Surprised by Love

My main reason for seeing 'Surprised by Love' was for Hallmark completest sake, started watching their work as undemanding escapism (or at least that was the intent) back around 2019. Focusing solely on their Christmas output for a while and then watching overtime their other seasonal blocks. Have seen Hilarie Burton and Paul Campbell in other things, and while Burton is take and leave for me Campbell has often been watchable and more. Tim Conway in a supporting role appetised too.

'Surprised by Love' was a very well done, surprisingly so as the premise wasn't that exciting, start to Hallmark's output. Not just one of their best 2015 films, but perhaps one of their best overall and one of the few where there is very little to be critical of. Whereas this reviewer has found at least a few things to criticise in even the Hallmark films she's liked, which actually has been a lot. 'Surprised by Love' wholly succeeds at its aims of being light hearted, charming and being undemanding escapism.

It is a little bit of a slow starter story-wise with the dialogue not always being as tight as it could have been.

There is so much to like about 'Surprised by Love' though. Burton is perky and cute as a button, not over compensating or phoning in. Campbell is every bit as easy going and has understated charisma and effortless charm, so his appeal is always understandable. They have a very charming and well formed chemistry that doesn't move too fast or feel thin and underused. A major reason for 'Surprised by Love's' success is Conway, who is an absolute blast.

Hallmark can have characters that are dull or are really annoying, or have ones that have negative character traits taken to extremes with no development or rushed 180 decisions. Not the case here, despite them being cliched they have personality at least and don't have anything overdone. The film is attractive visually, especially the scenery, is directed with assurance and the music appeals on the ears and isn't the over loud or over constant stuff heard a lot.

Furthermore, the writing mixes genuinely funny, playful humour (Conway having the best moments) and warm-hearted, non sugary drama a lot better than most Hallmark films, with it being pretty expertly. While predictable and not always perfect in pacing, the story more than delivers on the light hearted-ness, warm heart and charm, with it going at a lively enough pace. It doesn't feel too neat either.

Overall, surprisingly very well done. 8/10.