Encontro do Destino

As context we're not dealing with the next Golden Globe nominee--it's a Hallmark movie. This is one of the few that I have seen that has bouts of decent writing as in witty dialog in the first half of the film (it seems to wain). The actors are just fine. The female lead does a decent job of the rommy com stuff. Overall the cast is above average. Plot is Hallmark factory issue so nothing surprising but then I think that is one of the points of these things -- predictably cheery with a happy ending. Watchable enough that I finished the whole thing (which I don't always do).

Claire is a Seattle baker who with her partner is trying to make their business a success. Unfortunately her mom considers herself to be quite the successful matchmaker...but so far she has failed with her daughter Claire. Claire who goes in to cook at 4am, is tired and has been burned by love before.

The partners think that if they could just get a positive review from this famous internet food critic their business would pick up and they could actually buy a new oven...etc.

Claire's mom tries to secretly find Claire a boyfriend and it goes horribly awry, but in the process she does meet a handsome pediatrician...who she talks in to meeting her Claire.

(I wish this was actually filmed in Seattle but as usual besides the stock footage "city skyline" shots, this was definitely filmed somewhere else.)

Confusion abounds is this romance...between our main couple and her parents. I love the faith the husband has in his wife's fidelity and I appreciate them showing such a healthy relationship.

Absolutely wonderful cast...and that is the real reason to watch this Hallmark romance.

"Another 34 years with the love of my life."

This is one of the better Hallmark films. I like watching them when I am sick or multitasking because they are predicable and uncomplicated so if I fall asleep or leave the room it's no big deal. This one was cute enough to keep me engaged.

I really enjoyed this movie. It definitely counts as one of Hallmark's better efforts. I haven't seen the movie referred to elsewhere - 'Because I Said So' - so this one was refreshingly original for me. The plot for the most part was very believable although I did find it hard to accept how easily Claire gave up on Eric when she found out that her mother had engineered the first meeting. The cast was well chosen and performed excellently. I particularly liked Brenda Strong's character Helen who, as far as I am concerned, was the best one in the movie and Brenda played her superbly. I hope to see more of Brenda's work. It is definitely worth watching again.

Overall not a bad hallmark flick good for hallmark standards but predictable