Love, Classified

Set in New York but filmed in Canada, this Hallmark movie doesn't quite follow the common Hallmark story arc. Some of it is silly in spots but overall it tells an interesting and entertaining story with good characters.

Emelia Bloom travels home for a reading of her latest novel and a book signing. Both her adult son, an artist, and her adult daughter, who owns a flower and plant shop, are surprised. She had been gone five years, right after their dad, her husband, died and the children had heard little to nothing from her.

So, much of the story is mom trying to reunite with her two adult children. Her son seems more willing, her daughter is really a hard case.

Melora Hardin, from here in Houston, is very good as the author and mom, Emilia Bloom. As a side note, way back when she was a teenager was chosen to play Jennifer, the girlfriend of Marty McFly in 'Back to the Future.' However, when Eric Stoltz was fired and very short Michael J Fox was brought in, she would have been too tall so she didn't get the role that went to Claudia Wells. Funny how random events can have such an influence.

Anyway my wife and I watched this movie at home, streaming on Amazon Prime, we enjoyed it.

I nearly gave up on this in the first few minutes with gen z and ads thing as it was quite annoying, however this evolved into a refreshing story and film.

I loved the development of the storyline with the mother, from the normal shallow character, she showed hidden depths to her personality and the actor played it with a fluff and lightness, not dwelling too much on the health issues.

The two romantic leads showed chemistry and it was a nice, gentle approach to their romance. Both actors certainly have a future! I loved the supporting cast, although it is quite sad to see one of the two previously Hallmark lead males only doing a cameo as a barman. Older women watch this too. The mother/old friend romantic story was lovely to see. Overall, a well balanced and written film, which will appeal to all ages.

Loved the fast paced modern storyline. The connections become apparent as the movie proceeds to tell the character's stories. It didn't flow well at certain spots in the story when it just jumped ahead in time, but overall I thought the story was well written. Love and family relationships are always complicated and this movie addresses these aspects in a unique manner.

I've been binging several hallmark romances since the Covid lockdown started. A majority are, in my opinion, formulaic. Love, Classifieds is the first one that I've seen that is seems real. Less restrained, spontaneous, not-so-perfect-&-shiny. To me it's a refreshing take. Even this movie makes a statement about that. Love is unpredictable, murky, imperfect & real. So much more rewarding. Loved this movie! Highly recommend!

NOTE: Would love it if they made it a series. Just saying...

Author Emelia Bloom (Melora Hardin) is coming back to her home town during her book tour to try and reconnect with her children whom she hasn't seen in 5 years. We follow her, Taylor and Zach's point of view of their lives and their reunion. Zach is an artist and is currently working on a mural for a bookstore and Taylor has her own plant shop.

I didn't know what I was walking into and I absolutely love it. We have a cameo from Paul Campbell (I love him) and from Matthew Kevin Anderson who is a Hallmark frequent flyer as well.

I thought it was quite refreshing from what Hallmark usually offers, several storylines intertwined that wrapped up in one. And most importantly, that apparently the homophobics didn't understand, it is not the love story of two strangers or two lovers who reunited but one of the purest love there is: one between mother and child.

What I loved was that it is the story of real people: there is a LGTB+ couple, the dificulty of coming out to one's family (barely acknoledged but still there), the struggle of loss and health issues., the grudge against parents, competitive yet supportive siblings, you know, real life stories?

This ending leaves room for a sequel, which I would watch.