• Latest
  • Trending
Hearts Around the Table: Josh’s Third Serving Review

Hearts Around the Table: Josh’s Third Serving Review: A Gentle Tale of Teachers and Teens

Eye for an Eye Review

Eye for an Eye Review: Florida Gothic Done Right

Alma and the Wolf Review

Alma and the Wolf Review: Ethan Embry Shines in a Flawed Fever Dream

RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review

RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review: The Detective Who Couldn’t Investigate

Hi-Five Review

Hi-Five Review: An Origin Story on Fast-Forward

28 Years Later Review

28 Years Later Review: A Saga Begun, Not Ended

Soul Reaper Review

Soul Reaper Review: Indonesian Folk Horror That Haunts Your Dreams

Mindhunter

David Fincher Weighs Mindhunter Revival as Film Trilogy

2 days ago
How to Train Your Dragon

‘Elio’ Lands With a Thud as Pixar Records Its Worst Opening Weekend

2 days ago
Seth Rogen

Seth Rogen Courts Vin Diesel for ‘The Studio’ Season 2

2 days ago
Jack Betts

Jack Betts, Spaghetti-Western Export and Spider-Man Board Chief, Dies at 96

2 days ago
Amanda Seyfried

Here We Go Again? Seyfried, Craymer Push Mamma Mia 3 Forward

2 days ago
Lynn Hamilton

Lynn Hamilton, Steady Star of ‘Sanford and Son,’ Dies at 95

2 days ago
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Gazettely Review Guidelines
Monday, June 23, 2025
GAZETTELY
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    Mindhunter

    David Fincher Weighs Mindhunter Revival as Film Trilogy

    How to Train Your Dragon

    ‘Elio’ Lands With a Thud as Pixar Records Its Worst Opening Weekend

    Seth Rogen

    Seth Rogen Courts Vin Diesel for ‘The Studio’ Season 2

    Jack Betts

    Jack Betts, Spaghetti-Western Export and Spider-Man Board Chief, Dies at 96

    Amanda Seyfried

    Here We Go Again? Seyfried, Craymer Push Mamma Mia 3 Forward

    Lynn Hamilton

    Lynn Hamilton, Steady Star of ‘Sanford and Son,’ Dies at 95

    Owen Wilson

    Owen Wilson Rejoins Stiller and De Niro as ‘Meet the Parents 4’ Sets 2026 Release

    Pretty Little Liars Stars

    After Reboot’s Demise, Pretty Little Liars Cast Plots Big-Screen Return

    jackie chan and bruce lee

    Bruce Lee Returns—Digitally—as Beijing Launches $14 M Restoration Drive

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    Eye for an Eye Review

    Eye for an Eye Review: Florida Gothic Done Right

    Alma and the Wolf Review

    Alma and the Wolf Review: Ethan Embry Shines in a Flawed Fever Dream

    Hi-Five Review

    Hi-Five Review: An Origin Story on Fast-Forward

    28 Years Later Review

    28 Years Later Review: A Saga Begun, Not Ended

    Soul Reaper Review

    Soul Reaper Review: Indonesian Folk Horror That Haunts Your Dreams

    Promised Hearts Review

    Promised Hearts Review: Melodrama Meets Existential Yearning

    Borrowed Time: Lennon’s Last Decade Review

    Borrowed Time: Lennon’s Last Decade Review – Conversations in the Dakota Shadows

    America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2 Review

    America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2 Review — From Tryouts to Takeover

    Pinch Review

    Pinch Review: Sharp Humor Meets Social Reckoning

  • Game Reviews
    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review

    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review: The Detective Who Couldn’t Investigate

    Still Wakes the Deep: Siren’s Rest Review

    Still Wakes the Deep: Siren’s Rest Review – Revisiting a Sunken Legacy

    TRON: Catalyst Review

    TRON: Catalyst Review: More Style Than Substance

    FBC: Firebreak Review

    FBC: Firebreak Review: Corporate Chaos and Cooperative Action

    Date Everything Review 1

    Date Everything! Review: You’ll Never Look at Your Toaster the Same Way

    Lost in Random: The Eternal Die Review

    Lost in Random: The Eternal Die Review: All Style, Less Story

    Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster Review

    Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster Review: A Dialogue With Tradition

    Yakuza 0 Director's Cut Review

    Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut Review: Neon Lights and Brutal Fights

    Trident's Tale Review

    Trident’s Tale Review: Buried Treasure or Fool’s Gold?

