“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.
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.
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
"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.