Radio romance

I like Allison Sweeney. She's a quality actress. I knew her more from her Day of Our Lives tenure, than I did with Hallmark, but I'm watching her in more Hallmark films now these days. I had fun watching this movie. Crawling through the dog door, lol! I've done that before after being locked out of my house. What else can I say? It's worthy of watching over and over again.

This movie is all about the banter back and forth between Alison Sweeney and Jonathan Scarfe. In this movie, the adversarial banter goes on longer than in a lot of movies of this type.

Both characters have very tough exteriors which are difficult to like. And it's a little more than just being tough on the outside. Both are stubborn advocates for their own gender and both exhibit some of those gender mid twentieth century stereotypes. There's a nice touch there in that each also one has at least one major characteristic opposite to those stereotypes.

Nick's softer side starts showing up before Sonia's, but they both have one. Nick also starts to show that inside he respects the opposite sex more than his reputation allows.

The story follows a predictable pattern with some well used plot devices like the misunderstood overheard conversation. But the strength of this movie isn't the story. It's in the relationships and the chemistry between the two leads.

Sonia Mayerick (Alison Sweeney) has her own female empowerment radio show in Chicago. Her selfish boyfriend Scott Ryder ends their engagement on the air after listening to the popular man-cave show hosted by Nick Linden (Jonathan Scarfe). Sonia is substituting for a radio psychiatrist. She and Nick have an encounter. When Nick starts talking about her in his show, she is shocked to discover that she has been talking to the caveman himself. She barges into his show and chemical reaction occurs.

At the start, these are two annoying personalities. They are both know-it-alls. Her boyfriend does humanize her and his history does show more sides later on. I do see what the movie is setting up. Obviously, this is a meeting of combative opposites. It's a classic romantic trope although it's a little more edgy than the usual Hallmark fare. It boils down to the likeability of the two lead actors and the speed of their characters' growth. The explosive meet-hate of the first studio booth encounter piques my interest. They soften quite nicely. The reintroduction of Scott is good although he needs a more compelling actor. Without a better Scott, the triangle isn't strong enough. This is a solid Hallmark with a little spice.

Was not entirely sure of the premise at first, have seen it done well before but have also seen it done not very well at all. Still saw 'Love on the Air' for Hallmark completest sake and because of liking a number of their 2015 films. Have seen Alison Sweeney and Jonathan Scarfe in other films, with more familiarity with Sweeney, and while both of them have variable filmographies they themselves are always watchable (especially Sweeney, a Hallmark regular and consistent).

'Love on the Air' on the whole was quite good, if not great, and one of the better Hallmark films to have this (or something similar) premise. Did think that it started off on the rough side, but it is a case of me recommending staying with it because it does get a lot better. Something that has been said quite a lot by me in regard to Hallmark and Lifetime films overtime. Both Sweeney and Scarfe are represented very well in 'Love on the Air', once their material becomes a good deal better.

Am going to mention the not so good things first. As said, it doesn't start off great. The film does go too over the top on the know it all traits present in both leads, and it came over as rather snobbish and mean spirited at first. Also felt that the banter initially was on the excessive side, and initially too hostility heavy which again felt mean spirited and forced.

The story doesn't offer any real surprises and ends a little too neatly.

Both Sweeney and Scarfe are very engaging in the lead roles, with no signs of hamminess or phoning in. They engage with their characters quite passionately while giving the right amount of energy and nuance. Their chemistry is also one of the better ones of 2015's Hallmark films, with there being some real spark, wit and charm. They are very natural together and it feels genuine while not being hasty. The supporting cast are all solid, and mostly the characters have a good deal of personality and appealing ones.

Production values are easy on the eyes, particularly the scenery, and had no issue with the placement or use of the music (which has always varied wildly with Hallmark and continues to be). The story is light hearted and heart-warming on the whole, with a good deal of heart. It may lack surprises, but the energy is always there and it doesn't get too contrived later. The script on the most part is witty and very funny in the right places, while having heartfelt moments without schmaltz getting overdone. It doesn't come over as stilted.

Summing up, quite good if not great that is worth sticking with if initially unsure. 7/10.

This one was really good, and the scene crawling through the doggie door was priceless, Loved It and Yes I recommend it. James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 1/25/2021