Midway to Love

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.

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 acting was OK and there was some beautiful Kentucky scenery, but adding to the basic premise was not well done. Character development and interaction needed a lot of work.

There is absolutely no bias against Hallmark. They have made plenty of above average and more films, and that is including this year. They have also done quite a number of below average and less ones. 'Midway to Love' did sound quite cute, despite being a scenario that felt done to death with Hallmark long before this was dreamt up. Both the leads are relatively new to me, so don't have much overall opinion on them. Good though to not have a prolific Hallmark actor/actress for a change once in a while.

'Midway to Love' is one of those watchable but not particularly great outings. Not one of the worst Hallmark films from that year, but also not one of the best. As far as that year's Hallmark Movies and Mysteries batch goes, this was one of the middling efforts and when it comes to Hallmark it's neither terrible or great. Merely unexceptional middle of the road quality with an equal mix of good and bad. Worth a one time watch, not one that holds up to repeat viewings.

Am going to begin with what 'Midway to Love' does right. The acting is well above average, with both leads being truly admirable in a very appealing way. Rachel Hendrix particularly with a more interesting character. Did like Daniel Stine's subtle natural charisma and the low key but genuine chemistry they have. The supporting cast do well.

Furthermore, 'Midway to Love' looks lovely. The scenery particularly is a marvel even. The music appeals on the ears and is used without being too loud or overused.

Despite all that, there are shortcomings. It does contain a lot of awkward and corny writing, including between the two leads. While the characters don't irritate, they are on the one dimensional and cliched side with too little development and some static and too forelorn character interaction.

Moreover, the story is dully paced and over-formulaic, nothing here is surprising or new due to seeing it many times in other Hllmark films and better.

In conclusion, unexceptional but watchable. 5/10.