Very, Very, Valentine

As a Hallmark fan, I'm very familiar with Danica McKellar and Cameron Mathison (whose best Hallmark role was in the Murder She Baked series, sadly no longer). This was a great pairing and I believed in their friendship from years ago that sustained until the present. However, as one reviewer noted, these leads are in the 40's and I did feel as if they each were trying (not too convincingly) to play their parts at least 10 to 15 years younger than they really are. While I think it worked for this film, it would have been even better if they portrayed their characters as their own true age and discovered love after decades of friendship. That would have been more believeable. I love Ms. McKellar in Hallmark, however, she needs to stop playing the wide-eyed innocent girl in her 20's. Although Ms. McKellar looks fantastic, we all know she is in her 40's and viewer her age would love to see her characters played to her true age. Not to mention she is a brilliant mathematician in real life and I think that alone has great potential for a future Hallmark movie. A very, very good movie that I actually did end up watching again because of its sweetness.

I read other reviews (Danica doesn't do her hair, the hired stylist does) and thought another review was needed. I loved this movie (and I am not a big Hallmark movie buff). The story line was unique, albeit a bit 'Cinderella'-ish with him leaving the boutonniere behind. The idea of a botanical garden was a refreshing change and that it's head botanist was re-connecting with a florist was destined, ala the florist's parents, and sweet. The acting was good and in fact I thought Damon's personality to be a bit snooty and aristocratic, not at all suited to Danica's character. What I did have trouble believing was grass in NYC in front of any store and other than in Central Park. I also questioned the level of snow as NYC would keep things cleared, for the most part. And, the setting of NYC could have been plausible if the exteriors were not so 'small town', precisely what Hamilton, ONT is: small town. All in all, it's a delightful movie and the ending was touching, and most unexpected.

It's very easy to bash films like this. Yes, they are predictable, but what they offer most of all is escapism - and at the moment don't we need a bit of that?!

This is a simple romantic comedy, the sort that in our age of Marvel and other action films, don't get made any more.

With wonderful chemistry between the two leads (including the ever lovely Danica McKellar) this story about a florist taking risks to find the right man, only to perhaps realise he's closer than she thinks is excellent.

I cannot rate it highly enough.

A problem I have with these movies, are the little mistakes, most of which have been mentioned. One that hasn't been mentioned, was glaringly obvious in this one. Why, when they have been friends for years, didn't Helen recognize Henry's handwriting? Friends that I have known for that many years, I know their handwriting, if they give me an unsigned card or a gift, I know who it is and don't thank someone else.

Other reviewers here have commented on Danica McKellar's long hair. Why shouldn't she have long hair at any age? If it looks good (and it does), and mostly, if she likes it, that is her choice. Just because a woman reaches a certain age, doesn't mean she has to automatically chop off her hair.

linda-plant2 lamented that Damon Runyan should get the girl for a change. Off the top of my head, he got the girl in: 'One Starry Christmas' 2014. They do seem to give their corral of actors/actresses each a chance at getting the girl/guy. So hang in there, I'm sure he will get the girl again.

'Very, Very Valentine' is the second 2018 Countdown to Valentine's Day film from Hallmark. The first being 'My Secret Valentine'. It stars two of Hallmark's most popular regular actors Danica McKellar and Cameron Mathison, Mathison is always worth watching even in the not so good films but McKellar can be a bit too more of the same in her typecast roles. Hallmark do vary when it comes to their Valentine's Day films, which is not a surprise as all their seasonal blocks are inconsistent.

Luckily, 'Very, Very Valentine' is a winner and as far as the Valentine's Day films from Hallmark go it compares favourably. Similarly it compares favourably when it comes to talking about Hallmark's 2018 films, without being among the very best. It is a good representation of both McKellar and Mathison and one of the films to see if usually McKellar's appeal is lost on you (have seen this quite a lot in reviews for some of her other films so that's why it's being mentioned).

By all means, 'Very, Very Valentine' isn't mind blowing. Story-wise, it is very formulaic, where most plot points are foreseeable well before they happen (due to Hallmark doing them a number of times before). And also on the lightweight side, meaning on the slightly thin side and also where it is all wonderfully pleasant and polite with lots of charm but also with not a lot of depth or goal.

Occasionally the dialogue is on the corny side and some of the editing is a little disorganised and in the wrong order like.

However, there is a lot to like about 'Very, Very Valentine'. McKellar is charming and perky in a role that may not be too much of a stretch for her but it's not dull or annoying. Mathison is every bit as appealing and always looks relaxed and positive in energy, as well as showing his usual subtle natural charisma. Their chemistry is warm and charming, and never feels forced. The supporting cast are good too, especially Damon Runyan as the sort of Hallmark cliche character that can be played too much of a jerk but here played in a way that refreshingly makes it easy to root for him.

Also thought that the scenery was beautiful to watch and that the photography complemented it nicely, never cheapening it. The music didn't come over as over-powering or used too much. The film is assuredly directed, while the script mostly flows well and has an appealing light-hearted-ness. The story is cute and heart-warming and even with the predictability being high there is also a cheerful energy that stops it from getting mundane and although prematurely telegraphed the ending is also surprisingly touching. Characters that didn't sound like that they would be appealing conceptually did turn out to be a lot more interesting and easier to get behind than expected.

In summary, not great but a very pleasant watch. 7/10.