Labirinto d'amore

This is a good feel-good Hallmark movie. Hallmark movies are feel-good movies with low drama, sometimes spiritual, happy ending movies. If you need drama, action (world coming to an end), mystery, sexy love scenes, Hallmark movies are not for you. This is a sugary warm apple fritter with coffee in a good ole Canadian coffee shop feel good, picker upper movie.

The location is Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The maze is located in a small town just minutes away from Winnipeg in the upper northeast area. That maze is real. It really happens. The main street shots with the beautiful buildings and bridge over a river thing are Winnipeg. And there's much more to the city. Skyscrapers, anyone?

Jessy Schram did an amazing thing; she had very little makeup on. Did you notice? She's one of those, hmm, not-so-knockout beauty at first site kind of girl. Without the aid of makeup, her beauty slowly penetrates your mind, and before you know it, she hooks you. Suddenly, you find yourself looking forward to close-ups... and for myself, I wished I was thirty years younger.

The chemistry between Julia Miller and Nate Perry was not over the top; you've got mail, impossible to find in real-life connections. The chemistry was simply natural. And that makes it easy for you, the viewer, to put yourself in their snowshoes. Typically, Hallmark has a tough time with chemistry, but this was acceptable.

Julia Miller and Nate Perry's acting was natural. In movies, one person completes a sentence and then the other starts theirs. One sentence here.... and another there.... and another. But in real life, we often start a sentence in the middle of someone's sentence. It's like, we get the gist, now for the next point. In several scenes, this movie did just that. And that's unusual. And refreshing. Once again, it's real enough that the viewer can imagine being there.

One thing I like, as a born Canadian naturalized American, is the phrases that popped up here and there by the Canadian cast. Nate Perry, in one scene, used the phrase, "Hometime." That's a phrase I grew up within Toronto and haven't heard since my move to the States (Chicago, Boston, Orlando). That's not surprising. One of the writers was from Montreal. So, for Canadians viewing, it comes off as a bit of a kick. While we're on the subject, Jessy Schram has a Chicago accent. Most of the cast have a Canadian accent. See if you can hear it.

The supporting cast was superb. Came across as natural and unforced. And they did what was needed, support the main characters without trying to steal the show.

Often, especially with Hallmark, you expect the shoe to drop two-thirds in. In this movie, it didn't happen. What did happen was character development. Julia Miller slowly fell in love with Nate, overcoming fear, and Nate's character developed to overcome rejection. The crescendo was typical Hallmark.

Which reminds me... I suddenly have a craving for an apple fritter and coffee... in a Canadian coffee shop.

I really like Jessy Schram, but this movie was slow.

According to Julia's boss she is lacking inspiration, the cheerfuless that she had when she first came into the city, so she sends her back home to make a story about the "charm of small towns". Once there she reunites with her family, her best friend Nate, and a few neighbours and friend.

I liked it. A lot. The maze was spectacular, that first air shot was beautiful. My first problem was Julia's parents. They are way too young. She clearly is not 20 years old. They always cast actors as parents and child who are probably around the same range of age. Julia and Nate were friends their whole lives. I love the "best friend to lover" trope, so they got me there. The actors had great chemistry. And not just the leads but the rest of the cast as well.

I'm not expecting much from Hallmark at this point: I mean, Julia's basket of fries was empty when she was in the maze and when she got out it was full. As far as they go, maybe they can do better but this was not bad at all. You had a plot, good chemistry and a make you feel good atmosphere (all I wanted was to be in comfy leggins and a fluffly sweater while watching this)

I don't care that we have literally seen it hundreds of times before, Nate going after Julia was so sweet. The whole scene was cute.

I'm not saying I will watch this again anytime soon, but I would definitely watch a sequel.

What kind of dog is Theo? He is beautiful and there is no mention of him.

I am sure that if you haven't seen a thousand of this genre it would be enjoyable. The leads are experienced doing this type of film and relate well together.