Love's Complicated

What a fun and unique way to address the issue of managing conflict and people-pleasing while maintaining the Hallmark wholesomeness!!!! Holly Marie Combs and Ben Bass as leads have a really fun and understated romantic dynamic that you are left wishing for more. In addition the side characters are diverse and interesting in a light and wacky fashion.

I've been a people-pleaser most of my life, but now I'm just here to be a member of this forward progress team of movements that help us improve our life game. I used to do the same and go out of my way to avoid conflict. I hated conflict, but now I believe some of that brings out clear change as well. So my ideas about conflict have changed. Conflict can deliver the necessary changes needed to move forward in life. Confronting others (outside of me) in a limited fashion now instead of arguing with anyone. To me, being with more happier people is more pleasant in my opinion, than being with unfocused anyone. I'd much rather be with a much happier unfocused person, than an unhappy, unfocused person....that's double trouble! I can't deal with both unhappy and unfocused. So my focus is to do my best to include the happiness of others (in my focus), so we all can have some happiness. So yes, just like this movie, I have the same desire to keep the people around me happy. It just make more sense to me. So the movie was more about resolving inner conflicts, all the while she is writing a book called 'My Life As A Doormat'. Ironically, a doormat is something people walk all over. And that is what can happen to unhappy, unfocused people...resulting in a lack of control in one's own life and others controlling it instead. I have learned how to nip that in the bud for myself, thankful!! Clever script-writing! Well thought out and different for Hallmark! Sometimes, Hallmark choices are really outside of the routine box and I love that. Thanks Hallmark!

Have always watched Hallmark films with an open mind but also always without expecting too much. Some films have come off much better than expected, managing to make something appealing from unappealing or basic premises. Some are more or less what was expected in both good and bad ways. Then there are some that really don't live up to expectations and do so many things wrong. My expectations were in neither category this time, only expecting something watchable.

Something watchable this reviewer absolutely got. 'Love's Complicated' may not be a great film or an award worthy film but that is not to be expected, was expecting sweet light hearted fun at least and got that absolutely. That is from personal view though as Hallmark films have not connected for all, but one has to know what to expect or be in the right mindset. Hallmark have made some not so good films absolutely, but they have also made some worthwhile ones and 'Love's Complicated' is one of those.

'Love's Complicated' isn't perfect. It is formulaic, with pretty much what is expected mapping out as expected, meaning that there are not many if any surprises.

Did feel too that the final quarter was on the too rushed and too neat side, which is actually not an uncommon problem for Hallmark.

However, 'Love's Complicated' is worth seeing still for the appealing. Easy going performances of Hollie Marie Combs and particularly Ben Bass. Their characters are worth getting behind even with their flaws and they have genuine, natural chemistry together. The supporting cast are solid with no exception.

It looks good, especially the scenery which is lovely. Other Hallmark films fare a lot worse when it comes to having ill fitting and intrusive music, neither of which were an issue really with me here. While the script is not Oscar worthy material, it at least has a natural flow and doesn't come over as too cheesy, schmaltzy or waffly. Generally the story has a warm centre, is light-hearted and doesn't feel dull.

Concluding, nice film. 7/10.

Leah Townsend (Holly Marie Combs) is in a rut. She's struggling to write her second book after a successful debut with a book about her childhood as a senator's daughter. She's reluctant to confront her bland boyfriend Edward about their stagnant relationship. She avoids conflicts and gets signed up for a conflict management group. She's annoyed at being struck with her nemesis, critical shock jock Cinco Dublin (Ben Bass).

She hates him. She loves him. It's classic rom-com and fits perfectly for Hallmark. It's funny that rom-com tropes become conflict management. Combs and Bass are essentially second tier players sent to lead the team. I like them as actors and they have a fun chemistry. Combs is always good at being cute infuriated and Bass has a great devil-may-care attitude. This is a formulaic TV rom-com movie and there is nothing complicated about that.

Well written, great casting and acting. The film is humorous without being silly and the romance is mature, not sophomoric.