An Unexpected Valentine

You know how formulate these things can be. A few minutes of heavily expositional dialogue where the characters say things to each other that they already know, strictly for the audience's benefit. A series of contrived events designed to illustrate the quirks of the leads and their apparent incompatibility. Gradual attraction. Then, at 9:35, one of them says something on a phone call that the other one overhears and misunderstands. Followed by reconciliation.

Not this one. This found a fresh path, with reasonable obstacles and a valid payoff. Very pleasant and unexpected. Still, I have one concern: Why did the radio DJ have to pull a 12-hour shift?

The movie was cute but it seemed kind of long. These are two of my favorite Hallmark actors. And they didn't disappoint. I really liked the fact that there was no tragic incident to make them break apart and then get back together at the last minute as in a typical Hallmark movie. They did, as usual save the kiss for last as in all of their other movies.

One more thing that didn't sit well with me was the fact they both had events to get to, but they sure took their time on their stops on the way. Who would stop and bake cookies.? I did like the fact they played familiar music when they were at the dance club.

Hallmark really knows how to deliver the goods! Their first premiere in February is An Unexpected Valentine, featuring the beloved Lacey Chabert alongside Robert Buckley from Chesapeake Shores. When Hannah (Chabert) and Finn (Buckley) cross paths on Valentine's Day, they embark on a whirlwind adventure through New York City to return a lost engagement ring and make sure another couple's day goes off without a hitch. Chabert recently lit up screens in The Christmas Quest, marking her fifteenth holiday film for Hallmark Media. She's also been in A Merry Scottish Christmas, Haul Out the Holly, Groundswell, and the Wedding Veil trilogies. Plus, you can catch her in Hot Frosty on Netflix. It's easy to see why she's a perfect fit for these feel-good TV movies-she brings so much charm and grace to her roles.

And let's not forget about Robert Buckley! He played Evan Kincaid in the last two seasons of Chesapeake Shores and has been in a bunch of Hallmark flicks like The Christmas House, Love in Store, and Blind Date Book Club. He's also known for his roles in Hart of Dixie, One Tree Hill, and Ghost Whisperer.

This movie is a delightful and laid-back rom-com that's a blast to watch!

Hallelujah, a Hallmark movie with a different storyline. Lacey is adorable as always but the story is so unique from the trite, just slightly different than the one before it, movies Hallmark has been making, and remaking again and again.

About the only thing you can predict in this movie is that the two main characters, Hannah and Finn will end up together. The adventure that the two embark on includes a lot of fun, unexpected, and yes, maybe not very realistic moments at times, but hey, what's wrong with a little fantasy? Especially around Valentine's Day. I think the script is well written and the stages and props are quality. I think the only downside is that when you look forward to a Lacey Chabert movie, one always expects enthusiastically I might add, multiple wardrobe changes. Somehow Hallmark managed a complete movie with only one dress lol. Good job Hallmark and the entire cast!

With a whole host of Hallmark movies that are hard to differentiate from each other; this one doesn't just step out of the box, it leaps. And the leap pays off.

Excellent and original script, charming characters, some romance & humor and it was shot beautifully.

As the characters drive through NYC, searching for the owner of a ring, they experience all forms of Valentine's Day - couples in various stages of their relationships. It's done with fun, instead of the typical schlocky romance you might get in a movie like this.

Robert Buckley and Lacey Chabert are really good, letting us watch their attraction grow as we get to know them through one evening of various Valentine celebrations.

I can be cynical when it comes to these movies, but this won me over. I loved everything about it.