Liebe im Sonnenblumenfeld

I loved this movie! I agree with the previous reviewer who said it should be the beginning of a series. It certainly has the potential with a great team of actors with good chemistry and a solid story line that could certainly be developed in a similar vein to Signed, Sealed, Delivered. Bring it on I say!

'Love Stories from Sunflower Valley' (2021) - Rob Lieberman.

This cuddly, earnestly heart string plucking drama stars photogenic Hallmark veterans Erin Cahill and Marcus Possner. Frustrated dogsbody, and aspiring journalist returns to her beloved hometown as assistant to hunky, gentlemanly reporter to write a feature on local altruistic matchmaker. Needless to say, awkward coffee-spilling beginnings belie inexorable chemistry, and true love rapidly blooms in picturesque Sunflower Valley. A bountiful harvest of small-town hospitality, folksy mommy-knows-best schmear, dewy-eyed reminisces, and heartfelt glances over home cooking, warmed fuzzily by sun dappled sentiment! Fine performances, and a lovely location do much to ease the drama's occasional lapses into cloying, love conquers all cliche. I appreciated the pleasing lack of enforced comedy, and don't have a problem with the film's well-meaning, wholly fantastical coda of there's a soul mate for all.

This is quite different from the usual movies of the genre, but it is a bit too wordy for me - I'd prefer to see not hear the stories. Visualizing the tales and expanding them would give a TV series akin to the Signed Sealed Delivered episodes. In this current format, I feel a bit of information overload and like I've rushed every course of a meal down rather than savoring them. When I repeat view, I'll watch in segments each night before sleep as a way to wind down after a busy day. The casting is great with a beautiful location, so here's hoping they can reformat for a feel-good rom-com-non-murder-mystery.

The influence of nature pervades this film, and the director made some smart choices in allowing more silence than is typically found in TV movies, an understated score, and breathtaking camera work. The actors are at their best - the range of emotions Erin Cahill has access to is astonishing, as is the vulnerability shown by Marcus Rosner. This appears to be the first romance from the director, and the first completed teleplay attributed to the writer. I hope in both cases it's the first of many.

There was a PSA some years ago about drugs and the effect they have on a person. The ad showed images, such as, eggs frying on a stove-top, with the refrain: "This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?" This is a Hallmark romance movie. Any questions? The leads where capable and had a good chemistry between each other. The supporting cast were good and it is always good to see more older actors in these roles. Hallmark has always been good in that area. The story was interesting, a romance about romance, or love is there to find when two people are sent to write about romance in a small town. If you are passionate about sunflowers, you will go bonkers from all the sunflowers. Real ones, fake ones, and sunflower jewelry. If you like romance, it's a good watch. I don't remember if they kissed though.

I gave it a seven. It's a good Hallmark movie, not a great Hallmark movie. I probably should give it a 5.75. But it is a good Hallmark movie.