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    Mindhunter

    David Fincher Weighs Mindhunter Revival as Film Trilogy

    How to Train Your Dragon

    ‘Elio’ Lands With a Thud as Pixar Records Its Worst Opening Weekend

    Seth Rogen

    Seth Rogen Courts Vin Diesel for ‘The Studio’ Season 2

    Jack Betts

    Jack Betts, Spaghetti-Western Export and Spider-Man Board Chief, Dies at 96

    Amanda Seyfried

    Here We Go Again? Seyfried, Craymer Push Mamma Mia 3 Forward

    Lynn Hamilton

    Lynn Hamilton, Steady Star of ‘Sanford and Son,’ Dies at 95

    Owen Wilson

    Owen Wilson Rejoins Stiller and De Niro as ‘Meet the Parents 4’ Sets 2026 Release

    Pretty Little Liars Stars

    After Reboot’s Demise, Pretty Little Liars Cast Plots Big-Screen Return

    jackie chan and bruce lee

    Bruce Lee Returns—Digitally—as Beijing Launches $14 M Restoration Drive

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    Eye for an Eye Review

    Eye for an Eye Review: Florida Gothic Done Right

    Alma and the Wolf Review

    Alma and the Wolf Review: Ethan Embry Shines in a Flawed Fever Dream

    Hi-Five Review

    Hi-Five Review: An Origin Story on Fast-Forward

    28 Years Later Review

    28 Years Later Review: A Saga Begun, Not Ended

    Soul Reaper Review

    Soul Reaper Review: Indonesian Folk Horror That Haunts Your Dreams

    Promised Hearts Review

    Promised Hearts Review: Melodrama Meets Existential Yearning

    Borrowed Time: Lennon’s Last Decade Review

    Borrowed Time: Lennon’s Last Decade Review – Conversations in the Dakota Shadows

    America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2 Review

    America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2 Review — From Tryouts to Takeover

    Pinch Review

    Pinch Review: Sharp Humor Meets Social Reckoning

  • Game Reviews
    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review

    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Review: The Detective Who Couldn’t Investigate

    Still Wakes the Deep: Siren’s Rest Review

    Still Wakes the Deep: Siren’s Rest Review – Revisiting a Sunken Legacy

    TRON: Catalyst Review

    TRON: Catalyst Review: More Style Than Substance

    FBC: Firebreak Review

    FBC: Firebreak Review: Corporate Chaos and Cooperative Action

    Date Everything Review 1

    Date Everything! Review: You’ll Never Look at Your Toaster the Same Way

    Lost in Random: The Eternal Die Review

    Lost in Random: The Eternal Die Review: All Style, Less Story

    Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster Review

    Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster Review: A Dialogue With Tradition

    Yakuza 0 Director's Cut Review

    Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut Review: Neon Lights and Brutal Fights

    Trident's Tale Review

    Trident’s Tale Review: Buried Treasure or Fool’s Gold?

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
GAZETTELY
No Result
View All Result
Hearts Around the Table: Josh’s Third Serving Review

Amityville: Where the Echo Lives Review – Charting Inner Turmoil in a Familiar Frame

The Black Forest Murders Review: Beyond Spectacle, Into the Grim Expanse

Home Entertainment Movies

Hearts Around the Table: Josh’s Third Serving Review: A Gentle Tale of Teachers and Teens

Vimala Mangat by Vimala Mangat
3 weeks ago
in Entertainment, Movies, Reviews
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on WhatsAppShare on Telegram

“Hearts Around the Table: Josh’s Third Serving” continues a series built upon the comforting bedrock of a “found family,” a concept with deep resonance in collectivist cultures, reminiscent of the extended familial support networks often depicted in Indian cinema where community ties are paramount.

The narrative unfolds primarily within the corridors of East Heights High School, a setting that becomes a crucible for nascent relationships and professional aspirations. Here, we meet Josh Adler, a math teacher and lauded track coach, his life intertwined with Angie Hartman’s foster family.

His world encounters a gentle tremor with the arrival of Ella Hawthorne, a new English teacher fresh from Washington D.C., tasked with breathing life into the school’s music program. An initial, almost imperceptible spark ignites between them, a familiar trope in many romantic narratives globally.

