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Mini Reviews of Hallmark Movies
Call them cheesy if you want, but Hallmark Channel provides a service – yes, a service! – by sharing positive messages of overcoming adversity and finding love in its movies. While I sometimes wish Hallmark would promote more logic and less magic for its leading ladies, it’s great to have a venue that is free of violence, going for storytelling instead of shock value. The stars are almost always highly likable and watchable, and if you love a happy ending -- and more peaceful sleep -- these are your feel-good movies.
Check out my mini reviews of Hallmark’s movie offerings below. Many movies get repeat showings. Visit hallmarkchannel.com to see which titles are coming up.
Mini Reviews
Shifting Gears (2024)
Hallmark pulls out of misery mode with this outing. More like this, please.
Come Fly with Me and The More Love Grows (2024)
Something has gone very wrong at Hallmark. While web chatters have long had gripes about the channel's movies, I've mostly enjoyed them - until 2024. Now tragedy lurks around every corner.
Guiding Emily (2024)
The cast is likable, attractive and skilled. So how did this go so wrong?
Stars Sarah Drew and Antonio Cupo
Sense and Sensibility (2024)
Travel in carriages, gossip about marriages ...
Stars Deborah Ayorinde, Dan Jeannotte and Bethany Antonia
An American in Austen (2024)
A trip back in time reveals the truth about corsets and more.
Stars Eliza Bennett and Nicholas Bishop
Love & Jane (2024)
Romance gets an otherworldly assist.
Stars Alison Sweeney and Benjamin Ayres
Betty's Bad Luck in Love (2024)
This movie might put a curse on you.
Stars Laci J. Mailey and Marco Grazzini
Romance with a Twist (2024)
Women of Hallmark movies: You've gotta learn what dealbreakers are.
Stars Jocelyn Hudon and Olivier Renaud
Dater's Handbook (2016)
Before Prince Harry, there were these dudes.
Stars Meghan Markle and Kristoffer Polaha
When Sparks Fly (2014)
Too bad it's not a princess movie!
Stars Meghan Markle and Christopher Jacot
Love, Once and Always (2018)
Nice atmosphere, nostalgia and facial features.
Stars Amanda Schull and Peter Porte
The Beach House
Theme: You really should go home (to the beach)
Title: At least it’s not a spoiler
Stars
Andie MacDowell: She’s the heart of this movie, which isn’t strictly a romance. Her character keeps giving and acknowledging mistakes to mend past misunderstandings.
Minka Kelly: Another pro with a lot to offer, Kelly works through her personal history with her mother, ex-boyfriend and brother. She learns to embrace what she had scorned previously.
Chad Michael Murray: While it’s hard not to see Murray through a lens of his past roles, he does a great job of fitting into the group of island locals while still harboring feelings for Kelly’s character.
Overall: The Beach House has more weight and substance than many Hallmark movies. It’s more heartbreaking and realistic, minus the fluff and diversions of a typical offering. The romance in this is more of a subplot to family issues that have surfaced after the death of a father.
Must-see factor: 5 out of 5
Ending: Bittersweet happy
Love at First Dance
Theme: Marry me instead of the person you’re about to marry
Title: Comparatively good (not too punny)
Stars
Becca Tobin: As Hope, Tobin has the grace of a dancer and perfectly wears those flowy outfits that might or might not be costumes. She fits in the role despite a rather awkward “meet cute,” and her experience on TV’s “Glee” apparently served her well here.
Niall Matter: Also appearing in Hallmark’s “Frozen in Love,” Matter shows his versatility by moving seamlessly into a very different role. The Canadian native (#ThankYouCanada) plays Eric, who is about to get married when he falls for Hope. Uh oh!
Overall: This borders on an ugly, unromantic plot, but these two work some magic with it. In their hands, it’s OK that a wedding has just been called off.
Must-see factor: 4 out of 5
Ending: Gracefully happy
The Perfect Bride: Wedding Bells
Theme: Perfection ain’t happenin’
Title: Functional
Stars
Pascale Hutton: As fitness instructor Molly, Hutton is charming and capable, but she almost appears to narrate her way through the movie.
Kavan Smith: Smith plays Nick, a photographer who adds just the right amount of humor and humanity to their romance.
Overall: Like most Hallmark romances, its couple is likable and easy to root for. But this Perfect Bride sequel is just not as engaging as the original or several other Hallmark offerings.
Must-see factor: 3 out of 5
Ending: Imperfectly happy