La lettre de Holly

I don't understand myself and I make myself sick. I actually got into this.

These Hallmark movies are harmless. In particular these Signed, Sealed, and Delivered ones are on the slow side because they're not really about murder. I enjoyed it. At this point I'll do anything to get away from the news.

I really like the characters and the stories are very sweet.

There's a place for all forms of entertainment - this is a delightful series.

8.2 stars.

This is one of those Hallmark film series where they definitely have invested a lot of time and funds into making it high quality entertainment. It would seem they've allocated some of the best writing and production to the 'Signed, Sealed Delivered' franchise.

There is a lot of romantic tension between the four characters. Oliver's wife is back from Paris, we get to meet her for the first time, it's a thrilling revelation to watch him come out of his shell a little, and at the same time, watching his character's metamorphosis. In this movie, a few leaps of faith are taken and rewards are doled out. The dead letter aspect of the narrative is also quite endearing. This episode is one of the best so far, if not THE best. The dialogue is engaging and it's entertaining start to finish.

Love this SSD series so much. This was my favorite movie. First time seeing Kevin McGarry and loved his performance. Glad Hallmark made him a leading man. He's great.

Another great installment of the series. These movies have humor, love and a little bit of mystery.

I was looking forward to this episode in the Signed Sealed Delivered series as soon as I read the title, "From Paris With Love" ... at last Oliver will have to deal with his estranged wife and their future together... or not!

I was right, but I was so wrong.

There are three stories in this movie, not only does Oliver (Eric Mabius) have to choose his future but his and his wife Holly's outcome affects Shane (Kristin Booth) in a way that she had perfidiously told herself wasn't real; so she has to face up to the truth of her feelings. Them there's the story of a husband and wife going through tough times and whose marriage was on the rocks. Could trouble be waiting around the corner when The Postables deliver the divorce papers he signed years earlier?

There's quite a bit to be resolved in this episode and though the creator Martha Williamson wrote the story with Brandi Harkonen (both have strong stories in the TV series, and Williamson's were always the best of the bunch) this film feels as flat as Lassie - run over by a Steamroller. I even found one of the characters rather irksome. Holly O'Toole (played by Poppy Montgomery) is a very two-dimensional character when compared to all the others in the cast. Though I am uncertain if this is the writers' or director's fault or their vision of the character or that Montgomery couldn't portray the character correctly.

Then there's the plainly obvious fact that there's NO chemistry between Holly and Oliver. This is as shame as it would have added an interesting dynamic to the story.

I wouldn't believe it could have been either the writers' fault or the director's because of the strength of previous stories, however, the story of the husband and wife isn't as deep or as strong as it should have been. We, the audience, should have felt for them as we have felt for previous dead letter receivers. Except for this time, instead of this being the main story it actually feels more like an aside, it's told and resolved so fast that no drama or tension is created. This in itself is highly unusual for the series.

So with just these three problems the usually happy and warm atmosphere is quite diminished and verges on nonexistent. Thank god for Rita (Crystal Lowe) and Norman (Geoff Gustafson) as they keep this atmosphere ticking over. Poor Norman may have an opponent in the affections for Rita, in the shape and sound of heavily accented Ramon Rodriguez (joyously portrayed by Zak Santiago who keeps the character teetering on the edge of over-the-top).

So I will hope that this movie is the exception to the rule and hope and pray that the next instalment will have me smiling with joy, through the tears.

If you've watched the other episodes then give this a watch to tie-up loose ends. Though if you've not watched any then I'd stay clear of this one until you've caught up. It's not really a stand-alone episode, and not reflective of how good the series is.