Mon futur ex et moi

Loved it loved it loved it! Although I am a Hallmark fanatic, this is the best movie ever.

There were two main reasons for watching 'Autumn Dreams'. One was that it was part of my recently started quest to see as many Hallmark films as possible. The other was Jill Wagner, have seen her in a good number of Hallmark films and have always been impressed by her. The films themselves varied (as is the case with pretty much all actors and actresses), but Wagner has never been less than watchable and in her best Hallmark performances she is very good.

She does not disappoint here with 'Autumn Dreams', the film that kicks off the 2015 Fall Harvest seasonal block and a good way to begin probably the best and most consistent seasonal block that year. With it being the only seasonal block where this reviewer liked all three of the ones seen. 'Autumn Dreams' has one of the more mature subjects of Hallmark's 2015 output and handles it with sensitivity without being over-serious, even if it is not always realistic.

The story is not out of the ordinary and has slow spots. Everything with the misunderstanding with her father felt rather forced and too unlikely.

Did find the ending too neat and too hasty too.

'Autumn Dreams' succeeds in so many areas however. Wagner gives a very nuanced yet spirited performance, and is ideally matched in the subtle charm and easy going nature departments by Colin Egglesfield. Their chemistry is very understated and maybe could have been developed more, but they look natural together and it feels genuine. The supporting cast are solid, with Ken Tremblett's performance being deeply felt.

Liked too that the characters weren't too perfect or overly-negative, while not complex and quite cliched they also weren't ciphers. It's a beautifully filmed film too and the scenery captivates in beauty. The music at least fits and doesn't overbear. The script doesn't take itself too seriously, allowing some unforced light-hearted-ness, while also not getting too sentimental. It flowed naturally too. The story isn't exceptional and had imperfections, but it was moving, well meaning, didn't feel too predictable, nothing insulted the intelligence and while gentle in pace generally it wasn't dull.

Overall, not great but a lot to like. 7/10.

Jill Wagner Colin Egglesfield have great chemistry in this Hallmark movie. It is one of my favourites - I watch it every year when the play it in the fall.

Autumn Dreams is one of what I call the 'professional' Hallmark movies with Jill Wagner at the helm. It's a good premise with a good strong cast. Unlike the low budget, amateurish subpar ones we are seeing more and more of.

The actor playing Ben is a little weak and stiff but she mostly drags him up to her level. I don't really see the chemistry between them but she carries the load. His lawyer and driver more than make up for his weakness. He's also not a very good match to the youth playing his younger self which makes me wonder if he was a last minute switch in. Every one else is great.

It's another "she didn't get his letters and he never got hers" after they broke up years earlier when he left Iowa for NY after marrying her at 18yrs old. Her father felt they were far too young and had the marriage annulled.

Out of the blue she gets word that she's still married and is given a subpoena to appear in court in NYC immediately to sort it all out. There are enough twists and turns to make it really enjoyable rather than just predictable. There are glaring plot holes but I didn't dwell on any of them and really enjoyed the movie.

The movie is very reminiscent of Pretty Woman for me. I don't agree with the bad reviews, I like both leads and the driver . I have seen it twice on Hallmark and enjoyed it enough to buy it. That is why I watch Hallmark, for romantic, soft love stories. It fits the bill.