Return to Office

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.

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?

This movie is a clever take on the popular premise of "You've Got Mail". And the actors do a good job with it. It follows some of the same themes where the two build a relationship both face to face and only by text. Then the texters want to meet. And one of them learns the other's identity. Besides sharing a desk on every other day at the same company, there is also a fresh twist in that two retirement home ladies start meddling.

Just when you think the relationship story and the obvious secret are about to climax, there is a major development on the business side. And this leads into the climax of the romance. I thought the climax at the restaurant made a little too much of a leap. Both characters were expressing thoughts and emotions that hadn't quite been fully developed, at least not for the audience. And the ending was almost squished into the climax.

Janel Parrish and Scott Michael Foster have good chemistry and the acting is good. The dialogue is good. I loved the line "Am I the last one to the Bach party?"

Walter, the head boss, and Chad, the HR guy, were not only annoying, but their characters were way too stereotyped and one dimensional.

As I'm writing this, there is only one other person who has left a review. I get the feeling that they may not have ever seen a Hallmark movie before! I could be wrong, but what was so charming about this movie was that although there was a secret to be revealed, what was different than almost any other Hallmark movie in Hallmark's existence since I've discovered them was there was no tiny unnecessary disagreement that led to an over the top ending of the relationship. Of course, this happens at about 10 minutes before the ending, and then somehow the characters figure out that one of them was wrong and the immediately end the movie in a kiss. I'm always waiting for that to happen and it always does pretty much, but I was really thrilled that this was not the case here. There were little disagreements here and there, but it was quite believable. I agree with the previous review, saying that the writing was good and the actors had very good chemistry. The storyline was unique, not the typical Hallmark formula, and it kept me interested in what was going to come next. The person who played the HR character was definitely over the top, but I didn't feel that the other characters were one dimensional. This was extremely enjoyable in my opinion and really worth the watch.

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.