Midway to Love

A nice feel good movie, well acted by the main two. Would watch it again.

The constant production line of Hallmark's mostly formulaic movies means that it is often the presence of established actors like Danica McKellar, Lacey Chabert, Brennan Elliot or Cameron Mathison which make the difference between fun and watchable or a bland marshmallow experience. Selecting a film with unknown leads almost then becomes a game of chance as to whether the film will be engaging or will require a hasty exit after 30 minutes.

Midway To Love is such a film, with unknown leads and a micro sized cast to carry it along. The result though is an unexpected triumph mainly due to the gigantic sized heart at its centre.

Rachel Hendrix (as Rachel) and Daniel Stine (as Mitchell) are both small town characters who escaped to the big time with differing results. Rachel made it big in New York and never returned, Mitchell didn't and returned home empty handed to teach instead. Their subsequent reuniting is handled very sensitively and you are drawn into their world as they try to reclaim some of the magic that carried their friendship through school. In particular, Stine does a great job portraying the pain of someone who has gone from being the high school hero to a real life zero but has then re-built his life as a popular teacher in town.

The interplay between Hendrix and Stine is authentically performed and you actually feel these are real people with real lives who once loved each other. There is also some solid support from Joe Gatton as Rachel's doctor Dad who as the town doctor somehow manages to live in a palatial mansion with a sweeping driveway.

The film has standout moments - the restaurant scene with the two leads lost in a dance to a lovely tune from Beth Dean called, aptly enough, The One That Got Away. The dialogue scenes next to the river bed are filled with reminiscences and an underlying sadness for something long gone

Overall the micro cast and limited locations give it a feeling of being a play rather than a film. Even the obligatory cute kid adds depth to the plot.

The ending of course is pure Hallmark but it doesn't matter since the proceeding 90 minutes contain the important bits about finding and losing love and then finding it again.

The network wants to franchise Dr. Rachel August's tv show, but there is a catch...new producer and they want to pair her with some crazy, ridiculous internet sensation which would would make this serious doctor a laughing stock.

She goes home for a week's vacation to Midway to visit her dad and figure out a way to get out of her five year obligatory contract. In Midway she meets her childhood sweetheart who is back in town and working as a fourth grade teacher...and who has a ten year old foster daughter. Her father who is also a psychiatrist and a widower, gives her some really good life advice about how your career isn't everything and how life and family are important.

This was a sweet, quirky second chance romance in an adorable town. The two leads have wonderful chemistry and a believe-able romance.

I am surprised that Hallmark would pick up an independent film like this. They are hit and miss, but I enjoy them because they don't follow formula. Some small favors in the wake of covid I guess. There is the basic premise, woman goes back home and reconnects with old boyfriend, but Hallmark doesn't have the patent on that. Some people will find this boring because they are not used to seeing something that quietly focuses on two characters rather than alot of silly, contrived and overused situations. Thankfully this is missing the evil bf/gf, perma-smiles, town festivals, baking contests, and saving the small business that actually went extinct about 3 decades ago. Maybe Hallmark can get a few clues from this film.

It does have the pitfalls of a low bugdet - the horrid tertiary characters and inappropriate music. Loud jazz piano while strolling through the woods? Awful. But I will forgive that because while none of these movies are realistic, this at least is plausible and sweet. I enjoyed the story and the leads' acting. Unlike some real life Hallmark couples, this married acting duo manage to connect and portray actual emotions. No cheesy embarrassing declarations here. Good job.

Despite what other reviewers have said - this is a nice, feel good movie. Doesn't have the glitz and glamour of most Hallmark movies - no polished Hallmark stars. It's an independent movie picked up by Hallmark. But it is a cute movie - very feel good. The actors are likable. The story is good. I watched it when it first aired on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries last year - and just watched again on a free Hallmark Movies Now weekend. I still like it ...

UPDATE: I've watched this movie numerous times. It's still enjoyable. The leads are now married in real life (and now have a little boy). It's still my go-to feel good movie. No - it's not perfect ... but it's very watchable and still feel-good.