A Caminho do Amor

While I faithfully watch all new Hallmark movies, I'm so thankful to COVID for slowing the factory down. I really love the older Hallmark movies they're showing, and the outside productions like "Midway to Love." This move was refreshing because it's outside the formula. The characters also felt more realistic than the normal Hallmark fare. I think even my husband would like it.

The acting was OK and there was some beautiful Kentucky scenery, but adding to the basic premise was not well done. Character development and interaction needed a lot of work.

I am surprised that Hallmark would pick up an independent film like this. They are hit and miss, but I enjoy them because they don't follow formula. Some small favors in the wake of covid I guess. There is the basic premise, woman goes back home and reconnects with old boyfriend, but Hallmark doesn't have the patent on that. Some people will find this boring because they are not used to seeing something that quietly focuses on two characters rather than alot of silly, contrived and overused situations. Thankfully this is missing the evil bf/gf, perma-smiles, town festivals, baking contests, and saving the small business that actually went extinct about 3 decades ago. Maybe Hallmark can get a few clues from this film.

It does have the pitfalls of a low bugdet - the horrid tertiary characters and inappropriate music. Loud jazz piano while strolling through the woods? Awful. But I will forgive that because while none of these movies are realistic, this at least is plausible and sweet. I enjoyed the story and the leads' acting. Unlike some real life Hallmark couples, this married acting duo manage to connect and portray actual emotions. No cheesy embarrassing declarations here. Good job.

I really liked this one primarily due to the likability of the two principals and their chemistry together. Daniel Stine plays an unconventional though very appealing looking hero who was an unlikely match with Dr. Rachel, who was sharp of mind and looks. Mitchell, her love interest was kind of shlubby looking. Kind of a Vince Vaughn type. She is a famous big earning Doctor (a psychoanalyst) and he is a fourth grade teacher. I do like unconventional pairings so much more that the typical beautiful person falls in love with another beautiful person. It adds intrigue, anticipation, and a layer of emotional depth. I liked that although he was not her equal in terms of career choice or "typical" good looks, he didn't grovel at her feet.

That's it though. The story was unremarkable and, Of course, predictable. The career crisis was interesting and although Dr. Rachel put up with the indignities meted out by the villains way too long, when she did leave, it was a pretty satisfactory scene.

The network wants to franchise Dr. Rachel August's tv show, but there is a catch...new producer and they want to pair her with some crazy, ridiculous internet sensation which would would make this serious doctor a laughing stock.

She goes home for a week's vacation to Midway to visit her dad and figure out a way to get out of her five year obligatory contract. In Midway she meets her childhood sweetheart who is back in town and working as a fourth grade teacher...and who has a ten year old foster daughter. Her father who is also a psychiatrist and a widower, gives her some really good life advice about how your career isn't everything and how life and family are important.

This was a sweet, quirky second chance romance in an adorable town. The two leads have wonderful chemistry and a believe-able romance.