'Memory Book' (2014)
Opening thoughts: 2014's 'Memory Book' did sound very charming even if the plot synopsis was nothing earth shattering. My Hallmark film completest quest (which has gradually overtime included Lifetime and UPTV), that is still ongoing with no intent to stop just yet, has been a very uneven endeavour but an interesting one with some real winners. Luke Macfarlane has been good in other films (especially his later work), though his films are uneven like with a vast majority of Hallmark regulars.
His performance in 'Memory Book' is no exception, and the film itself impressed me quite a lot. Not quite one of the standout viewings of the whole Hallmark completest project but of the early 2010's films it is one of the better ones in my view. It is not earth shattering or anything out of the ordinary, but it was watched by me in the want of something charming, light hearted, touching and heart-warming. 'Memory Book' succeeded in all four of those areas on the whole, even if not every single area overall quite comes off.
Bad things: 'Memory Book' isn't perfect. There is admittedly nothing new story wise. It is very easy to tell what is going to happen before it happens and the ending is the pretty typical Hallmark film sort of ending (meaning easily telegraphed and on the too neat side) not in doubt.
It is a slight film too, meaning that there are times where it drags a little.
Good things: Despite those few things, 'Memory Book' is a charming, heart-warming charmer that succeeds at a vast majority of its aims. One of the biggest strengths is the very winning performance of Macfarlane. Very subtly charismatic, very natural and very honest. Luckily, Meghan Ory (another relatively Hallmark regular who has also done good work in a hit and miss filmography) is every bit his equal, performing with a lot of heart and charm. Have always liked Adrienne Barbeau, ever since her great voice work on 'Scooby Doo on Zombie Island', and she is her usual reliable self. The characters are more than merely ciphers and easy to root for.
Visually, 'Memory Book' looks nice. It's not drably lit, is cohesively edited and the locations are made good use of and photographed in an easy on the eyes way. The music is not constant or overpowering. The dialogue doesn't have too much cheese and doesn't fall into schmaltz, it's amusing and sometimes movingly delivered with spirit. It is very touching later on. The direction is more than capable and while the story is far from perfect it is light hearted and heart-warming, with the sentiment never becoming too much.
Concluding thoughts: Overall, very well done.
8/10.
