Un roman d'amour

Throughout my recently started Hallmark film completest quest expanding (so The Spring Fever, Summer Nights, Fall Harvest etc blocks on top of the Christmas films) an interesting quest but very mixed one, there was never the mentality of expecting a classic or the film in question to be flawless. Which never was the case. There was always the expectation of seeing a film where one can see at least some effort rather than merely cash-in level.

Effort that can absolutely be seen in 'A Novel Romace'. It is only the second 2015 Hallmark film and already that year has gotten off to a promising start for Hallmark. No Hallmark film seen yet has been great, though many has had many great things while having a few not so good ones. Which is the case with 'A Novel Romance'. Really liked the concept, which was cute if familiar, and the film does a nice job with it while never doing anything extraordinary.

'A Novel Romance' isn't perfect. It is let down by the very rushed and very silly final act, with almost everything happening too hastily and most of it not ringing true. Like most Hallmark films, the ending is a bit too neat.

Was expecting to be pretty predictable, and was not disappointed in this respect, very by the letter.

However, so much is great. It is a very nice looking film, one of Hallmark's best looking 2015 films in my view. The scenery really does entrance and the photography doesn't cheapen it at all. The music at least fits tonally and in placement and has presence without being over-loud. The dialogue is sharp enough and flows naturally, while also having the right amount of sentiment (not too much in quality and quantity).

Characters aren't complex, then again that shouldn't be expected watching Hallmark, but aren't too stereotypical and are generally likeable enough. The story may be predictable and not perfect in execution, but it is incredibly charming, sweet without being too sugary and very heart-warming. There is a nice lightness to it too on the whole. The cast are all solid, with Amy Acker being especially engaging. Very nice chemistry with her and equally charming Dylan Bruce.

Summing up, nice film. 7/10.

This was a really very good movie. James Welch Henderson Arkansas 8/18/2021.

There are many things about this movie that were good/very good: very good actors, good cinematography, good conflict, good choice of Portland, OR, and New York city locations (actually the movie may have been filmed elsewhere), and very good chemistry between the 2 lead actors. The only problem is the script, and it's a big problem. It's almost as if the screenwriter tried as hard as possible to write the most trite and cliché'd script possible. There's not one clever thing in this movie, not one surprise, nothing that would distinguish it from many, many similar romantic movies; well, except some of those movies at least try to put in a surprise, some unexpected twist, which then might lead to other interesting things, etc. Just a few changes to the plot, maybe some clever turn(s) or something humorous, could have made this movie far more successful.

A novelist and a literary critic meet on a plane flight to Portland, but they don't exchange phone numbers or last names. The writer, Liam (Dylan Bruce), was interested, so when he accidentally discovers her identity later, he tracks her down at her newspaper job.

Sophie (Amy Acker) is dealing with a recent very-public breakup from her ex, who was in the public eye, and she has trust issues. Dylan writes under a pen name and has been resisting the publisher's wish that he reveal his identity. As their relationship blossoms, they deal with their issues separately and privately. Eventually, each must reveal their concerns (with trust and real identity) if they are to truly build a meaningful relationship.

The chemistry in this Hallmark romance is enough to make the story work.

Look for Charles Dutton as one of Sophie's friends who helps her evaluate the new man in her life. And Camille Mitchell as Liam's agent, who adds a spark to the story.

This is a real story with heart and very little pretense. Both MC actors had very obvious chemistry. I highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in a deeper kind of romance. For a TV movie, it's there in many different ways. I see that it's for sale (as of this writing). For the first time ever, I'm going to buy a Hallmark movie since I want to be able to watch it again. And again... Thanks to everyone involved in this movie for what you created. You should all be proud.