Love on Iceland

It is very, very rare to write I like it ! About a Hallmark film. But this film deserves that. Not for ingredients , basic ones, but for...the spices. First, the location. Second - the dialogues about love stories as contain of the podcasts. Not the last, the love story between Icelandic guide and the shy American lady. And the cover/ illustrations of Norse legends and Myths. Sure, the predictability is the basic trait. But it is a charming film and that just matters.

Enjoyed Patti Murin & several lines relating to Disney and FROZEN. That was clever. Interesting that she and her real life husband were both in this film. It wasn't the best as these are so predictable. But it was sweet and a less obnoxious way to pass time than some of the crap other shows try to make us feel is normal. We need the happily ever after!

There is not an awful lot else to add to what has been said already and very well, though unfortunately it was very difficult to be so generous towards 'Love on Iceland'. Love Christmas, love Christmas films but there are numerous humbugs amongst the numerous crackers. While my festive film quest was interesting, there were some surprising crackers (not enough though) but a fair share of humbugs or at least ones that came close.

'Love on Iceland' is closer to being one of the humbugs. Not one of the worst festive films seen ever or of the ones seen recently as part of the quest, but it's closer to that distinction than being one of the best or the surprisingly good efforts. It takes me absolutely no pleasure being critical of 'Love on Iceland', being such a fan of Christmas and being somebody who has always tried to be encouraging and honest without being brutal when reviewing, but there are just too many problems that stopped me from enjoying it.

Absolutely agree about the scenery being stunning and at its best magical. Actually think of the films from the recent festive film quest, 'Love on Iceland' is easily one of the best looking, with the photography complementing it beautifully. The music evokes the spirit of the holiday affectionately and it didn't have a "bombarded constantly" feel, or to me it didn't.

While the acting on the whole was not good at all, Colin Dunnell and Patti Murin try their best and their efforts are game.

Everybody else flounders. Most of the acting is stiff, but on the other side of the spectrum there is the very affected acting of Kaitlin Doubleday as one of the most irritating female leads seen in quite some time for any film. Sparks certainly do not fly in the chemistry between her and Dunnell, didn't detect any and actually the chemistry between the whole cast seemed disconnected. None of the characters are that interesting or worth rooting for properly.

Moreover, the script lacks any flow or life. Much of it is pretty pedestrian and there is a lot of cheese. Worst of all is the near-non existent (when there is any it's very predictable), barely coherent and very dully paced story.

In summation, lacklustre but the scenery saves it from being worse. 4/10

The story is nothing special and the chemistry between the leads is weak. But the locations are beautiful, rescuing what would otherwise be a well below-average Hallmark movie.

One elephant in the closet is never mentioned, the shortness of winter days in Iceland. If it's supposed to be January (it's winter but the actual month is never mentioned) in southern Iceland (where all the locations are), there would only be 4.5 hours of daylight at the beginning of the month and 7 at the end. (The days would be even shorter in northern Iceland.) They spend far too much time doing daytime activities outdoors for the time of year.

Take the story outline of 100, no 1000, no even more than that, other Hallmark movies and flip around some details and set it in a most beautiful winter wonderland. I can't emphasize enough how overused the general story line is, from start to end.

As I've said before, when the story is not a factor, at least not a positive one, then look to the relationship building. Meh. Doubleday and Donell were OK together, but not that great either. There was a secondary romance which piqued a little interest but it was definitely secondary. The acting was OK also.

In this movie, it was the places they went featuring great scenery and some background and history behind those places.