True Love Blooms

Hallmark churn out these films at such a pace that perhaps it's only natural that the quality is variable.

When a very good one like this comes along though it's a joy.

There's a strong story being told here, the leads have good chemistry - those things alone separate the good from the great where these films are concerned.

Yes, you have to very much suspend your disbelief, but on the whole this was a very good Hallmark film.

Vikki George (Sara Rue) runs a 20 year old community garden in the city following her late father's footsteps. She's shocked when the garden is sold to condo developer Chace Devine (Jordan Bridges).

Both Sara and Jordan are fun comedic actors. They do their best to inject little bits of fun into this predictable Hallmark romance, especially Sara. Jordan may not really fit the Chace character. He's too soft. Chace should be harder as a business man. Nevertheless, the two leads are fun actors and they do have some fun here. Also I like the pretty flowers. As for the garden, the obvious solution is there from the beginning and predictable for anyone with half a brain.

It took me a couple of minutes to get into it, but the story and the two main characters grew on me steadily. The script feels natural and all the actors reflect that same naturalness.

Really Love Sarah Rue. This movie is cute, but so many people in it are such poor actors it makes it hard to watch. Sarah and Jordan are good but just not together. They just don't have that much chemistry. I think Hallmark is trying to push out so many movies that they are more interested in quantity and not quality. :(

I have watched the first half of this movie, and I must have heard the full name "Chace Devine" a few dozen times already. The writer clearly loves this fake name and doesn't allow anyone to say just half of it. It's really odd.

The plot is predictable. I know how the rest of the movie will play out, but I do think it's good enough to keep watching...at least in the background. I also like the lead actors. They aren't going to win any Oscars here, but they have a quirky, natural way of acting out their scenes that elevates them above the average Hallmark cast.

Worth a view, in my opinion, but keep around something else to do during the lulls.