Heather Locklear shines in Flirting with Forty

Lifetime brings divorced mom surfer romance to life – 4 Stars ****

By Gabrielle Pantera

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 12/5/2008 – “I asked Jane Porter, the writer of this story how she would describe Kyle,” says Flirting with Forty star Heather Locklear. “She didn’t describe his obvious good looks and gorgeous body. She said he’s really funny and, most importantly, really kind.”

“Judith Verno, a VP at Sony, read the book in the fall of 2006, loved it, and contacted my agent regarding rights,” says Flirting with Forty author Jane Porter. “My agent put her in touch with producer Lucy Mukerjee who was handling the option on the book. They put together a deal and within a couple months screenwriter Julia Dahl had been hired to do the script. Julia’s script was great and after some tweaks casting began last December and then boom, we were in production with filming taking place in Calgary and Hawaii in April.”

In Flirting with Forty, Jackie is a divorced mom who goes to Hawaii on what was supposed to be a girls’ weekend to celebrate her fortieth birthday. Jackie is trying to balance her kids, her job and her demanding ex-husband. She ends up alone in Hawaii. Sexy surf instructor Kyle offers to teach her to surf. Jackie realizes that her life isn’t over because her marriage has ended, her life is just beginning.

“I think Jackie is all strength,” says Locklear. “I think her divorce is proof of her strength. She knows better than to stay in something that doesn’t work. She is also a strong mother and friend. Jackie goes through such a hard time, but she stands her ground. So, I related to her in a lot of ways. I see Jackie as every woman.”

“Jackie has just gotten a divorce and is trying to find her way in life at 40,” says Locklear of Flirting with Forty. “To deal with it she runs away to Hawaii. She’s ready for a new adventure. She’s pretty much up for anything, but not everything. You know, she has some boundaries…for, like, a second.”

“I think it will appeal to viewers because it’s about a strong woman,” says Locklear. “That’s why I was drawn to this role. There’s also the hot factor! a.k.a. Robert Buckley, who plays Kyle.”

“I did get to meet the cast in Hawaii,” says Porter. “Heather Locklear was lovely, and made a point of coming up to meet me my very first day on the set. “We both went to UCLA. We’re close in age. And, we’re both single moms, so talking to her was very easy and natural. She’s smart and funny and incredibly professional. She worked very hard and I loved what she did with the part. I was on the Hawaii set for a week and was able to watch a lot of the filming, as well as play an extra on a couple of different occasions.”

“And Robert Buckley…well, he’s smoking hot,” says Porter. “He fit the surfer role perfectly. I don’t think the movie would have half the charm without Robert.”
“Rob, knowing I’d based the character Kyle on my real-life surfer boyfriend, wanted to meet surfer boyfriend Ty Gurney,” says Porter. “At one point Rob and Heather quizzed Ty and me about our relationship, and what had attracted us to each other and what it was like being the real Jackie and Kyle.”

“It was so fun hearing Heather and Rob banter back and forth,” says Porter. “That’s how my relationship is with my surfer. It’s zippy and loving, sexy and fun. Rob and Heather truly brought the characters to life.”

“The book first came out July 2006 and by July 2008 the film was already shot and in post production,” says Porter. “It all happened very quickly, but that’s been part of its charm. Flirting with Forty changed my life. It brought me success. And it brought me love. I could be happy. I, like every person, has a right to be happy. And happiness isn’t that elusive. It’s a choice. You just have to want the great life. You have to go for it. You can’t wait for life to come to you.”

You’ll enjoy the warm and wonderful story. Join Jackie and Kyle on their journey of romance on their path to true love.

On My Lifetime: Flirting With Forty Premieres Dec. 6, 7 and 8 at 9 pm ET/PT.