Expectations were mixed here. Music is a big part of my life and this is the sort of story that is relatable to me. While country is not my favourite style of music, there is still a lot of love for it. Autumn Reeser and Jesse Metcalfe have both been good in other things, particularly Reeser who has been in a higher number of good films. Am not a fan of most of Hallmark's June Weddings films and that seasonal block has always been one of the more up and down ones every year since it was introduced, but there have been some decent and more ones.
Following on from the mediocre 'Perfect Match' and the pretty good 'Love, Again', 'A Country Wedding' is a winner. It is for me the best of the 2015 June Weddings films, helped by that it had the most appealing premise of the three, and also among the better June Weddings Hallmark films overall. Not to mention proof that Hallmark and country music do mix very well, which was also proven more than once since in other music-themed films of theirs.
It is not perfect, with some of the dialogue sounding a little awkward and sappy.
The film maybe could have gotten going a little quicker.
'A Country Wedding' has a lot of good things though that balance those not so good ones out. The best aspect is the music, which is just great. So infectiously uplifting and soothing on the ears and both Reeser and especially Metcalfe have very pleasant singing voices. The lip sync is also a lot better than most music-related Hallmark films, with there being a number of ones where this aspect has been sloppy. Reeser is like a ray of sunshine, while Metcalfe is a subtle easy going contrast. Really liked their truly endearing chemistry, that amused, charmed and heart-warmed. The supporting cast are all solid and the characters never bored or irritated me.
Furthermore, it looks good. Especially the scenery. The script has some awkwardness but is suitably light-hearted, the rapport between the two leads made me smile. The story may be formulaic and not exactly original, but its energy, charm and ability to lift the spirits more than made up for that. Not to mention that it was to me easy to relate to. The ending, though foreseeable, is sweet and doesn't ring false or feel contrived.
Overall, very nicely done. 8/10.
