Para Sempre Amor

I usually pick apart a story like this for all the formula elements in it. This story has some, especially then climax and ending. It starts out with the usual struggling business about to go under owned by Elizabeth. Ben shows up to save the business. But none of those matters. The story is just a vehicle for Autumn Reeser and Tyler Hynes to connect. And they are so good. Both are good individually and together. Even though I was thinking during the climax how cliche it was, I had tears in my eyes over what was going on between Elizabeth and Ben.

I am really enjoying the deeper non-holiday/non-mystery movies on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel. Tyler Hynes and Autumn Reeser delivered a deeper performance and had excellent chemistry-the story was well written and performed by all of the cast. Definitely recommend watching this movie and I hope to see the Autumn/Tyler pairing again in the future!

This film was filled with family and grief over the loss of a loved one. Autumn Reeser's character is forced to work with a restaurant consultant who is brought in to help her rescue her deceased Italian chef husband's restaurant.

Initially she had difficulty trusting the consultant and their relationship is strained...but as she puts it a lot of people have put their trust in her and it took her a while to see that she could put her trust in the consultant.

The consultant who is a bit of a vagabond and also still grieving over the death of his fiancé...enjoys the "family" of this restaurant, where all the employees get Monday off and they all have a family style sit down dinner to which he gets invited.

I understand Giada de Laurentiis was used as a consultant on the film...and I will say the food was drool-worthy.

It was supposed to be set on Bainbridge Island, Washington...where I am from and I can definitively say that it was not filmed in Bainbridge, nor did they make any attempt to make it appear that it was to my disappointment.

I think there is a statistic that something like 70% of restaurants fail...that gave real melancholy to this movie in which a restaurant is on the cusp and really trying to keep the memory of the late chef alive.

This was a worthwhile watched...I loved the Nona and her heart and being ok to grieve, love and celebrate the family that we make.

(I am still wondering why hallmark is running so many movies in which one parent has been killed? There has been a lot of death and single parents lately.)

This was ok. Not great but not terrible either. Autumn and Tyler have decent chemistry-neither is a favorite of mine but they work well together here. The story isn't very innovative and there are plot holes that you just learn to ignore such as the daughter's age. This type of movie seems typical for Wonya's Hallmark-take the existing RomCom formula that works really well for the network and add more unnecessary drama and angst.

Giada DeLaurentiis is an Executive Producer on this and aside from a cookbook cameo and her clear involvement in the food being served, she is nowhere to be seen. You'd think she would have showed up as one of the competition judges at least. Missed opportunity for Hallmark.

Any film and television series etc centered around food immediately has me sold. The culinary/restaurant setting has been done to death before and has been a common setting since, but anybody that loves food and loves to cook and always finds themselves salivating at different dishes on cookery competitions may find that that doesn't matter. Whenever Hallmark do this setting, it does vary in quality. Particularly in the storytelling and whether the characters are any good.

2022's 'Always Amore' is one of the food-centered Hallmark films that works and up there with the best of them. Have seen some food-centered Hallmark and Lifetime films over the past few months, especially the Christmas films, that have really not worked for reasons other than setting, but this felt like a refreshment in comparison to those. It is a treat for anybody that loves food, culinary heritage and loves to cook and is not only a menu worth trying out but it is a tasty one. 'Always Amore' is one of the better 2022 Hallmark films and much better than the previous food-set Hallmark film 'Welcome to Mama's'.

It is not perfect, have yet to see a Hallmark film that's perfect (even the best ones). Did feel that the ending could have slowed down and was too neat.

Do agree that everything with still keeping the old menu, when revamping it would have decreased the bankruptcy risk, and the whole not trying out dishes not created by the owner didn't ring true.

Really liked everything else though. Autumn Reeser is endlessly engaging and has a lot of perky charm about her. Another (justifiable) Hallmark regular Tyler Hynes is very comfortable and easy going in his likeable role. Their chemistry is very genuine and never felt false or bland, it is a very understated one but there was chemistry in my view. It was great that it was not underused and didn't play fiddle to any conflict concerning the restaurant. The supporting cast are solid and the characters were ones worth engaging with.

The restaurant setting is portrayed in a very affectionate way and the passion for food was clear, it is really made the most of and what happens behind the scenes is realistic. Any conflict is unforced and has some uncertainty that makes one root for things to be okay. The script is a mix of amusingly light hearted and heart warming sentiment, without being juvenile or too sentimental. The story is not an original one, but it has a lively energy, doesn't take itself too seriously while not treating it as a joke and is cute. The characters are ones worth caring for and the film looks very nice and isn't over-scored.

Concluding, very tasty and fullfilling if not completely cooked all the way through. 7/10.