Love, Fall & Order

Hallmark movies are perfect for a Saturday evening after steak and wine, you don't have to be totally alert to enjoy them.

This one involves a dispute between adjacent landowners in this small Vermont town where everyone knows everyone else. An older deed indicates the property lines might not be where they think they are. The two lawyers who get involved happen to be old high school competitors, she was the valedictorian by 0.10 point over him. In high school he was nerdy and he secretly had a crush on her all those years ago but she didn't know that. He matured into quite an attractive hunk. And kind and generous.

Hallmark veteran Erin Cahill is the New York lawyer, Claire Hart, her dad's farm is one of the disputed properties. Trevor Donovan is the Stanford lawyer Patrick Harris who came back home because he enjoyed that life more than the corporate rat race. The other property is his aunt's.

The movie is only about 80 minutes, it plays out much as one would expect. This is a good movie for anyone who wants a nice story without sex, violence, or foul language, something hard to find these days.

My wife and I enjoyed it at home on DVD from our public library.

7.4 stars.

How many of these films do they change the titles on? Can't they stick with a movie name and just not budge for once? Anywho, we have a woman visiting her hometown and her father's farm only to find out there is a land dispute in the works between an old "flame" and his aunty and her dad's farm which are right next to each other. He stumbles on an old deed, appears to show something different, she disagrees, of course they are both lawyers, I mean it wouldn't be Hallmark if there wasn't a crazy coincidence... They fight for land, they are way too agreeable with each other... In the real world there would be bickering and underhanded backstabbing at every turn, mark my words. Funny how Hallmark makes these relationship so easy going, breakups are smooth, deadly rivalries are resolved by a smile and a handshake, and even with them kissing at the end. Nah.

A cute, somewhat typical Hallmarker. The characters were well-cast and the addition of the cute dog was great!

What a fun movie. The leads had great chemistry. The best friends were fun also, and Gregory Harrison is always a plus. It was nice that even though the characters were competitive they were also likeable. Kudos to Erin and Trevor for a pleasant and nicely acted Hallmark movie.

Erin Cahill is a Hallmark regular and has shown more than once her likeability, have not liked every film of hers (i.e. 'Last Vermont Christmas') but others have left me pleasantly surprised. Am a lot more mixed on Trevor Donovan, with the right material and leading lady he is charming but in colourless roles he is stiff and bland. 2019 was a hit and miss year for Hallmark, their best work being very well done and their weakest being awful, the Christmas output showing both extremes.

'Love Fall and Order' is much closer to being in the very well done category, though not quite there. It was on the whole a very enjoyable film with a nice concept, and leagues better than the previous 2019 Fall Harvest film 'Over the Moon in Love' (which to me was very weak). At least 'Love Fall and Order' felt like a Fall Harvest film, whereas that film didn't seem to belong in any seasonal blocking, without it being too rubbed in the face or heavy handed.

Is it perfect? No, it is predictable and can get too silly at times. Especially in the final quarter, which did get on the over the top side for my liking.

The backing and forthing/bickering also could have been a little less.

Unlike 'Over the Moon in Love', 'Love Fall and Order' didn't have much wrong. Cahill is immensely engaging and has such a radiant presence that is easy to endear to. Donovan's performance here is one of his most natural, easy going and sincere. Really liked the chemistry between them, it's playful but also heartfelt and it develops in a way that doesn't rush or feel aimless. The supporting cast are all fun (even KC Klyde, who shows some nice comic timing), the standout is Gregory Harrison who always does well meaning father figure very well. The chemistry between the actors never feels forced or static.

Production values are very good, the scenery is beautiful and while the colour orange is used a lot it doesn't come over as too heavy. The music at least fits and doesn't feel overused or overscored. While not always subtle, the dialogue is generally witty, flows well and has honesty. While not perfect, the story is heart-warming and light-hearted with any character conflict being more realistic and less strained than can be usually be seen with Hallmark films following similar plotlines. A good deal happens but not in a way that comes over as over-stuffed and disjointed. The characters may not be complex, not that sort of film though, but have personality and likeable ones too.

Overall, very enjoyable. 7/10.