Il vero amore

Typical Hallmark movie but with a great pairing in Jessie Metcalf and Autumn Reeser. Their chemistry was engaging. I've worked with Jessie and he's the sweetest guy, a talented actor and a good musician. It's great to hear him sing and play in the movie and I also wish Autumn had sung more than her short harmonizing... if it was her she had a great voice too. It's predictable what's going to happen but it's a delight to watch it unfold.

Expectations were mixed here. Music is a big part of my life and this is the sort of story that is relatable to me. While country is not my favourite style of music, there is still a lot of love for it. Autumn Reeser and Jesse Metcalfe have both been good in other things, particularly Reeser who has been in a higher number of good films. Am not a fan of most of Hallmark's June Weddings films and that seasonal block has always been one of the more up and down ones every year since it was introduced, but there have been some decent and more ones.

Following on from the mediocre 'Perfect Match' and the pretty good 'Love, Again', 'A Country Wedding' is a winner. It is for me the best of the 2015 June Weddings films, helped by that it had the most appealing premise of the three, and also among the better June Weddings Hallmark films overall. Not to mention proof that Hallmark and country music do mix very well, which was also proven more than once since in other music-themed films of theirs.

It is not perfect, with some of the dialogue sounding a little awkward and sappy.

The film maybe could have gotten going a little quicker.

'A Country Wedding' has a lot of good things though that balance those not so good ones out. The best aspect is the music, which is just great. So infectiously uplifting and soothing on the ears and both Reeser and especially Metcalfe have very pleasant singing voices. The lip sync is also a lot better than most music-related Hallmark films, with there being a number of ones where this aspect has been sloppy. Reeser is like a ray of sunshine, while Metcalfe is a subtle easy going contrast. Really liked their truly endearing chemistry, that amused, charmed and heart-warmed. The supporting cast are all solid and the characters never bored or irritated me.

Furthermore, it looks good. Especially the scenery. The script has some awkwardness but is suitably light-hearted, the rapport between the two leads made me smile. The story may be formulaic and not exactly original, but its energy, charm and ability to lift the spirits more than made up for that. Not to mention that it was to me easy to relate to. The ending, though foreseeable, is sweet and doesn't ring false or feel contrived.

Overall, very nicely done. 8/10.

8.3. Stars.

It's such a shame these actors never get nominated for awards, well some of them do, but never for their roles in Hallmark films. Autumn Reeser has an award winning performance in 'A Country Wedding', and was she ever recognized for it? Not one peep... Ignored like a pile of junk mail. Come to think of it, I can recall this being the third movie now where she steals the show, so notably in fact, that all the other actors are stuck in the shadows. I really don't have much else to talk about in this review but to give her props. Reeser's portrayal is nothing short of brilliance...of a cowgirl working on a ranch, one that she's been running on her own for years...she is self-sufficient, strong, and lovely. And when she and Metcalf's character are flirting with the possibility of sparking the old love, her nuanced portrayal of the inner struggle, how she interprets her character's reactions to the deep feelings of love long forgotten, not fully understood because they were very young when he left town, but now love returns. As their mutual affection deepens, and she is painfully reminded of the fact that he is marrying a woman he doesn't love, doesn't know, and whose dreams he does not share.

I found myself laughing at her quirks for the pure amusement, and then smiling at her interpretation of a dignified southern woman, and weeping for her heartache so immeasurably undeserved. Autumn Reeser is the heart and soul of 'A Country Wedding'.

The pairing of Jesse and Autumn is one of the reasons this movie is engaging, delightful, and entertaining. And, Jesse's singing doesn't hurt, although after hearing the 2 seconds Autumn harmonizes with him makes me wish they had performed an entire song together. She has a lovely voice. Good job, Hallmark!

I really loved this one - somehow have missed it for the past 5 years but am glad I caught it now! Autumn Reeser is 100% adorable - I'm not familiar with her, but really enjoyed her performance - and I always appreciate Jesse Metcalfe's movies but was happy to see him displaying new talents here. As much as I love Hallmark coming out with new movies frequently, when I see one of the older ones before they started really cranking them out I can see such a difference in quality. This movie is heartwarming, funny, entertaining, charming, just plain good! I recommend it wholeheartedly.