Falling for You

Hallmark TV movies are edited and written to fit into a 2 hour time period, including commercials; that is really the problem here - there is too little story, so it moves at such a plodding pace. I've seen Taylor Cole and others in the cast in a variety of Hallmark movies, and they are fine, they are good actors stuck in a very relaxed screenplay, with direction that gives the impression they're reading off teleprompters. Check out the cast resumes on the Hallmark website and I would suggest you use them as a reference to some of the good work they've been in.

Hallmark writers seem to think that things like bake sales (sorry bake off) or starting a baking business on the side can solve all kinds of financial problems. At least it's an original idea to use it to save a radio station.

The acting is OK and the chemistry between the leads is OK, but neither really stands out and grabs me.

It's a pretty simple story. There are a few heartwarming moments when, as is often the case with Hallmark, the ideals of community through small time life are highly celebrated. Parts of the climax surprised me a little.

As part of Hallmark's Fall Harvest, this movie definitely excels at emphasizing the autumn atmosphere it's aiming to immerse the audience in. Each and every room a character enters is full of fall decorations, leaf garlands, gourds and pumpkins, and when paired with plenty of stereotypically fall activites such as apple picking and baking, the film totally succeeds in putting you in the mood for the season! The small town charm is also in full force with neighbors who all know each other and a bustling main street. Another plus is that after playing many icy, business-oriented characters, lead actress Taylor Cole comes across as much warmer than usual in this role., if not a bit juvenile in her pushiness and lack of any financial knowledge.

Unfortunately, the movie falls apart a bit with its logistics. The radio station, which urgently needs a financial boost, is such a loosey-goosey operation (employees wander in and off the air as they please, an "ON AIR" sign is nowhere to be seen, and an intern does little more than stare at circuit boards) that it takes the audience out of the story a bit. The station also relies on the city for its funding, rather than ad revenue, which this station seems completely oblivious to. Even stranger is how the main character, Taylor Cole's Lacey, manages to rope in her love interest to be, Zac, played by Tyler Hynes, who is in town strictly to work (he frequently has phone calls with a coworker who, despite being in a busy, bustling office space, refers to their project as a small and struggling start-up), to join in with her Bake-Off, a fundraising event for the radio station. The "deal" she strikes with him is that she will promise to teach him how to bake in return for him helping with her finances, and at no point does the male lead pick up on the fact that this deal benefits Lacey alone. He willingly submits himself to baking lessons and sessions of financial advice -- sessions, during which, Lacey refuses to accept his professional advice -- for no good reason. Outside of the Bake-Off, Lacey lives with her aunt in her guesthouse, where she routinely bad-mouths guests and walks into the kitchen for breakfast in the morning in her pajamas while guests are present (!).

However, there are a few twists along the way that don't make this movie entirely predictable. Along with the aforementioned autumn ambience, the movie is worth a watch, although isn't a strong contender for a rewatch.

I was fully prepared to hate this movie based on the lower rating, but was pleasantly surprised. I loved it! The chemistry was natural and effortless between Cole and Hynes, and for once there was a couple of unpredictable moments...something usually not seen in typical Hallmark fare.

Taylor Cole was beautiful as always, and she is charming without even trying to be. Hynes is an unknown (to me, at least) and just like in the one other movie I've seen him in, he grew on me. Both times I couldn't understand how he was leading man status, but he really has a magnetic quality that drew me in, and I can honestly say he is probably now one of my favorite Hallmark actors. Super charismatic.

I definitely recommend watching this one, especially those of you who are suckers for sap like I am.

Relax people, this is a romance and it's Hallmark... it's what they do! I actually found this movie to be one of the more enjoyable ones. There are small towns like this one portrayed in real life, my hometown is small and has lots of "small town" festivities throughout the year! I thought the lead actors had really good chemistry together. I enjoyed the plot in regards to "chasing your dreams" or "stay and play it safe"... In my opinion, I did not care for the supporting characters, perhaps because there really wasn't any story development for them and the acting was fair. All in all, I enjoyed it! The male lead, Tyler Hynes reminds me of an actor of my generation, I'm 54 but I just cannot recall. He definitely has some "swagger" lol ... in a good way, he's handsome. Good job to all.