Very, Very, Valentine

The core story in "Cyrano" is his unspoken love for Roxanne and willing to do whatever it takes for her happiness, even if it means coaching someone else that she is attracted to. That is pretty much what happens here when she meets a mysterious new guy and her old friend from college tries to help out, even though HE has always loved her.

SHE is a florist who also breeds new varieties. HE is a Botanist but with the local Botanical Gardens in financial trouble may need to move on. However HE gets her to enter her yet unnamed new rose hybrid in the big contest.

The new guy, a lawyer working with clients to turn the Botanical Gardens into new condos, turns out to be a dud, just like in "Cyrano" and it is up to her old friend to wake up and realize SHE and HE belong together.

This is a pleasant Hallmark movie but lacks some of the zippiness of the better Hallmark movies. My wife and I enjoyed it at home on DVD from our public library.

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.

We've been consistently watching Hallmark's Christmas movies for at least ten years now, but very seldom paid attention to the rest. We branched out a bit this year, and discovered to no surprise at all that all of their movies are very similar ... it's just that the Christmas movies throw in a Christmas theme which may or may not have much to do with the story.

But Cameron Mathison and Danica McKellar are two of our favorites in the Christmas movies, so when I happened to spot this on the schedule I flagged it to record. We're happy I did. The movie was as charming as these two actors consistently are, and the story was at least a BIT different, as these two romantic leads are best friends without a clue they're really in love ... that is ... until Mathison thinks McKellar is attracted to a mysterious man from a costume event and tries to make the match ...

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.

Every part of this movie was as I expected it to be. That being said, it still had the feel-good charm that Hallmarkers are famous for. Worth the watch, I'd say.