The 27-Hour Day

Hallmark is nothing if not a 1920/30s style movie studio machine. They have a formula that works and they STICK to it! They sign actors and writers that fit the machine to long-term contracts and they crank out the product the people want. The Hallmark Channel is one of the only TV channels left that actually makes money year after year. If you observe carefully, you'll notice that Hallmark has different teams of actors and writers/directors that could possibly be broken out into A, B and C teams - the "A-team" projects will get more of the actors that are the bigger "box office" draws and get larger production budgets. That takes us to the recent Hallmark movie, The 27-Hour Day, which is a fairly typical "A-Team" Hallmark. The movie stars one of the biggest male Hallmark stars right now, Andrew W. Walker, as well as newer female leads Autumn Reeser and beautiful, talented Rhiannon Fish (who has played the female lead in other Hallmarks such as Love on the Wings of Eagles) and Brenda Crichlow who's a Hollywood star as well as frequent Hallmark star.

SHE is a NYC workaholic who runs a time-saving blog for women. She's at spin class at 5am and still working at midnight. Her career is amazing but her personal life not so much. When an industry leader (Brenda Crichlow) with the power to propel her career even further tells her she needs work-life balance, she finally listens and books a week at a "no-devices allowed" lodge in Montana (shot in British Columbia). HE is a tall and chiseled western/ranch dude. He and his family run said resort. He loves animals (was going to be a vet) he takes life slow but also wants his resort to grow and succeed. Both need to find some life balance and maybe learn from each other. Watch for an "untypical" Hallmark kiss!

Is The 27-Hour Day a formulaic Hallmark? Of COURSE it is! The RomCom Guy says RELAX, Hallmarks need to be rated on their own quality scale. This one is above average. The wardrobe choices are very good (lots of nice tops for the ladies) the scenery is actually quite stunning, while the acting and writing is decent. I say record, serve wine and enjoy!

The premise sounded intriguing and reasonably original for Hallmark but part of me was not sure whether it would entirely work, as it did have the potential to feel rushed or have an unlikeable female lead. 2021 was very hit and miss for Hallmark, but that was to be expected considering the circumstances and also they have always been hit and miss. Will admit to not being particularly impressed by most of the previous 2021 Summer Nights films.

As far as the 2021 Hallmark films go, 'The 27 Hour Day' is neither among the best (i.e. 'As Luck Would Have It') or among the worst (i.e. 'Beverly Hills Wedding'). As far as the 2021 Summer Nights films (which had mediocrities such as 'Sand Dollar Cove') go, it is one of the better ones by quite some way and a contender for the best one up to this point of the Summer Nights block. For anybody who likes Autumn Reeser and Andrew W. Walker, personally do like Reeser and Walker is one of the better Hallmark leading men, 'The 27 Hour Day' is well worth watching.

Both Reeser and Walker are immensely engaging in their roles, particularly Walker who brings his usual easy going understated charm. Reeser gives it everything without overplaying and manages in not overdoing any character flaws, which could easily have been done with this premise. While their chemistry doesn't scintillate, it is at least there and is genuine. The supporting cast are solid and the characters didn't annoy or bore me.

It is a good looking film, particularly the scenery, and the music avoids over scoring, intrusion or drabness. The direction is low key but not not pedestrian. The script is mostly light hearted, playful, sincere and charming and the story mostly engages and warms the heart.

By all means, 'The 27 Hour Day' is not perfect. The pacing is uneven, with the film taking a little while to get going and then it feels rushed and a bit chaotic in the final act. The ending is too pat and easily foreseeable, that was not surprising though as a lot of Hallmark films have this problem.

Furthermore, there is too little conflict and what there is is bland.

Overall, nice film. 7/10.

The plot is similar to many Hallmark films, but with a few fresh aspects and messages, with two of the best leads that Hallmark has. This makes it worth watching.

It does an excellent job showing how our reliance on technology for efficient work and play can lead to a robotic way of living, and how a balance between work commitment is required with personal emotional commitments. The importance of always caring for our loved ones and new people we meet is demonstrated beautifully with the likeable supporting cast in this film. The piglet was a cute complement!

Certainly a feel good movie, with the relationship between Autumn and Andrew developing without too much of the unrealistic gush that too many of the lower rated Hallmarks have. Some good witty banter, which is what I enjoy in these films. There was no initial meeting of the love interests in a harsh circumstance which too many of Hallmarks feel is necessary, when it is not. How many real romances start that way, anyway?

The relationship developed with both assisting each other with their view of their life journey to that point ... not by forcing any changes ... but by suggesting a few different ways to reflect and view things ... which, of course, they grow to accept in their future life path. This clearly is important in any true romantic relationship, so is demonstrated very well.

Hear me out! Considering her profession it should be less than 24 hours all you can accomplish.

If I had 27 hour- Sure would get more done,so it just defeated the logic.

Was rather bland,felt dragged out & leads had average chemistry.

Cinematography was fine & music nothing special,usually in the wrong place that overtakes talking.

Not a keeper to enjoy later again,another disappointment by Hallmark.

After the third viewing, I'd like to add that the story line is erratic and seems like a cut and paste for desired messages. Autumn Reeser barely holds this one together with her charm and slight touch of quirkiness. She has a comic and sensitive nuance and is a seasoned pro. Chances for a good laugh were sometimes lost like where the scene Autumn when unloading her bag of tech gear, computer, iPad, etc. Was rushed. In fact, the first few scenes were hurried and the story line was hard to grasp. Autumn and Andrew had zero chemistry in fact it seemed he wished he was somewhere else. What longfull looks between the two came across as empty. The scenery was beautiful. Overall, since the cast and crew had to deal with the constraints of the COVID restrictions including a two-week quarantine for US personnel the production went well.