Romance with a Twist

This film had some issues, but it was fun to explore a different topic for a Hallmark romantic film and smart to use an actress with former ballet training.

Premise:Luna gave up her dreaming dance to help her family out in their construction business. Her best friend is responsible for putting together an arts festival that is pairing professionals with local talent...including her brother who is a famous Olympic gymnast and now does silk Aerials for a Cirque du Soleil-like show. He gets paired with Luna, agreeing with his sister to give her one week.

The two main actors were cute and the premise was did enough it was worth watching. While not my favorite Hallmark offering, I appreciate that they are trying new things.

I didn't know what to expect but it turned out to be a really good movie. Jocelyn Hudon absolutely steals the movie as she does all her own dancing and stunts. Hallmark should sign her to a long time contract as she is different than the other Hallmark actresses. Instead of a formula where everyone is happy and always polite, they went in a different direction with this movie. Hallmark did a wonderful job showing Jocelyn Hudon's dancing abilities as she was trained in classical dance and they allow her to really show off her gorgeous moves. I am not sure there are any other actresses on the planet who could have pulled this movie off. I really liked it.

From the start Bennett was somewhat cold. Luna knew how to deal with him though. I thought the car scene was sweet and realistic when he said he had a surprise for her. Loved when the prospective partners auditioned. So funny. Felt there was a lot of Luna with her family. The couple definitely needed a hug together when they danced at the festival, to warm things up before the lovely ending! Olivier Renauds facial expressions made me smile and the finale was super, especially as the music escalated and the couple climbed higher. It was a little slow in places but came together well at the end.

So good I'm giving this 7 stars, which I'm not sure I've ever done for a Hallmark romance.

Accept for one small thing, this movie was perfect. It was mission driven "gotta learn this aerial routine in six weeks because the annual small town festival DEPENDS on it." And then there was a beautiful performance at the end. I rewound the final performance no less than five or six times and put the song Catch Me by Thomas Bergersen on my YouTube playlist.

The hero and heroine looked beautiful together. The banter was funny. Nobody was annoying. The small town didn't have any of those "cute" quirks, which I usually can do without. ( I grew up in a small town and it was *nothing* like they show in these Hallmark movies.) This movie showcased a realistic small town atmosphere.

There was some tension and drama with the question of whether Luna could transition from dance to aerial silks. Whether she would stay in the construction business, whether the hero would leave town and continue to tour, etc. So I guess this was also a Work vs Love romance

There was a stepfather in this movie, which was a refreshing change from the widowed parent, which is the norm for a Hallmark romance.

I mean there was *nothing* annoying and everything to like about this movie.

There was just one little tiny thing, the sound was off during the performance of Give My Regards to Broadway so it looked like a bad lip sync performance. But otherwise I really enjoyed this romance.

The leading lady looks and sounds like Geena Davis! They have to be related. If not they should be. Talent and strong women. The man was perfect for this movie as well.

Hallmark is always great for giving a good movie but just wish they weren't SO predictable.

Why so many words for a review? Seems a bit much but I want my point made about Geena Davis. This girl should have been cast in the new Beetlejuice movie.

Like Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson look so much alike it's uncanny.

Amazing artistry in this movie so win win all around.

On a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being highest I'd give it a 7.5 😉.