Home by Spring

A twist on the popular Hallmark "mistaken identity" trope featuring British actress Poppy Drayton (who is gorgeous) and Chicago Fire alum Steven R. McQueen.

I don't think McQueen and Drayton have ever starred in a Hallmark movie before. Their debut is impressive, their chemistry obvious from the very beginning. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that they're going to end up together - this is, after all, Hallmark, where happy ever afters are are a fait acompli - but it's fun watching them get there.

Beautifully shot in the picturesque Louisiana countryside, with a very good supporting cast including country music legend Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn fame and Mary Margaret-Humes, who I remember first seeing in Dawson's Creek. She is a solid actress and Brooks does a good job, too, even getting a chance to sing a song. Of course.

A Hallmark winner.

'Home by Spring' didn't leave me all that excited, with a premise that didn't really grab me and from hearing from word of mouth that it wasn't good. Still saw it anyway as a Hallmark completest, as someone who was very pleasantly surprised by the previous 2018 Spring Fever Hallmark films and because there have been films of all decades and genres that do not sound appealing on paper but turned out to be so much better than expected (was really hoping it would be the same here), so there was some hope.

Any amount of potential 'Home by Spring' had is completely squandered in a film that is mediocre at best and at times even incredibly weak. It has its moments and good things, but there are far too many debits and the worst of them are actually pretty terrible in execution. Of all the 2018 Spring Fever Hallmark films, 'Home by Spring' is a strong contender for the weakest and a major drop in quality from the previous two Spring Fever films that year.

The good things will be started off first. Poppy Drayton is very appealing as Loretta and is by far the best thing about the film, it may take a little time to feel much for her character but her character at least rings true and Drayton brings a good deal of charm to her. The supporting cast do competently with what they have, which is weak.

It looks good, Hallmark nearly always delivered when it came to the scenery and it delivers in this aspect here too. The photography complements it nicely. The music is pleasant enough.

Steven R. McQueen however for me was awful, his character is an arrogant hypocritical jerk, and pretty much stays that way (or at least feels it), and McQueen comes over as very stiff and smug, sometimes even unintentionally creepy. Other than Loretta, the only character the film tries to develop, the characters are not worth rooting or interesting and one of the film's most unrealistic elements was what Lorretta saw in Wayne (the attraction is completely lost on me). They have no chemistry together and don't seem connected.

McQueen, the uninvestable characters and the bad chemistry are not the only bad things. The dialogue is really stilted and has a lot of pongy cheese and sickly sweet schmaltz, also found it pretty bland. The story is similarly bland and has no charm or heart, it takes itself too seriously (especially with the character writing for Wayne) and is very pedestrian in pace. Not to mention that it is very predictable from doing nothing new with a formula that was tried and tested well before 'Home by Spring' was made. The direction lacks any kind of distinction.

Overall, mediocre with a few quite good elements (Drayton), a lot of bad and a couple of terrible. 4/10.

Paul starts right off with "I hate liars." I do too, at least stories based on lies and impersonations. (I also think a man who answers the phone of a virtual stranger has no room to talk.)

But there is something about Poppy Drayton as Loretta. She isn't the drop dead gorgeous glamorous diva. But the girl inside is sweet. Loretta is a bit uptight. For me, she was the only positive thing about this movie, but even her appeal fades. (Question though - how does anyone believe this spite who looks like a teenager could be the boss of a major agency?)

Steven R. McQueen as Wayne is a jerk. It seems like he goes out of his way to annoy. And does he care about anyone other than himself? Or does he have any particular talents? He even tries to sabotage what he knows Loretta is trying to do. Repeatedly. There is no reason for Loretta to like him in the least.

For me, this type of movie is about the chemistry between the leads. And most of the movie the chemistry between Wayne and Loretta was anywhere from terrible to fair.

The story is about what you'd expect until there is an interesting twist that livens things up a bit about 2/3rds. But overall - No, I don't buy it.

Kix Brooks performs a short song which I'm not sure would appeal that much to anyone not into that style.

A film in which the crumbs from different references are the best thing. Because, without be boring or bad, it is a Hallmark serie product. You know each step. And, sure, you hope be little different by yours expectations. But... . The couple made by Steven R. McQueen and Poppy Drayton is nice but not real convincing. Katrina Norman reminds a sort of Audrey Hepburn. Mary - Margaret Humes does her best and Vernee Watson ,William Shockley are good pillars for a poor story . So, choices, love, pretext for fake twists .

I enjoyed this one. Loved that the leads were not the regular Hallmark actors. These two - Poppy Drayton and Steven R. McQueen - were very refreshing. Their relationship was also age appropriate. Keep more of these coming Hallmark!