The Magic of Lemon Drops

Hallmark has run their usual plots into the ground, so instead of saving "something" or a widow or divorce returns to their home town, or a wedding disaster, so Hallmark returns to FANTASY, there was a movie about a mixup by the "dream team" (and I'm not talking about the USA Okympic Basketball Team). Anyway, the story is about Lolly who works in a restaurant, her Aunt Gert gives her three magical lemon drops, she gets to experience what her life would have been like if she had made different choices and lived those unfulfilled dreams. She meets her old flame, Rory, who is now divorced and raising his daughter. The chemistry between the actors seems a tad lukewarm between the two. There is a coldness about the actor Lyndsey Fonseca that doesn't fit the part, the character needs more warmth. Lately, Hallmark is having problems with casting the right actors for the parts. The magic lemon drops reveals her life choices, Lolly learns valuable life lessons and the outcome is just so predictable! Another disappointment!

The review -- friendly, polite, somewhat sterile story about parallel realities, choices, roads not taken, consequences, and appreciating what is right in front of you, right now. Everything about the production is perfect. Which is both a blessing and a curse ...

Bonus Notes -- this is a Canadian film pretending to take place in the US. Something that was very common in the early days of Canadian film-making, but quite rare today. It suffers from all the common telltales and giveaways -- lighting perfect in every shot, like the Director just graduated film school. Everyone's clothing is fresh out of the laundry or dry cleaner. Not a smudge or spot anywhere. No recognizable actors, not one, very usual for a production supposedly taking place in the US. Dialog not very "natural," especially for the wisecracks and snappy rejoinders. Accents that don't quite ring true.

Conclusion -- Friendly, and includes useful Life Lessons. The inherent sterility of the Canadian production values blunts much of the impact and audience connection. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

This is one of the best Hallmark movies I've seen in a while! It's quirky, sweet, and charming, but I didn't find it too "cringey". It was a refreshing break from other Hallmark movies with their typical plot lines. I did find it refreshing that they didn't over-preach and have too many forced lines about lessons leaned. Most of the dialogue seemed authentic and genuine. The camera angles, scenery, and styling were great and seemed higher quality than other hallmark films. The main actress was also really enjoyable to watch! What an enchanting and enjoyable story about living out the "what ifs" of life!

The story is just a little bit different following the almost magic that has been part of several stories on Hallmark lately. The alternate reality is not unusual in a rom/com, but in this one there is more than one. I especially liked that those alternate realities didn't get overly hung up on the difficulties of the protagonist being dropped into a situation she has no memories of life leading up to that moment. There is a little bit, but Lolly isn't made to look like a total fool not knowing those things.

I especially like the second drop, but I won't describe it.

Lyndsy Fonseca and Ian Harding are great and have chemistry. It is easy to identify with them. The acting is good and so is the dialogue even without it being unusually sparkling. Instead both acting and dialogue seem natural. Ian Harding is growing on me.

There isn't a lot of heavy negative tension. And I like it that way. There was something about the ending I really liked. Was it because it was shorter and more to the point, less drawn out?

Another dumb topsy turvy Hallmark movie. What's the obsession with magic, the supernatural and sci-fi, there is nothing wrong with a good basic romantic comedy.. Rom-coms are an American thing, but they don't go out of style and are fun. Even European countries are enjoying US and Canadian rom-coms. Another bad script ruins the movie.

The dialog isn't good, too much inane dialog. Get rid of all the nostalgia and the past, focus on the present and look to the future. The location in Manitoba and filming locations used were nice and the cast is generally good, it's always nice to see Ian Harding.