L'amour en coffret

This is Reel One Entertainment 2023 winter movie. Compared to their 2022 Christmas lineup, this one is actually a masterpiece. I am glad they didn't turn this is one into Christmas movie. It is light hearted comedy for some 2/3 movie, and it's executed well. Only later starts romance.

I was shocked that movie didn't have any technical issues which plague so many ROE TV movies. The only real issue is overused stock NYC footage to fool viewers as like so many times it was obviously filmed in Hamilton, Canada.

Carolina Bartczak was pretty good. What wasn't good was her clothing. I don't blame actress, but production - it was just awful most of the movie. Supporting cast was fine. The main actor (Chad Connell) was the only cast failure - not terrible, but meh at best.

Writing was pretty decent in Acts I and II, but at the beginning of Act III - I don't want to spoil anything, but it was beyond absurd! It was telegraphed what is going to happen, but there were other ways to create a conflict in Act III. It ruined light hearted comedy theme of the movie.

And obligatory don't watch trailer if you plan to watch the movie as like every ROE TV trailer is shows whole movie. It even shows absurdly created conflict!

This film could have been so much better!

Whoever was in charge of Carolina Bartczak's wardrobe and hair/wig, should be sacked! They were both such a distraction from a very average movie that needed all the help! The direction was poor and did the cast no favours, and some of the support actors were better than the leads, particularly Tanisha Thammavongsa, who made the best of her role. I sometimes enjoy watching a movie again to catch some things I may have missed the first time around, but this is not one of those! I really felt that watching this was time wasted and I cannot recommend it, even as a rainy day movie!

Listed as A Charming Valentine with original title The Love Subscription but it's the other way around as listed for viewing, until the opening of the movie starts. This is so annoying & GAC really sucks for the constant changing of titles last minute.

So far, the movies are mediocre & they'll have a tough time competing with Hallmark unless they stop copying everything.

GAC pretty much copies every format with the forced diversity & storylines (girl hates guy, girl starts to like guy, ex always shows up at the wrong time, new guy jumps to conclusions, argument, back to liking each other for a kiss in the final minute).

No chemistry at all between this couple & she clearly will be wearing the pants in the family, she pretty much controlled his company when she came over to 'help'. I get they want to show the F is smart & can improve things but it shouldn't happen by making the M look so inept (but I'm sure it's all by design).

In this style movie, it is usually the female lead who is outgoing, upbeat and even a little perky. Male leads tend to be reserved and harder to like. In this movie, Grant was the likeable one. He was totally upbeat and, for a guy, almost perky. Lillian wasn't totally withdrawn, but reserved by comparison. He is the likeable one.

There isn't a lot of depth to the story and no great highs or lows or surprises, but the story keeps the two leads together for a lot of screen time which enhances watching the relationship develop. Carolina Bartczak and Chad Connell have good chemistry. The dialogue is good. The sets are basic and a lot of scenes appear to be shot outside including what looks like real snow and vapor in their breathing. I hate the movies which are supposed to be winter and there are little piles of snow here and there which would never occur naturally. I didn't notice the background music which is a good thing.

The conflict is twofold. One is a common misunderstanding. The other is a little bit of a twist that involves a crazy mistake that seems very unlikely, but it serves its purpose and leads to a nice ending.

This movie isn't going to stand out as exceptional, but it is enjoyable.