Romance Por Acaso

Set in Tennessee but filmed in Canada, as most Hallmark movies are, and filmed quickly over about 3 weeks in 2021.

For us the best part of this movie is seeing former American Idol contestant, country singer Lauren Alaina. She does three songs as part of the story and for us that was the best parts. She plays Callie who is coming home to her small Tennessee community after a military tour of duty. There is some hope she and her former boyfriend can reconnect but both have changed.

By stroke of fortune a movie man named Luke, aimed at directing a movie in Hawaii with his girlfriend as the star, has a car problem and gets stuck for a few days in the small town, leading up to its annual festival. The story gets a bit interesting with Callie's search for her deceased grandpa's secret BBQ sauce recipe. And as the stories are wrapped up this one takes a familiar path that all Hallmark movies take, and that is why they are all good, clean entertainment.

My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library. There is an interesting 5-minute feature showing some of the "making of" cuteness.

I will admit that Lauren Alaina has a ways to go in her acting ability. It's not horrible, but there are many times when you can tell that she is making an effort to deliver her lines or her expression rather than having it flow naturally.

But to say that she and Tyler Hines have no chemistry is going too far. For me the chemistry sizzled. The dialogue helped. When they are sparring at the beginning, it is fun rather than mean. Then it transitions into a friendship on the edge of romance which is only held back by the knowledge that he is already in a relationship. They educate one another in things that are new to the other and do it with obvious good will mixed with good natured teasing. I love watching relationships like this one.

Alaina has a spectacular voice. Hallmark has used a couple other ladies whose day job is singing and Alaina's voice is as good or better than each of them. I'm sorry we didn't hear more of "Run".

The only tension or conflict is the already existing relationship, but that's ok for me because I tend to be adverse to nasty conflict.

When Callie gets off the bus, I'm surprised that Hallmark wouldn't get a military consultant to check the authenticity of her uniform. No rank on hat or uniform, American flag wrong orientation, questionable patches, etc. Otherwise, I appreciated the emphasis on the VA.

Can't sing, but can act. Can't act but can sing. SURPRISE! Alaina can do both! I was expecting cardboard. I got a genuine actress. It's actually harder to be who you are in real life. Kudos to the director to let her be her. Jackie did great casting as always. Tyler was Tyler. Any actress will have chemistry with him. He IS Mr. Hallmark.

Tyler reminds me of the actors of the 50s. He IS the character he is playing - ANY character.

Ok. Now the bad. These two outshine the supporting cast bigly. Can't be the script because I have a feeling Tyler doesn't follow a script. Story is cute, but once in a while Hallmark, make a mess of things.

I have it an 9 because Lauren once or twice made me feel she was aware of the camera. That and I know she'll get better the more Hallmark movies she does. Sorry Ms. Pickler, she's already better than you.

As usual great movie from Hallmark.

I wasn't expecting to like this movie but Tyler Hynes was so good and Lauren Alaina was sweet in her role. Lauren has a great voice. The story was cute and funny.