Love in Whitbrooke

The story is predictable. I've seen hundred movies like it, but the point is the positive feelings that it creates inside us. Full of beautiful views. It was a prefect and safe movie for all the family members. Consider it, the movie is good enough to get score between 6 and 7, but it's not a masterpiece or something. Believe it or not, it can bring good emotions to your mind and heart.

Following the hallmark template, the girl goes home after her dad is injured, gets roped into helping with the town's festival, and finds out her family cafe is going bankrupt- how will it end?!! You probably already guessed it and are correct. I always find it strange how could do much not be done yet for the festival when it is days away?! We barely see her painting and yet this massive backdrop is completed in a matter of seconds it seems. A couple of the side characters look alike and that led to some confusion as I couldn't tell who was who. The leads have some playful chemistry although it was weird they didn't know each other when they both grew up there? I also didn't understand what she did for a living, even until the end I had no idea what it was- project manager or something where she made spreadsheets and told people what to do? It seemed she never worked in the cafe and the way she "saves" her family cafe from going broke didn't make sense either. Overall, an enjoyable movie.

There is a lot of the usual formula stuff in this movie. Woman goes home to help family with dad's injury, sister's imminent childbirth and broke family cafe. Meanwhile she considers a job promotion in far away London. Of course she meets a guy and has to work closely with him for a Founder's Day event. The misunderstanding that creates friction at the climax is slightly unusual but only in the details. Put it all together and the story has no great highs or lows or surprises.

I like Brittany Bristow. She is good with the role of winsome young woman. Amber has limited talents especially in traditional female roles, but her personality is appealing. I thought Bristow and Corey Sevier connected with quiet chemistry supported by a good amount of screen time. So I was content to enjoy their relationship despite a lackluster story.

Several reviewers (dis)credit Hallmark but Reel One Entertainment supports Lifetime and Hallmark. I saw this on UpTV and I think I would have noticed if it was aired on Hallmark.

Again Hallmark dropped the ball on this movie. The daughter is a clutz for a person who is supposed to be a highly respected project manager. The story lines are always predictable. Hallmark has made excellent murder mystery series, perhaps they should continue along that genre.

The script and acting were not good. Everything from the word choice to the fake delivery to the lack of conversation flow felt completely unnatural. Even something as silly as every character referring to their own sister as "Sis" just felt off.

And the nephew -- I just can't with the nephew! "My aunt Amber's pretty, ISN'T SHE??????" Please, all future Hallmark movie writers, just stop it with the awkward kid moments. No one is watching these movies for them.

And for good measure, Hallmark included their usual whimsical music to drive every viewer crazy within the first 20 minutes. If you can watch this entire movie then you're a true diehard!