L'amore è complicato

Have always watched Hallmark films with an open mind but also always without expecting too much. Some films have come off much better than expected, managing to make something appealing from unappealing or basic premises. Some are more or less what was expected in both good and bad ways. Then there are some that really don't live up to expectations and do so many things wrong. My expectations were in neither category this time, only expecting something watchable.

Something watchable this reviewer absolutely got. 'Love's Complicated' may not be a great film or an award worthy film but that is not to be expected, was expecting sweet light hearted fun at least and got that absolutely. That is from personal view though as Hallmark films have not connected for all, but one has to know what to expect or be in the right mindset. Hallmark have made some not so good films absolutely, but they have also made some worthwhile ones and 'Love's Complicated' is one of those.

'Love's Complicated' isn't perfect. It is formulaic, with pretty much what is expected mapping out as expected, meaning that there are not many if any surprises.

Did feel too that the final quarter was on the too rushed and too neat side, which is actually not an uncommon problem for Hallmark.

However, 'Love's Complicated' is worth seeing still for the appealing. Easy going performances of Hollie Marie Combs and particularly Ben Bass. Their characters are worth getting behind even with their flaws and they have genuine, natural chemistry together. The supporting cast are solid with no exception.

It looks good, especially the scenery which is lovely. Other Hallmark films fare a lot worse when it comes to having ill fitting and intrusive music, neither of which were an issue really with me here. While the script is not Oscar worthy material, it at least has a natural flow and doesn't come over as too cheesy, schmaltzy or waffly. Generally the story has a warm centre, is light-hearted and doesn't feel dull.

Concluding, nice film. 7/10.

Well written, great casting and acting. The film is humorous without being silly and the romance is mature, not sophomoric.

Good chemistry, good acting, good dialogue, and some surprising, original aspects. Completely engaging!

7.9 stars.

'Love's Complicated' is a heartwarming story of a self-proclaimed doormat. Lea's journey from self loathing to self-loving is a humorous and motivational one from the start. Not only do we get to witness a superbly enlightened point of view written in a very stylish and entertaining format, the characters are all perfectly woven together to illustrate this touching story.

Lea is a capable author with one published work and the second one on the way, however she's about to miss the deadline due to the overwhelming pressure and some disorder in her life. Coupled with a dead-end relationship with her boyfriend of two years, and the realization that she has lost her way, Lea is now stuck between a rock and a hard place. She has many dilemmas, such as how will she get inspired to finish the second book? Is she happy with her boyfriend Edward? How long must she continue to please everyone around her, especially Edward and her father? She is starting to realize that it's all becoming too difficult to manage.

Lea meets a man named Cinco, and their relationship is immediately lively, humorous and interesting. They have instant attraction, but she is not going to disappoint her family and friends by showing affection for another man while she's in a relationship with Edward; so she keeps it casual. Cinco realizes that she is doing this solely to please Edward, and not rock the boat with her father or take any risks. He also notices that she does her best to please everyone around her. He intuits that Lea has the potential for so much more if she will only cultivate more faith in herself. Soon after they are acquainted, Cinco and Lea are somehow enrolled in the same conflict resolution group. He is required to take it due to some past issues, she is taking it because her boyfriend feels she needs to learn how to express herself. Throughout the movie we follow this group as they practice several hypothetical challenges to learn how to navigate through conflicts that most ordinary people can overcome without the need for assistance.

I can't say enough about the multitude of wonderful and touching moments as the group and especially Cinco helps Lea find her confidence again, and she does the same for him. I was irrepressibly moved by this film.

Leah Townsend (Holly Marie Combs) is in a rut. She's struggling to write her second book after a successful debut with a book about her childhood as a senator's daughter. She's reluctant to confront her bland boyfriend Edward about their stagnant relationship. She avoids conflicts and gets signed up for a conflict management group. She's annoyed at being struck with her nemesis, critical shock jock Cinco Dublin (Ben Bass).

She hates him. She loves him. It's classic rom-com and fits perfectly for Hallmark. It's funny that rom-com tropes become conflict management. Combs and Bass are essentially second tier players sent to lead the team. I like them as actors and they have a fun chemistry. Combs is always good at being cute infuriated and Bass has a great devil-may-care attitude. This is a formulaic TV rom-com movie and there is nothing complicated about that.