An Unexpected Valentine

7.3 stars.

I would classify this as a laid-back romance that is unusual for Hallmark. I've seen Hallmark produce movies like this but not in many years. This is a tribute to some of the older stuff they did maybe back around 2005 through 2012 give or take. It doesn't fit into the usual formula, however, it still has the same feeling of all the usual movies they produce. They simply inserted a completely foreign storyline, utilizing the hallmark blueprint.

It's the story of a man who delivers things in his large SUV around NYC. He also transports people, somewhat like an Uber driver. The rest of the film is about an adventure between the man and the woman as they try to find the owner of a lost engagement ring. They drive around the city for several hours. They both have prior engagements that they need to attend so they are on a time crunch.

It's a very laid-back and feel good film. The romantic aspects didn't knock me off my feet, but it was original enough to entertain without the usual over used tropes.

The story is not important in this movie. The allure is in the time spent on screen between Lacey Chabert and Robert Buckley. The chemistry is great and the two of them are completely in sync. There are great lines. There are great moments. There is a little physical comedy, but not in a big way.

Mostly it is just two people who never met before on a quest in downtown New York City to find the owner of the engagement ring that was left behind in Finn's car. Along the way, they make a lot of stops. Some are in hopes of finding the owner. There are others involving deliveries. And a couple of rest stops.

If there were any of the usual check-off items for a rom/com, there were barely noticeable. Oh, there were the main character's close friends egging them on to pursue love, but I really didn't notice anything else cliche. Unless you count the inevitable.

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.

Okay, right off the bat, she gets into something that's, you know, euivalent of a Uber or lyft, she says she's not going too far, so she was alright sitting in the back. He drops off one couple, then he drop off another lady and then I guess her time to get dropped off. First of all, they pulled over so she can find her missing phone, but yet it just happens to be somewhere he always parks. She finds a box, which she says an engagement ring. Then he decides he needs to replenish snacks for his other passengers. The thing to me is well, why did she have to go in the store with him,, like when is he going to drop her off?

I really like both Lacey Chabert and Robert Buckley, who are paired well as Hannah and Finn in this Hallmark Valentine's Day film. The premise is Finn picks up Hannah as her ride share driver. Hannah is the last one picked up and when she's dropped off she discovers that someone left an engagement ring in Finn's car. She proceeds to convince Finn to retrace his day's deliveries to find the owner on this all important day...Valentine's Day. Along the way Finn takes photos, his real passion, and the two get to know one another.

I have always found Robert Buckley to be very genuine in any role he plays, and this was no exception. I enjoyed watching him and Lacey Chabert flirt on screen, the two have smiles that just light up the room. This was an enjoyable and flirtatious film with no villains and no one trying to sabotage two people who seem to be hitting it off in the big city. I think romantics like myself will enjoy this film.