Falling in Love in Niagara

That should have been the name of the movie. She is probably one of the worst heroines Hallmark ever created. Maddie is next level, and not in a good way. Her fiancé is a piece of work. Their interaction in the beginning screamed red flags. Her personality is quite vexing, and it continues as she takes her sister on her honeymoon because Jason, the jerk, ended their relationship.

The main lead is fine-probably one of the best parts of the movie-but they didn't have an ounce of chemistry.

The icing on the cake was the end when Jason demanded he and Maddie get back together, and she agreed. What?!?! After he treated her poorly and continued to do so, she went back to him and shattered the tour guide love interest. I actually screamed at the television.

It truly was annoying, even when she told Jason to peace out. The scenery was amazing. That's the only plus.

I only watched this movie for the scenes of the falls. What is interesting is she spent a week there when pretty much all the activities can be done in a couple of days three at the most if you want to rush it. The cable car ride is realistic there are times when you can get on it and you are the only one on it. What I don't understand is why they didn't do the journey behind the falls or check out Marineland. They also glossed over how long the lines can be and how long of a walk it is to the viewing area at the power plant. The best view of the falls is by doing Journey behind the Falls. Unless you go in winter or fall you will never find the area by the falls that deserted. I also don't think they used any real Canadians, there wasn't one "eh" said in the entire movie and not one scene of anyone eating gravy on fries. What sort of adventure doesn't include a helicopter ride. As far as the actual story is concerned, if you've watched a Hallmark movie before then you already know what is going to happen.

7.8 stars.

A quirky woman gets dumped 5 weeks before her wedding and is persuaded to go on her honeymoon anyway; but instead of going with her fiance, she lets her older sister tag along. While in Niagara, she ends up falling in love with a man who is dealing with his own emotional baggage. They don't get along at first (go figure), but eventually she warms up to him in spite of his standoffishness, and he tolerates her eccentricities. He is a tour guide who likes to be spontaneous, and he helps her be more impulsive and adventurous (she likes to make lists). She doesn't realize what a catch she actually is, because her fiance has belittled her for too long.

Hallmark finds it fascinating to paint a picture of a stunningly gorgeous and sophisticated woman as being nutty and unorthodox (she is somewhat of a control freak). No wonder her fiance has had enough. Although the actress makes the character totally endearing, a real person would make anyone crazy after a few years.

This is not how life works. We don't find women like this exhibiting these particular traits. It just doesn't mesh with reality. And then she meets a fun-loving and insanely good looking man, but he's just a defeated and disheveled shell? Again, it doesn't ring true, at least, not in the sort of environment or circumstances portrayed in this film.

Unfortunately, this installment of the Hallmark universe (I think this is Hallmark) is so eerily similar to so many forerunners of its kind. Frankly, I think they were foaming at the mouth to film in Niagara falls. I can only imagine it's probably one of the most expensive locations in the world for permits. I'm betting it was all filmed in the Canadian section. I know the skywheel is in Canada (online maps show it in Canada), but for the rest of the footage, it's all conjecture.

But whatever, I like the actors, because they were all charismatic and entertaining.

Madeline's (Jocelyn Hudo) fiancé breaks up with her just before their wedding because she is not spontaneous. Her sister Harley convinces her to visit their honeymoon spot, Niagara Falls, anyway, since the accommodations were paid for. And it would give her a chance to show him that he was wrong about her.

At the falls, the two women go for their arranged tour, and Mike (Dan Jeannotte) is assigned as their guide. Things do not go smoothly, and Madeline---who really is not flexible or spontaneous---complains continuously. Fortunately, Mike does not give up easily. He mends their fractured relationship and spends considerable time convincing Madeline that she can be adventurous. She slowly learns to live outside of her comfort zone.

The best parts of the film are the numerous shots of the falls and the surrounding area. It's like a panoramic travelogue that, no doubt, will spur actual bookings to the Niagara area.

Madeline is a type A kind of person, she likes color charts, everything planned to the minute. So, when her fiancee leaves her five weeks before the wedding all her plans go out the window. She decides to be more adventurous and go on her planned honeymoon with her sister.

There she meets Mike, he is adventurous and just let's life flow. They have a meet cute, maybe not to so cute, and they later meet when they discover he is her tourist guide.

The movie started out great, it developed great, they go on great adventures and it's fun. The actors have great chemistry. I really enjoyed their banter.

The ending was disappointing for me. It makes total sense if you consider the journey the characters went through. But I expected better from Madeline. And maybe Mike deserved better.

I totally recommend this. It follows the classic formula of a Hallmark movie.