Love in the Clouds

Only watched this because I live in Albuquerque and wanted to see how they showcased the town and Balloon Fiesta. While they did that just fine, I found the story and dialog incredibly hokey. I'm not a fan of Hallmark type movies, so I'm biased, but it was SO predictable and corny it was almost torture. Only high point was seeing the lovely Gail O'Grady who is still beautiful. Still would not recommend this movie, even with the interesting facts about Albuquerque and hot air ballooning.

It was a nice "advertisement" for the International Balloon Fiesta. See that instead of this movie. No more Hallmark movies for me, thank you very much...

The female star looks like her face is made of plastic that a child painted makeup on and her lips were too plumped up with something. The bleach on her hair is a terrible color and looks like straw and what's with the black roots? The hairdo itself looks like she just got out of bed. If it all wasn't so pitiful it would look like a joke. Why is Paul's hair sticking up? That look is long gone, thank goodness. Paul always looks great and his acting is wonderful. The balloons are beautiful and the camera work is breathtaking. I cannot finish watching. I think that if the female lead looked normal it would be a good movie.

The hot air balloons in New Mexico and Paul Greene back on Hallmark were the attractions. Having Lorenzo Lamas and Gail O'Grady could have been, but neither are old enough to play Paul's parents and both were rendered unrecognizable. Lorenzo is still attractive with white hair and a beard, but I still had to look up who it was. I also didn't recognize Gail. She and McKenzie were done an injustice by the all the makeup, botox, lip filler, and bleached blonde hair. And please stop with bushy black eyebrows on blondes - it's not flattering. Long story short, the story was buried under distractions!

This movie is a visual spectacle, at least at times. Less than a third of it is worth watching, the balloon parts. Some of it is incredibly beautiful. And even informative about ballooning.

The rest of it is totally formulaic. The story follows the general formula of the reporter sent to do a hit piece by an unethical producer. This boss keeps calling her way too many times and she is always negative. The inevitable conflict between the romantic interests is pretty much the usual. Some of the details follow the usual formula of meddling matchmakers. His parents and her best friend.

The epilogue is cheesy.

Unless you rarely watch this genre and won't be put off by the same old, same old, I recommend recording it and then vigorous use of the FF button to skip everything except the balloon parts.

Please, please, stop with the Botox and fillers! Two beautiful women turned into plastic Barbies, and not in a good way. Very distracting.

I was especially interested in watching this since I have been to the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. It is an experience that you should try not to miss.

Hallmark staple Paul Green is a favorite of mine and I will watch something just because of him. He is fine in this as are the other actors. I especially liked seeing Lorenzo Lamas as the father. He is still quite handsome! The chemistry between the two main leads lacked sparks. Maybe it was because I couldn't get past the lips. (Sorry) The two actors playing the two friends had more chemistry and were cute together. I hope to see more of Alexis Zollicoffer (Lisa) in the future.

Building a story around a balloon festival is a bit different and shooting in Albuquerque added to the movie. Thank you Hallmark for not trying to make Canada look like New Mexico. The story line was so, so. It would have been nice if we didn't have the usual trope of the boss insisting that the reporter get the story no matter how unethical it is. Can't the writers come up with something different? A reporter from Seattle doing a story on a balloon festival is told to dig up dirt on the balloon pilot. He is not famous and is just one of the many that are there. Why would anyone care, especially people hundreds of miles away? It's a stupid plot twist and very over used. Of course then there is the usual overheard telephone call, then jumping to conclusions because you walk away instead of listening to an explanation and then, making up with the final kiss.

I give this a seven. It's really a five/six but extra points for Paul Greene, Lorenzo Lamas and the balloons.