Romancing the Birthday Girl

I enjoyed Emilie and Clayton in this movie. I loved the journey that her character's mother left her to complete on her thirtieth birthday. Hallmark delivered a story from start to finish on facing and embracing your fears-the movie had a heartwarming and happy ending.

Nice is the favorit term, in my case, for define Hallmark romantic films. It this case , this word works not so well. First, because, except the drawing with elephant by Chloe, except Daphne. Hoskins herself , except the yoga with goat, nothing works . The chemistry between Clayton Jones and Emilie Ullerup is just...fiction. The single parent - a too used clichee. The challenge of late mother and the duties - not original or inspired used. Sure, it is only another Hallmark. Nothing to expect, nothing provocative, the perfect film after a very busy work day. But the poor viewer could desrve a better story.

On her thirtieth birthday, Taylor (Emilie Ullerup) receives a set of six envelopes containing challenges. They were written by her deceased mother, perhaps because she knew her daughter would need a catalyst to produce meaningful changes in her life. Indeed, Taylor lives an extremely structured new-age life, full of affirmations without many realizations.

A new neighbor, Josh (Clayton James), enters her life, and he becomes her aide in fulfilling the maternal injunctions. It's a natural development that might lead to romance, especially in a Hallmark film.

The problem with this story is the writing, which lacks subtlety (even for a Hallmark romance), beating the viewer over the head with symbolic gestures, coincidences, and too-cute incidents.

I love Emilie Ullerup, but I had to warm a little to Clayton James who plays our male lead Josh opposite her Taylor, but warm to him I did. He was sweet, engaging and was a wonderful foil to Taylor who is an overly neurotic character.

A new neighbor moves in next door and it is Taylor's thirtieth birthday, which she plans to spend visiting her dad who is a local artist and gallery owner. Her dad surprises her with a treasure map to a time capsule buried for her by her late mother. Inside the time capsule is a series of challenges to be done one at a time, that challenge Taylor and push her out of her comfortable little bubble. She has to complete a challenge and document it with a photo before opening the next challenge. The first challenge is to meet someone new...this ends up being her new neighbor, a widower, and his daughter who begin to help Taylor complete her challenges in the spirit in which her mother meant them to be completed.

This was a wonderful story with an even better tie back in to Taylor's mom. I really enjoyed this for the story alone...and I am not sure I have ever said that about a made for Hallmark movie! The romance is there as well...so if you are just in it for the romance you won't be disappointed.

I am a little concerned however there seems to be a trend of Hallmark having lots of stories about widows and widowers...especially those who are parents. Why are you killing off all the parents Hallmark? Should we be concerned?

Bottom line this was a wonderful story and I highly recommend that if you are a hallmark fan that you give it a try.

Overall, this is worth watching. I like that the lead character has issues and quirks, which make her human. The story doesn't meander much or get distracted by unnecessary B-plots.

What I don't like is how the leads exude goofiness with each other throughout. I guess that's how they work the "com" into "rom-com," but to me it becomes annoying and detracts from any sense of romance. Having a laugh with each other is important, but these two would probably joke their way through wedding vows, all while pretending they aren't actually getting married.