Am personally not a major fan of Jodie Swetin, tending to come over as cold and not always natural looking (obvious in another 2019 Hallmark film 'Merry and Bright'). In the right role, like in 'Entertaining Christmas' she can be likeable. David Haydn-Jones is a lot more appealing, though his Hallmark output is hit and miss. My main reason for seeing was for Hallmark completest sake, with 2019 being an inconsistent year (typically so).
'Love Under the Rainbow' wasn't a great film, with a few relatively major flaws that could have been prevented, but by 2019 Hallmark standards it has a lot of charm and has a good deal to like about it. So a generally positive opinion here. Up to this point of the 2019 batch, where only the Winterfest and Countdown to Valentines Day films had already aired, 'Love Under the Rainbow' is closer to being in the better end than the weaker one.
The good things will be listed first. Swetin gives one of her better Hallmark performances and comes over as heartfelt. Haydn-Jones is easy going and sympathetic and Dakota Guppy also performs with heart and no over-cutesiness. There is some nice development to the characters, with none of them being too perfect or having overblown character flaws, there are plenty of similar type characters in other Hallmark films but they don't come over as ciphers and feel like real characters in real relatable situations.
Family relationships are well handled and worth relating to, very little treacly or heavy. It is a good looking film, especially the scenery. Something that Hallmark often delivered on, even in their misfires. The music isn't over-scored or too constant. The script isn't awkward and has a few genuinely funny lines amongst the many very sweet and touching dramatic ones while keeping sentimentality at bay. The story is not innovative but clearly knew exactly what it wanted to be and do, and has lightness, warmth and charm. As well as well meaning honesty.
Having said that, there are shortcomings in 'Love Under the Rainbow'. Would have liked more chemistry between the two leads, it is there but it is too low key and could have done with more spark. The relationship itself could have been stronger too and it felt underdeveloped.
Did find the sentiment too cloying in spots, like with the rainbows which is relied upon too heavily. The final quarter is rather silly and there is no doubt how everything is going to end. The effects for the rainbows do look cheap and jar.
Concluding, charming. 7/10.
