Love in Glacier National: A National Park Romance

I'll admit, I watch at least 90% of Hallmark's movies. This was unfortunately just so-so for many reasons already pointed out in other reviews.

My main objection, though, was that despite the title, the movie had nothing to do with Glacier NP. In fact, they made it quite clear in the movie that they were at Fernie Alpine Resort in Canada, 150 miles north of Glacier. Since there is no downhill skiing in Glacier, it makes since that a movie about skiing had to be filmed elsewhere. But still, why lie about it? Heck, they weren't even in the U. S.

Oh, well. Sorry for the rant. Yes, the puppies were cute and the scenery was great. Just wish it had been the scenery I'd been hoping for.

As someone who has been going to Glacier National Park his entire life, I was looking forward to seeing scenes of the park. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. There was spectacular scenery of British Columbia, but there were only two references to the real GNP: Grinnell Glacier and Apgar (which is a town at the foot of Lake McDonald--there is NO "Apgar Gulch."). Furthermore, there is only cross country skiing in Glacier--the closest downhill ski area is Big Mountain (I refuse to use the new name "Whitefish Mountain Resort") near Whitefish. Also, motorized vehicles like snowmobiles are prohibited in the park in the winter. There are so many realistic story lines that could be made in the real Glacier National Park, that it's unfortunate they picked something so completely inaccurate.

I have been watching Hallmark Romance Movies for 15 years and they almost all follow the Pygmalion formula for a romance movie ( Awkward introduction , confrontation, recognition, romance , love , disaster, reconciliation, together forever ) - This movie was the same but with a technology twist that looked different but was the same - but what really made this Hallmark movie stand out from the "Drinking Syrup all women go to bed fully dressed sickeningly sweet shows of the past ) was that the lead was actually scene in a bikini for the first time ever on a Hallmark movie. I am surprised Hallmark didn't issue an advisory - as for the movie itself - the casting was better than average and so was the chemistry of the leads - If you are in for a feel good movie - I recommend it.

Great cinematography, actors, and an actual location shoot. Was this even filmed at Glacier National Park?? Unfortunately, the script wasn't the greatest. It was completely predictable which is fine but the ending was a abrupt and underwhelming. These movies typically are dependent on a disagreement to get the couple together but in this case, that disagreement basically went on for the entire movie. Chris was disrespectful of Heather's career until he suddenly wasn't. So while Heather tries to come off as a knowledgeable professional, her sticking with Chris for so long while he puts down her work kind of negates that.

And what was the deal with Riley and IVF treatments? No real resolution there either. Not all endings have to be super happy but this is Hallmark Channel. We watch the network to escape from reality, not to see it thrown in our faces. Where was Riley's happy ending? Or in her case, her Plan B? It was also odd that Riley was going through all this without her husband present. Why wasn't he cast? I kept thinking he'd show up at the lodge and surprise her. It was just such an unnecessary addition to the script.

This movie was also oddly sexual for a Hallmark movie. Some of the skimpiest bathing suits I've ever seen on the network--compare this with last year's Groundswell where Lacey Chabert wouldn't even expose her legs on the beach. And we get a shirtless Stephen Huszar which is fine but the close-ups of Ashley Newbrough with her hands on his chest are not what you usually see on this network. And we get 2 characters openly talking to and about sperm, in a public restaurant no less. I don't have a problem with this stuff but at the same time I'm not really sure what they're going for here. Who are scenes like this targeting? None of these scenes were in the trailer so you've got existing network viewers suddenly watching a movie with a more sexual tone than usual. It just makes no sense.

NOT! Why not just call it "Love in British Columbia" ??? The people at Hallmark think we're all stupid. Glacier doesn't have any formal ski resorts within its boundaries. Cross-country - yes. BUT no chairlifts for sure. So over Hallmark using places that don't even resemble the actual location. Another example is in The Christmas Train - which shows the actors gazing at the beautiful, rugged peaks outside La Junta, CO - which is on the eastern plains of Colorado at least 200 miles from any kind of mountain - and nothing rugged as shown.

So let's talk actors: Ashley Newbrough is a mediocre actor in every sense of the word. I have not seen a single movie with her in it that's she been good OR believable. AND PLEASE! No one goes skiing in full makeup INCLUDING fake lashes and lipstick. COME ON! Stephen Huszar was OK. Just passable. The young lady playing his daughter was delightful - she lit up the screen in every scene she was in.

UNNECESSARY and UNFINISHED storylines: Teagan Moss is the sister. She and her husband have been going through IVF. She takes a pregnancy test and it's negative. She's devastated - AND YET - the next day she's very chipper - hot tubbing and playing in the snow with the daughter. It's NEVER mentioned again. What was the point? AND her sister (Newbrough) never asks her about it? NEVER!!! Then there's the "nemesis woman." She obviously has the hots for Huzsar's character...and seems miffed he's not interested - but that storyline too is never addressed after she huffs out of the party. What was the point there? Totally unnecessary.

We also have the confrontation between Newbrough and Huzsar about her avalanche software. They never really discussed it in depth - but he won't support it - so she gets angry and decides to go home. OOPS. The airport is closed due to snow. So ... she and Huzsar's friend use it and freak out because they are on a search and rescue operation - and HORRORS ... there's avalanche activity and no one knew it without her program. After JUST ONE use - he's sold and asks her to stay.

One of the most contrived, silly storylines ever. Thank goodness they were all safe ... but still nothing on the sister's IVF thing.

Overall - I give it a 5 - for the daughter and the scenery.