Valentine Ever After

I'm a big Autumn Reeser fan and this was a nice change of character. Usually she plays charming, lovestruck roles but this was a truly comedic role for the most part. Her facial expressions during the various snafus are funny without even speaking. That's good acting when you can express an emotion to the audience without words. I admit the plot is pretty contrived and when the movie moves from comedy to serious romance in the second half it kind of loses something. Her sidekick in crime is also appealing and has a flair for comedy too.

The 2016 Countdown to Valentine's Day films were mostly quite good, and of a more consistent standard of most of the succeeding years' Countdown to Valentine's Day batches. With the only major misfire being 'Dater's Handbook', which for me was one of the worst Hallmark films from that year, and 'Appetite for Love' was slightly above mixed feelings. Also saw 'Valentine Ever After' for having seen Autumn Reeser and Damon Runyan in other things.

'Valentine Ever After' is mostly a winner. It isn't great and has its flaws, but it also has a lot of very good things and among the better 2016 Countdown to Valentine's Day films along with 'All Things Valentine' (though this has the more appealing, if admittedly more typical, premise. Much better than 'Dater's Handbook' at any rate. If asked whether 'Valentine Ever After' is recommended, the answer is yes. 2016 was a very uneven year for Hallmark, and luckily this is one of the hits.

It has its issues. The story is patchy, the predictability and silliness at times getting too much while the final act is contrived with a too neat ending.

Also found Runyan out of his depth here surprisingly, here he looks unusually stiff and has very little personality, coming over as dull and over serious.

Can't fault the rest of the rest, loved the perky charm and down to earth quality to Reeser's performance in a role that plays to her strengths very well while Eric Johnson excels against type. Don't usually associate him as a romantic lead, but he is very likeable and charming and has a sweet and natural chemistry with Reeser. Vanessa Matsui enjoys herself without overdoing it. The characters are engaging and easy to connect with, with the sole exception of Runyan's who is an over serious bore and unattentive.

Furthermore, it pleases visually. It is beautifully photographed and can't say anything bad about the scenery. The music at least fits and doesn't feel as overbearing, over constant or repetitive as some Hallmark scores can be. The script is the right amount of light hearted and heart-warming, with some non-mushy serious moments and genuinely funny ones as well. The banter is playful but not overwritten or hostile. The story is rarely dull and it has a warm heart and light hearted charm.

Overall, very pleasant and well done if not anything that blows the mind. 7/10.

This movie is every nature-loving girl's dream. The plot was well-written, down to her connecting with her mother's memories through the horses and nature. It was absolutely beautiful in every way, and Autumn Reeser is one of the best Hallmark actresses out there!

The plot seemed a bit ridiculous at first but I just laughed it off and especially enjoyed the country music, dancing and cowboys. It was a little difficult to see Eric Johnson as someone other than Jack Hyde (Fifty Shades series) but I'm sure that's just because I haven't seen him in much else. I also really like Autumn Reeser, who always seems effortlessly charming and down-to-earth.

If you don't like sappy clichéd romantic movies then don't' watch Hallmark movies. Serously. Don't watch and then post negative reviews about how sappy and clichéd the movie was. Hallmark is the place for those of us that want family friendly sappy romantic comedy/drama. In my hey day give me a vague plot with no actual ending and I was happy, if it came out of France I was in heaven. Now? Give me Hallmark. I have no idea what has happened to me lol. If you do like Hallmark movies in general, this is a really good one and in my top 10. I love the plot. I love the two main actors and the chemistry they showed in this movie. Big fan of Autumn Reeser. Wasn't familiar with the male lead but he was perfect as a cowboy of few words. I even loved the sidekicks such as the socialite friend who doesn't eat carbs...she just about stole every scene she was in. I just noticed that Dylan Neal was one of the writers. Great Job! Didn't know that when I first saw it (yes this is one I'll watch over and over), very impressed.