Love on the Danube: Royal Getaway

My first thought was oh goodness, not another Hallmark Royal romance! However, full disclosure every time I say that I always watch them anyway and I'm glad that it didn't stop me from watching this one.

I love the chemistry between the Hero and Heroine.

I actually thought all of the supporting cast and characters were tremendous.

I was happily surprised, that for once, there wasn't a villain trying to sabotage the relationship. I always enjoy Catherine Discher, she was perfect for the role of Betty Stevenson.

It seemed that this Hallmark movie had more lighthearted moments, of course the typical heartache was there, but it was never overshadowed by the likable characters and watching their relationships develop.

Working on this set of movies and so far this second one was much better than the first. A little more details to the story, and an actual storyline at that. The first one I don't even feel like had a story line. I love that there's more humor in this one as well. For those who love royalty stories, this one is cute enough with him having to be discrete. To me it's always fun when they get to live a normal life for a while. I enjoy the couple little repeat characters, Betty and Teddy. Betty isn't as exaggerative as she is in Good Witch, which is a good thing, and Teddy is fun to see without a European accent. She can do it all and she's beautiful. I hope she stars in one soon. As always, I love when there's more than just the one kiss at the end, makes it more of a believable love story.

This movie was alright, with the Duke meeting a girl that didn't know his identity. Then in typical fashion, the drama is that a fake story - about their relationship - is released, she finds out and then the conflict is that he lied.

That's where the movie lost me. I mean, most women would be absolutely thrilled to find out the man they're attracted to is actually a Prince. At the very least, I'd think she'd want to be curious about why he's hiding his identity, but common sense says - if she has a brain at all - that she'd know why. Duh. But the movie falls into a typical unrealistic trap that I find most Hallmark movies fall into; where someone's dishonest, or there's some conflict of sorts and common sense is pretty much tossed out the window for everyone's lack of trust or inability to rationalize the truth.

I mean, this girl should have been calling friends and saying, OMG, you know who I met, but instead she's like, I can't trust you anymore.

She ought to think about things from his perspective. He has a reason for wanting to hide what might be the biggest secret in the history of secrets. Duh.

This movie could have been so much better if there was something more to the punchline than, I can't trust a Duke hiding his identity. Whatever. Get over it. Or better yet, maybe he ought to find a girl with a brain on her shoulders.

7.5 stars.

I feel like there were some enjoyable moments. Take this from a guy who has seen hundreds of Hallmark films, this one doesn't stand out, but it's still above average. At this point you'd think I would lack objectivity, what with seeing dozens of "royal" romances, featuring a commoner and a prince etc. And yet, I like this movie just the same. If it was three years ago and this was my first Hallmark movie, I'd probably rate it somewhere around 8.0 stars, not realizing how repetitive this trope has become, nevertheless, it's still a good movie. There is a clear chemistry between the leads. Either that or a total lack of chemistry, and I misinterpreted it.

The story has been done, but the only difference is the setting is on a cruise ship on the Danube. There is a recurring role of an older woman who takes this cruise year-round and was in the first installment of "Love on the Danube..." and it's obvious she is there for continuity of the series. I wonder if they plan on doing a third one. If so, that would be fine. I don't imagine they will crank out six of them like the wedding veil series, because it's not quite as grand.

Hallmark can do more wedding veil episodes if they wish. I think people would welcome it back. On the other hand, these Danube episodes are a bit lackluster in comparison, because there is no mystery or legend involved, just generic romance. But, for the last time, I must point out that this is a good love story. I highly recommend it. The acting, romance, and cinematography are on-par.

A "commoner" girl goes on a vacation cruise, trying to get away from work and recent break-up with her fiance. She meets a special guy, who shares her love for art. The end up together.

This film has good actors (which work together and make for a cute couple), decent film making and a proper execution!

SADLY, it is hurt by utterly formulaic structure. And it checks all the predictable checkpoints!! And I mean ALL of them.

He is a royal Duke in line for the throne(?) and keeping the secret (for some reason), charming high-points in their developing relationship throughout the trip, the borish low-point at the last third of the film, the "it wasn't real" line from the lead, the "you are special because you changed him", the helping hand from a third party to sway them back together, etc etc.. all concluding in a beautiful perfect happy ending.

It's okay and doesn't annoy. But the repetitiveness is tiring.

I'll give it a point higher than I would simulating this is the first movie I've ever seen.