Fragranza d'amore

I thought this was a pretty decent film. The characters were okay and I really liked Dec, but I thought Violet was really annoying throughout most of the movie. It was still pretty okay though. It wasn't my favourite Hallmark film, but still good nonetheless.

This movie could have been so much better than it was. Yes, the two leads are gorgeous, and so is the scenery. However, nothing really happens in the movie except the heroine is trying to save her father's perfume company--but there is NO suspense or intrigue in how she saves it. Pacing is leaden and plodding. She is so rude and overbearing to the male lead when she first meets him, tells him his job (designing gardens at a botanical museum) is a "waste of his talents." I can't imagine how a woman would attract a man after she insulted a job that he went to college to get. The leads have no chemistry.

If you compare this movie to Lacey Chambert's "Love, Romance, and Chocolate," this is a big miss. Disappointing because I usually love Hallmark movies that are set overseas in "exotic" locations.

p.s. Why cant Hallmark find people who can act. If you watch old black and white movies from the 40's, everyone in the movie from the maids to the cooks to the secretaries can act better than most of the LEADS in a hallmark movie. It's crazy. Maybe it was the studio system back then, where they helped train people under contract in their craft. Maybe Hallmark should have acting classes for the "actors."

It is hard to resist any film that has such a sweet title (even if it is one where one knows what to expect) and a cast of actors (the most familiar names to me being Victor Webster and Brittany Bristow) who have all been good in other projects. Did appreciate that the premise was not the usual one. The 2017 Hallmark output was a mixed bag, with the best being very well done, the worst being really quite bad and the in betweens ranging between average and decent.

As far as the 2017 Hallmark films go, 'Love Blossoms' is among the better ones (or at least of the films aired in the first half of the year). It isn't a classic, don't consider any Hallmark film at that level even the best ones, but for a film that could have been cheesy or over sappy this was a very charming and amiable effort. That knew what it wanted to be and who to aim it at as well as having something different. There are flaws but also a lot of strengths, namely the location and the cast.

The story isn't perfect in execution, with some rather slow pacing in the slighter stretches in the first half. Actually personally wasn't that surprised at the identity of the guilty party, there was something off about them early on.

Didn't like the boyfriend character at all, this is a type of character that Hallmark have a lot and they are all the same in personality etc and while he was clearly meant to be a jerk the film went too far on it to the point he was irritating.

However, 'Love Blossoms' looks great. The scenery is stunning (well it is Bruges, to me one of the most beautiful cities in Europe) and the film is filled with equally beautiful shots, that don't come over as too self-indulgent or style over substance. The music isn't overbearing or overused, matching the generally light-hearted, gentle tone very nicely without feeling recycled. The direction has momentum while letting things breathe, though a bit slack early on. Other than the production values, the best aspect of 'Love Blossoms' is the cast. Absolutely agree that Shantel VanSanten is a luminous and immensely charming delight, her character is flawed but realistically so and any flaws aren't exaggerated. Webster is an easy going and understated contrast.

Brittany Bristow (despite the dodgy accent) provides zesty support and apart from the boyfriends the characters were ones worth caring for and were interesting. VanSanten and Webster (now married in real life) have beautiful chemistry together and the relationship develops at a pace that is not too whirlwind or aimless. The script has playful moments as well as some truly sincere ones, it flows and the cheese and schmaltz don't go into overboard. Despite pacing issues, the story still has an appealingly light edge and charm and isn't played too seriously or too much of a joke. The ending is extremely cute and not as overly pat as most Hallmark endings, neither is any conflict being contrived. The setting is put into very effective use and is different.

In conclusion, not great but nicely done and charming. 7/10.

It's Set in Bruges, the shooting locations are very apt and lovely. This slow yet well-directed romance is suitable to be played in the background while you work on something. You hardly come across Hallmark movies where actors have accents and hence its refreshing to see some of the supporting casts carry speak in accents.

Violet Chappel (Shantel VanSanten) arrives to take over her late father's European perfume company in Belgium. Their most successful formula has gone missing and pages of her father's notebook are ripped out. With the important Valentine's Day deadline approaching, she is desperate and has to hire a new nose. She bumps into botanist Dec Granger (Victor Webster) who seems to have a special nose but unwilling to work for a perfume company. There is also the rival copycat perfumer Olivia Caine (Bobbie Phillips).

VanSanten is certainly gorgeous. She does her bumbling best to be adorable. Victor Webster is being a brooding cad. The pairing is pretty good for a Hallmark romance. The European location is a good change from the usual Canada. It's a pretty simple story as always. It doesn't really matter as long as the couple is appealing and does good work. This is fine.