The Dating Coach

The Dating Coach (also known as "How to Fall in Love") is a sweet romantic comedy movie from 2012. The film stars Eric Mabius, Brooke D'Orsay, and Jody Thompson. The movie focuses on a man who struggles with a fear of rejection in romance, and an old female friend who helps him overcome it. These likable characters navigate the flawed and often humorous search for love, which many can relate to on a personal level.

The story revolves around Harold White (Eric Mabius), an awkward man bogged down by the trauma of his high school experiences. Especially crippling is his unrequited love for Amanda (Jody Thompson), his high school crush. He remembers every miserable moment of his thwarted romantic efforts, from his botched Prom proposal to Amanda's rejection. Decades later, Harold has become a successful and wealthy career professional but is still completely inexperienced in matters of the heart due to his fear of being humiliated again.

Despite his success at his job as an executive coach, helping others learn to communicate better in business and life, Harold is unable to use these skills to improve his own love life. He harbors a belief that he will always be the clumsy and geeky guy, with no chance of finding a meaningful romantic relationship. His friend and co-worker, Willie (Kathy Najimy), encourages him to use his professional skills to boost his confidence personally but to no avail.

Events take a turn when Harold hires a dating coach to help him shed his awkward image and win over his high school sweetheart. The coach, in a twist of fate, turns out to be Annie Hayes (Brooke D'Orsay), his old high school classmate, and the one person who understood him. Annie is fun, warm-hearted, nurturing, and sees in Harold what he cannot see in himself - a genuinely good man who is deserving of love. She was popular in school but not for the usual reasons; she was a kind, friendly, artistic soul who everyone felt comfortable around.

Annie has fallen on hard times and is struggling to keep her family's flower shop afloat. When Harold offers to pay her handsomely for her time, she agrees to it. The two of them embark on a series of adventures where she helps Harold overcome his obstacles, and in the process, she learns to see herself as more than just the girl who everyone likes but no one considers romantically.

The strength of their friendship forms a strong foundation for emotional intimacy, even as Annie coaches Harold through dreaded situations such as making the first move and handling rejection. Throughout their journey, they find themselves straddling the line between love and friendship, forever questioning if love is about finding the perfect person, or seeing an imperfect person perfectly.

"The Dating Coach“ navigates the highs and lows of the dating world, making it a relatable film for many. It’s funny, heartwarming, and occasionally painfully awkward in a way that reflects real-life encounters. The film brings many warm moments, funny situations, and a lot of recognizable awkwardness when it comes to dating.

Eric Mabius and Brooke D’Orsay have incredible on-screen chemistry. Mabius convincingly portrays a man struggling to overcome his insecurities and fear of rejection. His portrayal of the geeky guy with a heart of gold is endearing. D’Orsay is delightful and credible as a compassionate and understanding coach who is also on a journey of personal discovery.

In conclusion, "The Dating Coach“ is a heartfelt and refreshing movie about overcoming personal fear and insecurities, proving that it is never too late to change your life and find love. It’s not a typical rom-com where love and relationships come easily. It reflects the real struggle many face when it comes to opening up to love and the fears that can hold us back from it. It's a charming film that doesn’t shy away from displaying the vulnerabilities, insecurities, and the effort it takes to truly connect with another person.