Love in the Maldives

I am a travel writer and recently returned from the Maldives, so you can imagine how excited I was to watch this movie. It definitely did the Maldives justice, but the actors were just horrible. Why did they have to dye the male lead's hair blonde, circa The Backstreet Boys? And why was his acting so stilted in such a beautiful, relaxing environment? It's ridiculous that she is on assignment to find exactly what she discovered - peace, serenity, and relaxation - but they still found a way to include conflict over a sunken ship (5 minutes of the movie) and her editor suddenly wanted her old schtick and not what she was sent for in the first place. Hallmark has GOT to change up the formula and be okay with a different plot. We don't always need a contrived conflict and a quick resolution. Sometimes we just want romance in the Maldives.

If you're watching a hallmark movie for original content then you're going to be terribly disappointed. It's a well known joke that all the plots are pretty much the same. You can almost clock the pace of the story right down to the conflict with about 15 minutes to go. A conflict that could've been avoided with simple communication.

That said it is what it is. But I'm glad that they are branching out with the locations - we have enough snowy small towns, pumpkin patches, made up European countries with a Prince or Princess. And it's nice to see different faces and a wee bit more diversity with the supporting casts. As a long time watcher, it's been the same 10 actors for about a decade.

I'm chuckling at the comments about the frosted hair on the male lead. Seriously '90s boy bands called and want their look back.

What can I say. It's a hallmark movie. Enjoy the scenery.

The stories has been used before, but the scenery was absolute spectacular, and there was very very good chemistry between the two main characters. It was definitely believable, and I understand they are married in real life and you could see the spark between them.

I thought it was a good touch, showing people traveling alone and interracial couples cause that's part of life. I liked the older woman character whose husband had passed away, that was a nice addition to the story. Maybe Hallmark will do more movies about older( i.e. Over 40) people finding love and life.

It's Hallmark don't expect Bergman or Woody Allen dialogue or story but it's enjoyable and just a good piece of fluff.

This is a good example of when Hallmark gets it right. Granted, the plot has been used many times before - though rarely better, and most good Hallmark films these days rely on recycled plot devices - but that doesn't matter when you have two likeable leads. Jocelyn Hudon is gorgeous and spends plenty of time in a bikini, and her real-life husband Jake Manley. She is a journalist working on her latest piece about solo travelling and he is a charming local (with frosted blonde tips, which was an interesting one) who knows the ins and outs of the Maldives, where the film is set. As often as Hudon is in a bikini, he is shirtless, so it's equal-opportunity stuff.

The combination of Jocelyn Hudon and the spectacular turquoise water and white sand of the Maldives as the backdrop to this easy-to-watch - and dare I say cute - romance is an absolute winner for mine. And given the two leads are together in real life, there's no issues with chemistry, which is where it seems like one of every three or four Hallmark movies falls flat.

I loved Love in the Maldives.

Rae Parker (Jocelyn Hudon) is a travel writer forced to go to the Maldives on an assignment. Jared Joseph (Jake Manley) is the Experience Director trying to get his plan together. She's looking for a story especially a legendary shipwreck.

I don't know these actors. They are beautiful people, but seem more like secondary performers. She's mildly humorous and he's mildly charming. This is not really about the acting or the story. It's location, location, location. It may be shown on Hallmark, but it's more fitting on the Travel Channel. I am often looking into the background more than paying attention to the characters. It's a great looking resort although the filmmaker could make it look more epic.