Love's Sweet Recipe

I liked this movie well enough but it didn't stand out like some reviewers mentioned. Let's face it 90% of these movies are very much the same but in the end we like to be "transported" from our every day life. What I didn't like, and it may not seem to you, is the closed caption. I need that. It was so small and when the actors talk fast it really helps. It was tiny and I couldn't read it. I was thinking maybe it my television but I switched to a couple of other networks and I had no problem. Bold print and easy to read. It takes many departments to make a movie, not just what we see. It's like a brain and a body that work together. I may have gone from a five star rating to a six, possibly seven but I didn't like to work so hard to understand what they were saying.

Generally I much prefer these smaller scale pandemic-filmed TV movies to the pre-2020 ones, they seem more down to earth for a small-village-dweller like me. Whilst I'm defo not a chef, I can relate to both lead characters who are having to change to more realistic goals after unexpected setbacks / (family) heath issues etc. These shows inspire hope, especially important in the times we're going through. I'd like to see a sequel or even a spin off series where customers are uplifted by this story and go on to create their own happiness, despite other tragedies etc. Longterm disability and how people still live beautiful lives should feature more in this genre.

I'm not sure why they didn't go for the title to be the Rulebook of Love which was the running device throughout the movie.

The premise has echoes of some common themes. Courtney is spending time helping her family restaurant before she goes back to her life in New York. Jake is a washed up professional baseball player come home. They agree to work together to win a contest. Courtney struggles throughout to make something that will stand out.

The hook for me was the chemistry between Megan Hutchings and Damon Runyan. The chemistry came through in both banter and body language. At times it was subtle but it came through strong. And they had plenty of screentime to work that.

There weren't a lot of highs or lows or surprises in the story and the only tension besides the contest was Courtney's determination to return to New York. There's some smoke and mirrors in how she expected to have her family restaurant go from solely her and her mom as staff to having her leave. She mentioned hiring staff if she could make it successful, but if Courtney was the one who made it successful, then how would a different staff keep it going?

The next to last scene was a little underwhelming as the ending. The very last scene with the Rulebook of Love was more of a quick epilogue.

Sometimes the background piano music was distracting.

Lovely storyline with gorgeous outdoor surroundings. Talented acting. Nicely done feel-good entertainment. Not sure why the other person who reviewed this was so critical. They sound bitter. We watch a lot of rom-coms, and this was beautifully done. Great rapport between the actors, too.

I really enjoyed this movie. Sure, the story has been done before in various ways but this is a Hallmark type movie and we all know what to expect. If that's not your cup of tea, all good but don't write negative reviews and put other folk off a pleasant and enjoyable movie.