Season for Love

Great happy movie - it's not easy to get a good work life balance, but this story inspires doing just that.

Pleasant Hallmark movie with likable stars and cast set in the Texas town of Red Rock. Most Hallmark movies are shot in Canada and not on location. One issue I found was how the actors pronounced the word of the smoker, the Staubach, named after the Dallas Cowboys QB, Roger Staubach. They pronounced it Staw-buck and not Staw-bock.

Have liked both Autumn Reeser and Marc Blucas together in other things, and considering that they are here in roles perfect for them and ones they do very well there was no doubt that they would be at least good. Also didn't have any doubt as to whether they would gel, not just because of them having characters that play to their strengths but also that the types of characters they have that are seen a lot in Hallmark films have not been an uncommon pairing and it has gelled well.

'Season for Love' may not be a great film or one devoid of flaws, but it's very charming and light hearted and doesn't disappoint on the whole. The 2018 Summer Nights films varied ('Pearl in Paradise' being an example of a winner and 'Love on Safari' being an example of a misfire), and luckily 'Season for Love' is one of the best. It represents Reeser and Blucas very well, individually and together, and succeeds a lot more than it fails which is what matters at the end of the day.

Beginning with what is flawed with 'Season for Love', the film is imperfectly paced. It takes a while for the story to find its footing, with not much happening and the momentum isn't there at first. And then the last 10-15 minutes or so are rather rushed in structure and in what happens (unrealistically quickly).

Also did find the ending too hasty and too pat and admittedly there is never any surprise as to what happens next.

Reeser and Blucas are both immensely engaging and neither overact or underplay, always involved in the drama while looking relaxed. While they may not electrify together and the relationship itself could have had more development, they gel beautifully together with nothing feeling contrived or too muted. Also had no issue with their characters, no overblown character flaws and neither are too perfect. Same with the supporting characters, that are solidly played across the board.

It is a nice looking film, particularly the scenery. The music is not too constant or repetitive, even if there is not much that leaps out. The script flows very well, and has a nice light hearted wit and the more serious moments don't feel melodramatic. Despite imperfect pacing and being predictable, the story is still very charming and has a lot of heart, appreciated too that there were no forced conflicts and that nothing felt extraneous.

Overall, very nice film if not great. 7/10.

The, well, hallmark of Hallmark movies are sweetly predictable plot lines and this one is no different. But what sets it apart is the easy, natural acting from all the principle characters (Marc Blucas in particular) and the chemistry between the two leads. I also appreciate that, despite the two leads competing against each other in a cook off, it's all just light, friendly banter. There are also no weird love triangles, no jealous exes, and no one getting jilted. It's a delightfully fluffy, feel good watch!

A cute story with attractive stars. Somewhat predictable, but very entertaining.