My Birthday Romance

Although not strictly a Hallmark movie but that is the genre that we're talking about here. As such the plot is pretty well worn and there are better versions floating around. The acting is decent as is the chemistry between the various cast members. Dialog slightly above average.

I watched the whole thing and suffered no stomach discomfort and no regrets in the end. Didn't even hit the fast forward once. If you're in the mood for a little romance movie you could do worse.

Apart from a couple of errors in dialogue regarding the time frame and the pro's soufflé naivety, this movie is pretty realistic (eg the obsession with age 35 cut off when it comes to finding a partner). There's about the right amount of awkwardness in the 'fake' couple and the other relationships - the family are loving and a bit annoying, even the leading lady pressures her 'little brother'. It is all-age friendly, especially with three generations included, and highlights some of the cross-generational problems that wouldn't exist if people just stopped and thought about how we make life difficult for others through thoughtless comments etc. Whilst the pretend partner plot is not original, this movie still has merit, especially the acting of Jesse Hutch (who is almost unrecognisable with his covid lockdown-locks).

Even for this type of so predictable-romance-kind of annoying movie that you just put on while you're checking your phone, this one is just terrible! Starting with the terrible toxic family - I mean this is a movie from 2020 and we're still talking about pressuring a successful woman into a relationship, because "how could she be happy if not with a man???".. I'm so annoyed with this movie I took the time to review it!!!! Not great acting but also not terrible... But the story is sooooo ******* bad!!!

Bad dialog. Bad story. Bad acting except for Charles Cottier who plays the brother Will. He reminds very much of a young David Arquette.

It's just a terrible and painful movie.

The fake boyfriend (fiance, sometimes even husband) is an extremely common premise in movies and romance novels. Everyone has a good idea that there is going to be a falling out and then how it's going to end.

I enjoyed the couple. I'm not familiar with Ali Cobrin but I really enjoyed her character. I've seen plenty of Jesse Hutch. These two fit well together. They seemed natural in the role they were playing.

Some minor negative points: the sets were obviously low budget. Once when Callie and Will are dancing, she is only slightly moving and at times it doesn't look like he is moving at all. He might have swayed a whole 2 inches back and forth.