Romance Por Acaso

Tyler Hynes has a way of elevating the material he's given in Hallmark films, and this is no exception.

Lauren Alaina does well in her first Hallmark film, and there's some lovely moments here.

Funny, touching, the story holds up, and the leads have chemistry - all the ingredients needed for a good Hallmark film in my book.

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.

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 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.

Although the leads had nice moments together,it lacked true romance chemistry. -Felt like he was an older caring mentor.

It was her first movie to my understanding so will overlook her acting,far as music was rather underwhelming too. -Think partly due to how Hallmark,presented those music scenes.

She seemed rather young to been in the military for years,on top of her career stuff she mentioned.

Couldn't Hallmark give a better overall topic,than just about a lost BBQ sauce recipe?

Unless as mentioned was an easy cover-up for a lead,with no real acting experience or pandemic issues.

Scenery & cinematography was ok,but always the music seems to upstage the actors talking.

If the storyline & acting is good,you don't need music to always cover that fact.

Won't be watching it,again.