Always Amore

I am really enjoying the deeper non-holiday/non-mystery movies on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel. Tyler Hynes and Autumn Reeser delivered a deeper performance and had excellent chemistry-the story was well written and performed by all of the cast. Definitely recommend watching this movie and I hope to see the Autumn/Tyler pairing again in the future!

This film was filled with family and grief over the loss of a loved one. Autumn Reeser's character is forced to work with a restaurant consultant who is brought in to help her rescue her deceased Italian chef husband's restaurant.

Initially she had difficulty trusting the consultant and their relationship is strained...but as she puts it a lot of people have put their trust in her and it took her a while to see that she could put her trust in the consultant.

The consultant who is a bit of a vagabond and also still grieving over the death of his fiancé...enjoys the "family" of this restaurant, where all the employees get Monday off and they all have a family style sit down dinner to which he gets invited.

I understand Giada de Laurentiis was used as a consultant on the film...and I will say the food was drool-worthy.

It was supposed to be set on Bainbridge Island, Washington...where I am from and I can definitively say that it was not filmed in Bainbridge, nor did they make any attempt to make it appear that it was to my disappointment.

I think there is a statistic that something like 70% of restaurants fail...that gave real melancholy to this movie in which a restaurant is on the cusp and really trying to keep the memory of the late chef alive.

This was a worthwhile watched...I loved the Nona and her heart and being ok to grieve, love and celebrate the family that we make.

(I am still wondering why hallmark is running so many movies in which one parent has been killed? There has been a lot of death and single parents lately.)

This was another restaurant movie. It had potential, but lacked energy. Autumn Resser and Tyler Hynes are usually good bets for Hallmark. They do not set me aflutter, but are reliable in their assorted offerings. Not so this time. Ms. Reeser was more whiny than usual and dull. Her stubborn fixation with her dead husband was over done and Mr. Hynes seemed basically phoning in his part. There were some pleasant inner actions between the main characters, but not enough to carry this entry. Several new Hallmark Movies for 2022 have been less than stellar, this is definitely one of the outstanding ones.

Very enjoyable movie. Gee no sex no cursing and no violence. What a concept. Being Italian I enjoyed the heritage. Some very tasty looking food dishes presented. Maybe some upcoming actors and actresses. Giada did a great job.

Any film and television series etc centered around food immediately has me sold. The culinary/restaurant setting has been done to death before and has been a common setting since, but anybody that loves food and loves to cook and always finds themselves salivating at different dishes on cookery competitions may find that that doesn't matter. Whenever Hallmark do this setting, it does vary in quality. Particularly in the storytelling and whether the characters are any good.

2022's 'Always Amore' is one of the food-centered Hallmark films that works and up there with the best of them. Have seen some food-centered Hallmark and Lifetime films over the past few months, especially the Christmas films, that have really not worked for reasons other than setting, but this felt like a refreshment in comparison to those. It is a treat for anybody that loves food, culinary heritage and loves to cook and is not only a menu worth trying out but it is a tasty one. 'Always Amore' is one of the better 2022 Hallmark films and much better than the previous food-set Hallmark film 'Welcome to Mama's'.

It is not perfect, have yet to see a Hallmark film that's perfect (even the best ones). Did feel that the ending could have slowed down and was too neat.

Do agree that everything with still keeping the old menu, when revamping it would have decreased the bankruptcy risk, and the whole not trying out dishes not created by the owner didn't ring true.

Really liked everything else though. Autumn Reeser is endlessly engaging and has a lot of perky charm about her. Another (justifiable) Hallmark regular Tyler Hynes is very comfortable and easy going in his likeable role. Their chemistry is very genuine and never felt false or bland, it is a very understated one but there was chemistry in my view. It was great that it was not underused and didn't play fiddle to any conflict concerning the restaurant. The supporting cast are solid and the characters were ones worth engaging with.

The restaurant setting is portrayed in a very affectionate way and the passion for food was clear, it is really made the most of and what happens behind the scenes is realistic. Any conflict is unforced and has some uncertainty that makes one root for things to be okay. The script is a mix of amusingly light hearted and heart warming sentiment, without being juvenile or too sentimental. The story is not an original one, but it has a lively energy, doesn't take itself too seriously while not treating it as a joke and is cute. The characters are ones worth caring for and the film looks very nice and isn't over-scored.

Concluding, very tasty and fullfilling if not completely cooked all the way through. 7/10.