 cast

Behind the camera

Show

Directed by

Georg Stanford Brown

Written by

Randy Feldman

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 19 to find more movies that do the same thing.

Did you know?

A few things that make this one stand out once you stack it up against every other Hallmark movie.

Among everything Hallmark put out in 2005, this is the highest rated on the site — 7.1 out of 10.

19 tropes in one movie

We counted 19 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.

The backstory

The Reading Room is a 2005 American made-for-television drama film that originally premiered on Hallmark Channel. It was directed by Georg Stanford Brown.

From Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

How it stacks up

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

Higher-rated than 95% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog The Reading Room belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

BINGOA happy endingPlans get derailed by the weatherThe lead works as a teacherA warm hug that lingersA charming local cafe or dinerA change of heart by the final actA shared meal around a crowded tableThe story travels to another countryAn almost-kiss gets interruptedA first impression that turns out completely wrongSomeone gets flustered during small talkA pep talk that changes everything★Someone inherits money or propertyThe two leads are forced to work togetherA shared errand turns into bondingA big event everyone is preparing forA calendar reminder raises the stakesA classic Hallmark meet-cuteA wise elder dispenses adviceA cosy interior full of warm lightingThere is a contest or competitionA widow or widowerThe love interest is a retiredThe town pulls together for one of its own

Hallmark Bingo

Your The Reading Room card is dealt.

Twenty-four squares pulled from this movie’s own quirks — the cosy classics, a few only-in-this-one curveballs, and a couple of decoys. Mark them as you watch.

Open your card

Meet the characters

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

William
Lead
Widower who opens a reading room
principledcompassionatedetermined
Diana
Love interest
Woman in William's life
Love interest
supportivewarmkind
Javier
Supporting
Reading-room student
Person William helps
eager
Leesha
Supporting
Reading-room student
Person William helps
determined
Darrel
Supporting
Neighborhood figure
Local
Jillian
Supporting
Neighborhood figure
Local

Questions people ask about The Reading Room

Where can I watch The Reading Room?

The Reading Room is available via PixL Amazon Channel and Xumo Play. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

How long is The Reading Room?

The Reading Room runs about 1 hour and 33 minutes, and was released in 2005.

Browse all movies

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