Love's Portrait

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie with it's quest to answer a question to which we already know the answer. The real point is when will Lily discover who the painter is and will William get up the courage to tell her the truth. How the painting travelled to Lily's museum in the U. S. is also a sweet story and Gerry Herbert as Jonathan O'Brien plays an important piece of the puzzle. I thought the acting was good and really enjoyed the interaction between Aubrey Reynolds as Lilly and Richard McWilliams as William. However, my favorite character was Saoirse played wonderfully by Kathryn McKiernan. While everyone else is searching for answers or true love, Saoirse is comfortable in her own skin and her lot in life. McKiernan plays this role with such joy and sincerity that it's hard not to fall in love with Saoirse and her small life, which is not small at all. Her dedication to the Post, her parents legacy, and the joy of her little village is very compelling and Kathryn McKiernan brings this character to life wonderfully. Unlike most Hallmark movies, this one was actually filmed in Ireland, not Canada which would have been a stretch. The scenery was beautiful and it was filmed beautifully as well. I truly loved this movie and it took me back to my visits to the Emerald Isle.

This is a fairly standard quest story with some romantic fantasy thrown in. The quest is for the source and history of the painting. Lily and William spend much of the movie on a leisurely paced quest. I found it a little too leisurely.

There is a bit of obsession with a cross between finding/having a soulmate and destiny. That's the romantic fantasy part because the story seems to prove one or the other or both.

I had trouble finding much chemistry between Aubrey Reynolds and Richard McWilliams. McWilliams was restrained and William's secret (which we learn very early) keeps an invisible barrier between them.

The boss, Michelle, was over the top annoying in the beginning but quieted down at least a little after that.

This movie was mostly a miss for me. It wasn't because of Aubrey Reynolds who held her own and her looks are attractive and mysterious at the same time. My main impression of the movie is a slow shallow story which wasn't helped by the obsession with the idea of a soulmate.

But I think many, especially less right brained people than me, will love this.

In this Hallmark movie we first see a group of ladies who work at a museum. They receive a painting of a lovely lady and it looks exactly, not similar, yes exactly like one of the curators. They are all puzzled and dumbfounded when she tells the others that she has never posed for such a portrait. Is it really "Love's Portrait?"

They manage to find the shipping receipt and figure out it came from Ireland. So the lady who is boss really tries to convince her that it might be fate, she should go to Ireland and figure it out. At first very reluctant, when she relents her boss presents her with the travel itinerary, airline tickets and all.

Fortunately most of the movie is filmed in Ireland with Irish actors. They make excellent use of the beautiful Irish scenery.

Though, I must remark that they cheat a bit. Hallmark movies are noted for waiting until one minute from the end for what my wife and I call "The Hallmark Kiss." Well there is one, right at one minute from the end, but that is the second one. The first one comes at about 15 minutes before the end.

Oh, well, we will forgive them. It is a suitably entertaining movie. At home, streaming on Peacock.

Love's Portrait is a 1st rate romance. I was instantly drawn to it when I read that it takes place in Ireland. I love young romance and I knew I'd enjoy seeing the scenery of Ireland. I was right.

The cinematography was outstanding.

All the performers are wonderful. You'll fall in love with the two leads. At each moment of the story, I eagerly awaited the next. There were many very enjoyable funny moments, but the romantic elements were the best.

Art lovers will enjoy that element of the plot. You'll definitely be cheering for things to work out well for the lead couple. They're really charming. I'm not ashamed to say that this 70-year-old guy cried tears of joy at the end.

Love's Portrait is delightful. I can't think of a better way to spend two hours. I'd watch it again right now.

A truly beautiful movie in stunning Ireland. It was done so softly, so touching, unlike many Hallmark movies that just go bluntly. Don't get me wrong, it's still a predictable romance with a touch of mystery, but we all love it for this, of course, otherwise you wouldn't be here.

I must say that while the main actor was a bit rough and stiff (understandable from the context of the movie though), the lead actress is purely angelic and so so beautiful. She was so sweet and caring, like a fairy of an elf. I would be disappointed if Peter Jackson doesn't call her for the next movie. The secondary character of Saorsie was nice too with a lovely message.

All in all, it's a nice movie to spend an evening with, absolutely recommend.