Return to Office

7.7 stars.

I am pleasantly surprised by the outcome of this film. From the title, and what it looked like the story would amount to, I was prepared for a dull experience full of nowhere conversation and the usual Hallmark stuff.

The story is not particularly clever, however the way it was navigated was a bit different than usual. There were not the dramatic, tense moments and the interrupted kisses, and all the other usual formulaic ingredients. Instead, they played it off more nonchalant and easy-going. We didn't have to deal with some big reveal where one of the leads is massively disappointed in the other, leading to a temporary falling out, only to be reunited at the end for the kiss.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how this one didn't follow the usual blueprint. Enjoy. And, by the way, the leads were wonderful, charismatic and had great attraction.

How do I know thee? Let me count the ways. "The Shop Around the Corner," 1940, "In the Good Old Summertime" (1949), "She Loves Me" (1963), You've Got Mail" (1998), "Hanukkah on Rye" (2022), "Return of Office" (2025).

It's an enduring story. I enjoyed this retelling. If you have not seen Shop Around the Corner it's worth seeing where it all started. James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan played the leads in the original.

"Return to Office" offers a contemporary take on the classic narrative, exploring themes of workplace dynamics and modern communication. The chemistry between the leads is interesting and it's an engaging storyline.

This story starts with the announcement of a corporate merger, the CEO makes the decision to have all employees return to the office rather than work from home. Since there's limited space, employees must divide up their work week and share an office desk. Liv (Janel Parrish) and Tom (Scott Michael Foster) start their desk sharing by leaving post it notes for each other and only identifying themselves as ms. Monday and mr. Tuesday. A romance begins and so does solving the mystery of each other's identity. This is a refreshing plot instead the usual hallmark storylines, you may find similarities to the movies "Shop Around The Corner" and "You Got Mail" although Hallmark gives it their own little twist. The story does drag a tiny bit in the middle and it feels a bit rushed at the end. The two main characters are well cast and have good chemistry. Overrall a pleasant and charming movie that's different.

This one is a lot like some of the latest Hallmark movies... good cast, but not the best writing. The start is tedious and the entire movie seems a bit too much contrived. It finally gets going in the last 30 minutes. The female lead is as submissive as anyone can get... beyond any reasonable expectation of such. It's not until near the very end that she becomes a real person. I was just so annoyed by how much of a pushover she was... it reminded me of me, but by that age she should have grown more as a person. The boss seemed to be more of a caricature of a manager than a successful company owner.

I'd take unemployment over working for that weirdo. Their job atmosphere makes cubicles look cozy and inviting... the whole thing gave me PTSD flashbacks from my former office life. Also, I really wish they'd hire actual artists to produce the "art" rather than using cheap software/AI to create bad, obviously inauthentic sketches.

I'll never understand why Hallmark has to start every movie with one or both leads acting so cartoonishly obnoxious that the viewers are instantly turned off. I get the need for character development, but we still have to LIKE these people if you expect us to spend 90 minutes rooting for them. Not much room for subtlety here, I guess.

One more thing: anyone else bothered by the dude who's just one bad razor stroke away from rocking the full-on Hitler?