Return to Office

7.7 stars.

I am pleasantly surprised by the outcome of this film. From the title, and what it looked like the story would amount to, I was prepared for a dull experience full of nowhere conversation and the usual Hallmark stuff.

The story is not particularly clever, however the way it was navigated was a bit different than usual. There were not the dramatic, tense moments and the interrupted kisses, and all the other usual formulaic ingredients. Instead, they played it off more nonchalant and easy-going. We didn't have to deal with some big reveal where one of the leads is massively disappointed in the other, leading to a temporary falling out, only to be reunited at the end for the kiss.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how this one didn't follow the usual blueprint. Enjoy. And, by the way, the leads were wonderful, charismatic and had great attraction.

I'd take unemployment over working for that weirdo. Their job atmosphere makes cubicles look cozy and inviting... the whole thing gave me PTSD flashbacks from my former office life. Also, I really wish they'd hire actual artists to produce the "art" rather than using cheap software/AI to create bad, obviously inauthentic sketches.

I'll never understand why Hallmark has to start every movie with one or both leads acting so cartoonishly obnoxious that the viewers are instantly turned off. I get the need for character development, but we still have to LIKE these people if you expect us to spend 90 minutes rooting for them. Not much room for subtlety here, I guess.

One more thing: anyone else bothered by the dude who's just one bad razor stroke away from rocking the full-on Hitler?

The movie is a takeoff of many movies in the past about secret friends, either pen pals, email pals or other technology pals. The leads are likeable and fresh and give good performances. The supporting cast is good as well and the story is , while formulaic, at least modern in its setting. Then comes the nits to pick. This is one of the largest tech companies in the world and these two people are the supposed right and left hand of a merged company Chairman. And they have to share a desk in the middle of a crowded office near a kitchen. I mean has anyone involved in this ever actually worked in a corporate environment? It kind of makes the initial premise ridiculous but they keep it up. All in all with a watch.

This one is a lot like some of the latest Hallmark movies... good cast, but not the best writing. The start is tedious and the entire movie seems a bit too much contrived. It finally gets going in the last 30 minutes. The female lead is as submissive as anyone can get... beyond any reasonable expectation of such. It's not until near the very end that she becomes a real person. I was just so annoyed by how much of a pushover she was... it reminded me of me, but by that age she should have grown more as a person. The boss seemed to be more of a caricature of a manager than a successful company owner.

This movie is a clever take on the popular premise of "You've Got Mail". And the actors do a good job with it. It follows some of the same themes where the two build a relationship both face to face and only by text. Then the texters want to meet. And one of them learns the other's identity. Besides sharing a desk on every other day at the same company, there is also a fresh twist in that two retirement home ladies start meddling.

Just when you think the relationship story and the obvious secret are about to climax, there is a major development on the business side. And this leads into the climax of the romance. I thought the climax at the restaurant made a little too much of a leap. Both characters were expressing thoughts and emotions that hadn't quite been fully developed, at least not for the audience. And the ending was almost squished into the climax.

Janel Parrish and Scott Michael Foster have good chemistry and the acting is good. The dialogue is good. I loved the line "Am I the last one to the Bach party?"

Walter, the head boss, and Chad, the HR guy, were not only annoying, but their characters were way too stereotyped and one dimensional.