Love by the 10th Date: A Review

I'm always skeptical of Lifetime movies. Especially since my mom used to watch them all of the time when I was younger. They were always so extra, yet predictable. ​You could literally guess the plot in its entirety within the first five minutes. I've gotten pretty good at it too. But sometimes, a good  girls' night movie is exactly what you need.

The stars of Love by the 10th Date: Kelly Rowland, Kellee Stewart, Meagan Good and Keri Hilson

Photo Credit: NY Post

When I saw the previews for Love by the 10th Date, I was honestly excited to see it. It's always nice seeing an all-black (for the most part) cast on Lifetime. Meagan Good, Kelly Rowland, Kellee Stewart and Keri Hilson worked very well together. You can pretty guess the storyline, but I was pleasantly surprised with this movie's plot. Love by the 10th Date was about several women's journeys, navigating through the unpredictable highways and bi-ways of love. More so, the storyline centered around Meagan Good's character, Gabby, and her journey to find love in companionship and self-love. 

The thing that I loved about the movie was that it introduced a unique view on what love and relationships look like, especially in today's society. It tackled sexual identity within relationships, open marriages, decisions on celibacy, establishing self worth and finding love in unsuspecting (but also obvious) places.

The thing that I loved most about Gabby was her optimism and hope for finding love. She identifies with plenty of young women who haven't had the best fortune with love and young artists and creatives who are struggling to get their feet off of the ground.

With the help of her friends and her boss's latest column, her goal becomes to make it to the tenth date with one guy. This infamous column presents this idea: a man doesn't consider a relationship a serious commitment until the tenth date. Anything before that mark is just infatuation or he just wants to keep things physical. A woman should stop thinking of dates as an audition, hoping to impress, and just keep things light. She should put on an "emotional condemn" until they reach ten dates. So begins Gabby's quest to get to ten and the hilarious sting of happenings that follow. It all concluded with the one for her being right in front of her the entire time. Sounds like that old, familiar saying, doesn't it?

Now there may be some merit to the "tenth date/ next level" thing, but this statement puts waaaay to much power of a budding relationship in one person's hands. It's like okay, I like you, but I'm just gonna sit here while you decide to waste my time or not. It's an interesting concept, and plenty of women will buy into it; however, it was a reach for me. Sounds like a game, for which we have neither the time nor the patience, girl. It also puts such a rush on having to define what's going on. Two people in a relationship or just getting to know one another should be able to communicate what it is that they want out of the experience. You can't assume what's going on or exaggerate the situation because that only leads to more problems in itself. When you enjoy someone's company enough, a title shouldn't have to be rushed; you just know honestly. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. If you have to get off sooner than later, it's okay. Love is so much more than a feeling. It's a choice. Don't be so blinded by the thought of what you think love looks like for you or caught up in just being with someone that you miss the opportunity to actually experience a love worth having. There's no perfect formula for love, but when you know, you know.

Which brings me to my favorite storyline of the movie with Kellee Stewart's and Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman's characters, Nell and Freddy. Their characters met and had an instant connection and an undeniable chemistry, but the discovery of Freddy's bisexuality may be too much for Nell to get over.

Kelly Rowland's character, Margot, has taken a vow of celibacy. Whether that's a personal choice or due to not wanting to let any man get too close, you can decide for yourself. When you let the pain of relationships past take over and keep guards up, you miss out on a real opportunity to heal. Vulnerability isn't that bad.

Keri Hilson's character, Bobbi, is in a "wonderfully fulfilling open marriage with a great guy." While the commitment to sexual liberation and open-mindedness is refreshing and empowering to witness, at some point even in the most lenient of situations, someone is bound to cross a line sooner than later that you can't come back from.

This movie was honestly refreshing. It renews your hope in finding love, no matter where it may turn up. We have to appreciative of love regardless of its source.

Love by the 10th Date is a super cute movie, full of laughs, entertainment and inspiration. If you haven't seen this movie, I definitely suggest you grab your girls, some snacks and some wine and have a girls' night! You won't regret it!