Un cottage da sogno

One thing I typically look for in the Hallmark romances is the level of relationship building. Some plots put the main couple together so seldom you wonder how they even remember each other's names.

This movie puts the leads together most of the time, and it works. The plot starts out with a bit of antithetical romance which is quickly stripped away as the lady wedding planner puts a cottage back in order.

Unfortunately the "relationship crisis" is one that's been horribly overworked, when one of the leads thinks the other has betrayed their fame to the press. I had to knock off a star for a lack of originality there.

However, overall we liked the story and the characters, and we're glad we watched it.

This was a wonderfully romantic Hallmark film and I feel like standing up and cheering. It seems like there has been a long dry spell on Hallmark filled with forced box checking and political agendas that really marked a deviation from the romantic films that originally brought me to the channel. This was a film that transcended all of that. It was beautiful, sweet and very romantic.

Erin Krakow, who I love in When Calls The Heart, is wonderful as a wedding guide creator that together with her team gives away a dream wedding to a would be bride and her hero military groom. The problem, they want to do it in the famous Vermont Wedding Cottage which has been out of business for five years and is currently owned by a famous artist who has allowed it to go to ruin. Thankfully Erin's character Vanessa Doyle is a real go-getter and she does what it takes to convince artist Evan Stanford to let her fix up the cottage and hold the wedding there...and bring him coffeee every morning...all quietly, so he can concentrate on his next piece for an upcoming art show.

These two, Vanessa and Evan, fit together like beautiful romantic puzzle pieces. I loved the romance in this film AND Erin's urban wardrobe! Erin Krakow and Brendan Penny have wonderful on-screen chemistry which really makes this film work.

I highly, highly recommend this to all the romantics out there...you will love this film.

The groom was introduced on TV as Staff Sergeant, but his insignia was for a Buck Sergeant. Also, with his injury, his campaign ribbons did not include a Purple Heart. Hallmark should always use a military consultant. Admittedly these are picky points for an otherwise excellent movie with true heart. Erin Krakow is always on character and Brendan Penny showed a transformation as his artistic side began to be seen in his work at the cottage and in dealing with Vanessa. Another highlight for me was the community spirit shown by town folks in pulling together and sharing their skills to make the wedding a reality.

I rarely write reviews and there a plenty of reviews with summaries. My Grandmother loved Hallmark. It was on practically 24/7 especially Thurs to Sunday. She often would fall asleep after finishing the movie but too (lazy) to get up. She passed last month. So I have been catching up on some of those I have missed and the new releases. As an artist and also someone who finds solace in gardening. Most things nature I feel very connected to. This movie really spoke to me in many ways. I felt the struggle of the artist because I live it but I am definitely NOT famous nor have a known name. I also felt the struggle of the now published author who misses their true passion. The connection to people, visual beauty and the ability to harness the spirit of love. All while putting it on display for the people who mean the most to the couple getting married. I felt the connection between the characters. I also felt it was closer to being more realistic and definitely more honest. This movie surprised me greatly. I laughed out loud, I chuckled, and I smiled so much the muscles in my face hurt. I loved the connection with nature, the amazing and stunning trees. I also appreciated the wildflowers as the main flower "theme". Too often simple, and natural beauty get overlooked.

This movie really did make me cry. I was in the army and my brother is a marine overseas over 8 years of his 13 in active duty. I lost the feeling in my legs in a training incident. We have lost many friends, brothers and sisters. Too many others have had to learn how to live with a new normal. It has been 19 years since I had real feeling in my legs and feet. Loosing a limb or two is more common than anyone wants to openly acknowledge. Alas I believe in Honesty almost to a fault. It is one of the main core values and code of ethics instilled in you. If you didn't understand them before you enlist they become essential after. We need those core values and ethics visualized. We need them on display interwoven with the beauty and nature of life. We are human and we all have storms to weather. We have mountains to climb. Some face similar lessons but rarely are the outcomes exactly the same. Why? Because we all have lessons to be learned and rarely are the outcomes supposed to be exactly the same. Even rarer that they are supposed to happen at exactly the same time. I hope that this movie will have a sequel. I would really enjoy a well made series with different couples coming to the cottage. Along with all the bumpy, messy real life that can happen when a real wedding is planned, created and made to happen. May this be a truly happy beginning!

That said: I just wish it was longer. I miss a real feature length film. This movie could have easily made a full 2 hour special (without commercials) and I have no doubt it would have been a hit. Sadly now we get so many commercials that without them we are now down to 83 or 84 minutes. We don't even get the whole 90.

Blessed be to all, I wish you enough and I hope you are always able to find the extraordinary within the ordinary ~CSM.

This is the kind of Hallmark movie I adore - simple plot, but brought together by charming, compelling actors with tons of chemistry.

Erin and Brendan are two of my favorites Hallmark has to offer. I loved this movie, because the progression of the romance felt natural and not rushed. Although I suppose my only gripe would be the typical "character A thinks character B betrayed them" trope. I know all Hallmark films have to have a temporary separation of the leads, but I think it could've done better, especially since Evan jumped to conclusions and didn't even bother asking Vanessa what really happened.

Overall, though, several parts made me smile, especially teaching the young couple how to do the first dance at their wedding. Would definitely watch again.