The Royal We

This was a fun trip into the Hallmark alternate universe. Some parts of that universe are just a little different (no worries walking late at night, no one strutting around with guns) but this is the part with many small countries with people speaking in posh English accents.

What makes or breaks a Hallmark movie are relatable characters (even if they are royalty) and writing that shows some respect for the audience within the rules of that universe. This movie delivers on both with the added bonus of beautiful scenery, clearly being made before money was funneled elsewhere and movies were given short shrift. The leads are adorable, and you are rooting for them all the way. No fainting princesses or overbearing princes here- truly a modern fairy tale with a bright, inspiring and empowered princess.

OK- watched again and added a star. I so much enjoyed a story with two nice people who are equals. Not one rich/one poor or royal/commoner or boss/employee. The actors are so perfectly matched and charming together it may make it hard for them to move on to other co-stars :-) And the supporting cast being over the top seems so appropriate for a fairy tale. So definitely recommend for Hallmark fans.

I feel bad for Mallory Jansen. Her very first appearance in this movie was ghastly as the character Bea has been mourning a very recent breakup by abusing herself with ice cream and sweets. It truly was a memorable look and not flattering. The first of many laughs.

While Bea's BFF, Chloe is played by Rae Lim a little over the top, Mallory is an excellent comedic foil while still being the main protagonist. The dialogue between them and between Bea and the prince's party is sparkling and funny. The dialogue between the elders (mostly the Kings) of the two families is supposed to be funny, but the sarcasm has more bite to it.

Mallory also does a good job switching between her two personalities. There is the transplanted Bostonian (but with a more neutral American accent rather than a Boston one). And there is the educated multilingual Princess whose sentences always use the royal We.

This premise is really unusual. Two Royals building a relationship, not one. Bea is coerced into being courted by Prince Desmond as a prelude to engagement to allow a chance for peace to be negotiated between the two countries.

What follows, that is the courting process, is entertaining. There is more good dialogue. Mallory appears to be enjoying her role as she tries to loosen up the Prince.

I found a quick scene between Bea and her mother interesting in the way it turned the common theme of the sacrifice of royal responsibility in reverse. Bea is seen convincing the Queen that it was necessary for Bea to sacrifice her previously simple life for the good of the kingdom.

The story evolves in ways you might expect but with plenty of fun and laughs. Even the climax is properly irreverent.

And one final clever addition at the very end, while our couple discusses invitations for a coming gathering, they just happen to incidentally introduce the main characters for the coming Hallmark Royal movies in March.

I have to add that I am usually condescending about Royal movies, but this is one of the best ones I can remember. It is simply well done.

Added one week later: I often say one of the real tests of how much you like a movie is if you watch it again. I've watched this completely twice more and enjoyed it all three times.

I'm looking forward to part 2! It's not one of your boring royalty movies, and it's adorable! It's a natural comedy and romance, like how a natural relationship should be experienced.

Flick Chick, but if you are inspired with royalties with romance and a touch of humor. I recommend watching this! It doesn't complicate anything, it's a mere scenario where anything can turn around, and problems can be solved with "SMART goals". It doesn't need complex plot twists and intense drama, as it simply acquires "simplicity in its beauty."

I love Hallmark movies, and they never fail to amuse and catch my attention, especially when I am in a "movie mood". This movie just fits the moment.

6.7 stars.

If I were rating the scrip, dialogue and overall entertainment value only, this would be a 5.7. But I must take into account the cinematography, story, mood and setting, and other various aspects that felt quite adeptly presented.

The overall production is obviously on a higher plane than your average Hallmark, and everything felt like it should have wowed. But there were a few major factors that fell well short of the mark. For me, entertainment value is the most important, which this movie lacks. A close second, which generally goes hand in hand is rewatchability, and I have no desire to revisit this film.

'The Royal We' is simply missing chemistry and urgency, there's no yearning for love, no anticipation, no flow. It's just a very nice movie with no substance. It does not evoke an emotional reaction.

I really like the lead female, thus I raise my rating another bit from 6.0 to 6.4, and the ending was somewhat endearing, thus elevating it to 6.7, so as to round up to 7. This is for the sake of consistency, because good quality movie making and high production value account for something.

Another dumb Hallmark movie about "royalty". Hallmark should stay thousands of miles away from any movie with royals. Anyone who has seen "The Crown" laughs at these "royal rom-coms". Leave these type of films to Netflix, they do a far better job with this topic because they have better researchers and writers.

The script and dialog are a disaster, the casting is questionable. Rae Lim is terrible as Chloe along with the two kings If they are going to go cheap on the script, then hire some good actors. Making movies isn't cheap and this one was a waste of good money. Another waste of money are the serials like the one about a wedding veil which was dumb.