Love Struck Café

The storyline and setting were charming as always, but I felt that Megan was miscast. For someone who was supposed to be SO great with people, she came across as cold and unsure of herself, and looked way too old for the role. The male lead looked younger and not a match at all for Megan.

This is the third dud, I believe in as many weeks, in Hallmark's Harvest Fest premieres. This does not bode well for future Hallmark Saturday nights. I only hope they put most of their concentration, quality-wise, into Countdown to Christmas.

Megan has a yes sir personality and her boss makes a totally unreasonable demand that she bail him out in 3 days for what he couldn't do in who knows how much time. She should have stood up to him and told him so because clearly whether she succeeded or not, she wasn't going to like it there. But she goes home intent to do his will and immediately starts saying yes to virtually everyone who asked for anything, most of which diverted her from her most important task. At times she didn't even seem to care that she had a deadline as she sat around in a waitress outfit chatting with the other waitress. Apparently she didn't even notice that her firms design destroyed the beautiful landscape it was building on. Megan had a good heart but was a total wimp. Basically the entire setup for this story was horrible, even worse than most romance movies which we expect and allow to have some unrealistic aspects.

Poor Andrew Walker. He was good. He tried to have chemistry with Sarah Morris and did to some degree. I frankly didn't notice whether Morris' acting was any good because I so much disrespected her character.

Of course the ending is totally unrealistic too, but it would be spoilers to discuss what I hated about it.

Fun from start to end. Andrew Walker delivers the charm. The film is bright with colors and life, upbeat, wholesome and makes you feel good. Most films can not do that so this is one of the best.

I thought this was a better than average Hallmark film, with some lovely points made about 1st love, change and staying true to your beliefs.

The boyfriend character was quite annoying and full of himself, so that only made me root for the woman's childhood flame more.

Overall, lovely stuff. Yes, these films follow a formula, but they certainly are enjoyable.

There is always at least one reason for wanting to see a film etc with me, in 'Love Struck Cafe's' case it was Andrew Walker. He is one of Hallmark's most regularly used actors and very popular, and to me the appeal is more than understandable. As he is one of the better and more consistent regulars, despite his filmography being very up and down. The premise did intrigue, could feel myself relating to the issues that were being explored, and had real potential to work.

'Love Struck Cafe' however is another one of those films with a premise that sounds good but the execution underwhelms. Of the three 2017 Fall Harvest films seen, the others being 'Falling for Vermont' (which to me was good and executed its equally serious theme much better) and 'Harvest Love' (which left me very conflicted), 'Love Struck Cafe' for me was the weakest and it is a case of one performance being significantly better than the film itself.

Walker is the best thing about it. His character was very frustrating, especially when he makes a decision that repeats the relationship's past history and shows no regret at the end, but Walker made a conscientious effort in bringing charm and heart as well as nuance. Did like Cassidy Nugent too, she isn't too cute and she isn't spoiled or annoying.

It is a nice looking film, with beautiful scenery that the photography doesn't waste. There are touching and charming moments and it starts off quite well. Did think that the music was quite pleasant and what is said about change and following your beliefs were relatable.

Sarah Jane Morris didn't do it for me though, found her character too cold and neurotic and didn't buy her nonsensical motivations in regard to her job (which made her every bit as frustrating as Walker's character). Morris fails to bring much warmth to the role and seemed uncomfortable. She and Walker don't illicit much chemistry together and the conflict felt forced, it would have helped if the relationship was developed a lot and if the film didn't try to do too much through one or two too many subplots.

Also found the ending very unrealistic, the pacing is rushed from trying to cram in a lot in too short a space of time and what happens is too convenient and not warranted. The dialogue is not natural and can be too soapy. The pace is erratic, sometimes fine, sometimes draggy from over stretching and then too hasty in the over-stuffed final quarter. The supporting characters are flat and the lead ones have motivations that are vague and improbable. The most likeable character actually is Nugent's.

Overall, didn't click enough for me regrettably. 5/10.