However, their connection is immediately tested by the pragmatic realities of institutional life: looming budget cuts pit Josh’s established sports agenda against Ella’s fledgling musical ambitions, creating a classic setup for a rivalry that must eventually seek resolution. The ensemble is further enriched by Gina Taylor, Angie’s newest foster child, whose presence at East Heights High adds another layer to the unfolding school dynamics.

The Rivalry Waltz: Sparks, Missteps, and Mr. Gupta

The dynamic between Josh and Ella charts a course familiar to viewers of romantic comedies worldwide, including many a Bollywood “meet-cute” evolving through initial friction. Their first interactions, marked by polite assistance, soon give way to spirited contention over school resources and even practice territory – his track team’s focus disrupted by her music group’s outdoor rehearsals.

Their impassioned, separate appeals to the PTA for funding highlight their dedication but also their conflicting immediate goals. A softening occurs as they witness each other’s commitment, leading to a strategic, if sometimes clumsy, alliance to fundraise collectively.

The narrative introduces a significant complication through an alumnus, Mr. Gupta – a name that might evoke a sense of diasporic success often seen in globalized storytelling. Josh’s accidental misrepresentation of their joint funding proposal to Mr. Gupta, securing funds solely for the track team, becomes a pivotal point of betrayal for Ella. Josh, portrayed as earnest and deeply committed yet prone to endearing gaffes and a slightly over-eager earnestness (his opening line about “veggies in tummy” sets a peculiar tone), scrambles to mend the breach.

Ella, initially a figure of composed passion for her students and music, reveals a justifiable anger born of this perceived deceit, her bond with Gina showcasing her nurturing side. Their journey from rivals to a potential couple navigates these manufactured crises, asking the audience to invest in a connection built on quick repartee rather than profound depth.

Beyond the Blackboard: Angie’s Haven and Gina’s Growth

The film finds a more secure emotional anchor in the recurring motif of Angie Hartman’s “found family,” a heartwarming portrayal of non-biological kinship that echoes the community-centric values often celebrated in diverse cinematic traditions, including Indian parallel cinema’s focus on societal support structures. Angie’s warm, unwavering support forms the core around which these disparate lives orbit.

Hearts Around the Table: Josh’s Third Serving Review

Gina Taylor’s arc is particularly noteworthy; her love for the saxophone is contrasted with her quiet struggles in the classroom. Ella’s perceptiveness leads to the exploration of a potential learning difficulty, culminating in an ADHD diagnosis. The sensitive handling of Gina’s journey – her initial distress, the support from Angie and Kiki (another foster sibling who shares her own past learning challenges), and the film’s gentle message about embracing one’s differences – offers a touch of social realism.

This subplot, involving visits to Gina’s grandmother to secure consent for testing, provides moments of genuine connection, particularly between Gina and Kiki. The presence of other foster siblings like Rory, Jenna, and Shari, along with Jenna’s boyfriend Andrew planning a proposal, weaves a sense of continuity and collective life, with the Sunday dinners symbolizing a sanctuary of acceptance. These scenes offer a more resonant depiction of human connection than the central romance.

Echoes of Familiar Themes and Gentle Tones

“Hearts Around the Table: Josh’s Third Serving” champions the theme of “found family,” a universally appealing concept that suggests home is built through bonds of affection rather than mere biology. This idea, while presented here with a North American sensibility, shares thematic DNA with countless stories from global cinema that emphasize community and chosen family.

Hearts Around the Table: Josh’s Third Serving Review

The narrative also touches upon the value of extracurricular activities in education and the perseverance needed to overcome systemic and personal hurdles, whether funding shortages or Gina’s ADHD. The film maintains a light-hearted and earnest tone, characteristic of its television movie genre. Jake Epstein imbues Josh with a sincere, if sometimes awkward, charm. Stephanie Bennett gives Ella a quiet strength, and Mindy Cohn as Angie radiates dependable warmth.

Millie Davis offers a compelling performance as Gina, navigating her character’s vulnerabilities and strengths with authenticity. Memorable, if quirky, moments like Josh’s aforementioned dietary advice or the genuine interactions within Angie’s home, particularly concerning Gina, define the film’s gentle appeal. The somewhat nebulous geographical setting and the puzzling title don’t detract significantly from its core aim: to provide a comforting, predictable narrative about connection and support.

