Romancing the Birthday Girl

On her thirtieth birthday, Taylor (Emilie Ullerup) receives a set of six envelopes containing challenges. They were written by her deceased mother, perhaps because she knew her daughter would need a catalyst to produce meaningful changes in her life. Indeed, Taylor lives an extremely structured new-age life, full of affirmations without many realizations.

A new neighbor, Josh (Clayton James), enters her life, and he becomes her aide in fulfilling the maternal injunctions. It's a natural development that might lead to romance, especially in a Hallmark film.

The problem with this story is the writing, which lacks subtlety (even for a Hallmark romance), beating the viewer over the head with symbolic gestures, coincidences, and too-cute incidents.

I love Emilie Ullerup, but I had to warm a little to Clayton James who plays our male lead Josh opposite her Taylor, but warm to him I did. He was sweet, engaging and was a wonderful foil to Taylor who is an overly neurotic character.

A new neighbor moves in next door and it is Taylor's thirtieth birthday, which she plans to spend visiting her dad who is a local artist and gallery owner. Her dad surprises her with a treasure map to a time capsule buried for her by her late mother. Inside the time capsule is a series of challenges to be done one at a time, that challenge Taylor and push her out of her comfortable little bubble. She has to complete a challenge and document it with a photo before opening the next challenge. The first challenge is to meet someone new...this ends up being her new neighbor, a widower, and his daughter who begin to help Taylor complete her challenges in the spirit in which her mother meant them to be completed.

This was a wonderful story with an even better tie back in to Taylor's mom. I really enjoyed this for the story alone...and I am not sure I have ever said that about a made for Hallmark movie! The romance is there as well...so if you are just in it for the romance you won't be disappointed.

I am a little concerned however there seems to be a trend of Hallmark having lots of stories about widows and widowers...especially those who are parents. Why are you killing off all the parents Hallmark? Should we be concerned?

Bottom line this was a wonderful story and I highly recommend that if you are a hallmark fan that you give it a try.

A review for a Hallmark Rom-Com movie can be hard to do. So here goes. First, it is an Hallmark movie. Enough said. Second, the story seemed believable, even if it has been done before. Third, the actors played well together and had chemistry. Four, it was just a pleasant watch, like a soak in the tub with fragrance.

Taylor is a type A kind of gal. She is very organised, she follows her routine everyday, she has everything scheduled. So, on her 30th birthday her parents lead her to a time capsule, in which there are 6 challenges she has to complete in order to get the real present.

I liked it, I thought it was nice. I may be biased because I really like Emilie and I always find something in her characters that I relate to (this was no exception). I thought she and Clayton had little chemistry, but still enjoyable.

So, this movie is about Taylor stepping out of her comfort zone, partly thanks to Josh. And isn't that lovely? Having someone who helps you overcome your fears and anxieties? I could see myself in Taylor but I wished it was that easy to make the next step.

Other than that, there is nothing to highlight about the movie. This was filmed during the pandemic, so there aren't many more characters. The Sara storyline was unnecesary and Josh's daughter was boring. (sorry)

An entertaining hour and twenty three minutes, but it won't go on my favourites list.

Fans of Hallmark movies will think this one's okay, but it's a tired rehashing of the same old plot lines. Single dad with precocious daughter. Dead moms everywhere. Two adults who decide to spend every day together for no apparent reason. It tries for some comedy but comes off as forced. Good to see Emilie Ullerup back, but I didn't think she meshed well with Clayton James. Your life won't be incomplete if you miss this one.