Hearts Around the Table: Josh’s Third Serving Filmed in Newmarket, Ontario, the movie is available for streaming on Hallmark Channel and its partners, including Peacock, Philo, Sling TV, Frndly TV, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, and Fubo.

Full Credits

Director: Mike Donis

Writers: Paula Tiberius

Producers and Executive Producers: Jessica Reis, Stan Hum, Beth Stevenson, Nancy Yeaman

Cast: Jake Epstein, Stephanie Bennett, Mindy Cohn, Ashley Newbrough, Steve Lund, Kathryn Davis, Mishael Morgan, Millie Davis, Brendan Morgan, Monica Rodriguez Knox, Justice James, Jocelyne Zucco, Troy Blundell, Vijay Mehta, Diane Johnstone, Al Bernstein, Chris Gorys, Priya Rao

Director of Photography (Cinematographer): Aldo Quirván

Editors: Mike Donis

Composers: Stephen Krecklo, Sean Nimmons-Paterson

The Review

Hearts Around the Table: Josh’s Third Serving

5.5 Score

"Hearts Around the Table: Josh’s Third Serving" offers a comforting, if somewhat formulaic, narrative. While the central romance between rival teachers Josh and Ella treads familiar ground with manufactured conflicts, the film finds genuine warmth in its depiction of Angie's "found family" and the engaging subplot of Gina’s journey with ADHD. It's a gentle story of community and support, best enjoyed for its heartfelt secondary narratives rather than its primary romantic pairing.

PROS

  • Warm portrayal of the "found family" dynamic.
  • Engaging and sensitive handling of Gina's ADHD storyline.
  • Strong supporting performance by Mindy Cohn as Angie.
  • Pleasant, earnest tone.

CONS

  • Central romance feels underdeveloped and predictable.
  • Some character actions, particularly Josh's, can be unconvincing.
  • Relies on familiar genre tropes and manufactured misunderstandings.
  • The main plot concerning the teachers' rivalry lacks significant depth.

Review Breakdown

  • Overall 0
Tags: Ashley NewbroughBrendan MorganDramaFeaturedHallmark ChannelHearts Around the Table: Josh's Third ServingJake EpsteinKathryn DavisMike DonisMindy CohnMishael MorganRomance SourcesStephanie BennettSteve Lund
Previous Post

Amityville: Where the Echo Lives Review – Charting Inner Turmoil in a Familiar Frame

Next Post

The Black Forest Murders Review: Beyond Spectacle, Into the Grim Expanse

Try AI Movie Recommender

Gazettely AI Movie Recommender

This Week's Top Reads

  • Marshmallow Review

    Marshmallow Review: These Woods Hide Unexpected Secrets

    4 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • We Were Liars Season 1 Review: Paradise Lost on Beechwood Island

    6 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Art Detectives Review: The Case of the Brilliant Man and the Underwritten Woman

    168 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Mix Tape Review: A Story Told on Two Sides of a Cassette

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Boglands Review: Shadows and Whispers in the Irish Mist

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Librarians: The Next Chapter Season 1 Review – Bridging Eras with Spellbinding Charm

    44 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Alma and the Wolf Review: Ethan Embry Shines in a Flawed Fever Dream

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Must Read Articles

28 Years Later Review
Movies

28 Years Later Review: A Saga Begun, Not Ended

2 days ago
F1: The Movie Review
Movies

F1: The Movie Review: An Engineered Ecstasy That Sputters at the Finish

6 days ago
Elio Review
Movies

Elio Review: Lost in a Beautiful Cosmos

6 days ago
K.O. Review
Movies

K.O. Review: This Heavyweight Contender Lands Solid, If Predictable, Blows

6 days ago
The Chelsea Detective Season 3 Review
Entertainment

The Chelsea Detective Season 3 Review: The Moral Topography of a Postal Code

7 days ago
Loading poll ...
Coming Soon
Who is the best director in the horror thriller genre?

Gazettely is your go-to destination for all things gaming, movies, and TV. With fresh reviews, trending articles, and editor picks, we help you stay informed and entertained.

© 2021-2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely

What’s Inside

  • Movie & TV Reviews
  • Game Reviews
  • Featured Articles
  • Latest News
  • Editorial Picks

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About US
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Review Guidelines

Follow Us

Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movies
  • Entertainment News
  • Movie and TV Reviews
  • TV Shows
  • Game News
  • Game Reviews
  • Contact Us

© 2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely

Go to mobile version