Was not really impressed by the previous 2016 Spring Fling films, 'All Yours' and 'Hearts of Spring' and found both of them mediocre and heavily flawed. Was hoping that 'Love by Chance' would be better, though the premise is one of those that could go either way of charming and fun or unbearably cheesy and irritating. Have liked Benjamin Ayres and Brenda Strong in other things, particularly the best known of the cast Strong, though Beau Garrett has never stood out in what has been seen of her work.
The good news is that despite having the least appealing premise 'Love by Chance' actually turned out to be the best of the three 2016 Spring Fling films mentioned in the review. It does have some good things that makes it watchable as a one time curiosity. The not so good news with 'Love by Chance' is that it is still not particularly good, with it not doing very much to make the premise more appealing. Some films actually do succeed in this aspect, and surprisingly so, but not here.
'Love by Chance's' good things will be mentioned first. Ayres is subtly charismatic and charmingly easy going, it is an understated portrayal as easily the most likeable character in the film but never a going through the motions one. Strong injects a lot of personality and spirit and gives the best performance, had issues with her character but not with Strong. If it looked as if she was overacted, it was to me really because most of everything else was underdone.
It looks nice, especially the scenery, and the music is pleasant enough and doesn't feel too much in tone or placement. There are a few amusing moments.
Garrett however is incredibly bland and charisma deprived as a character that has little personality and got on my nerves, did not like how selfish and ungrateful she was and how the film went overboard on that. Also did find the way Strong's character was written increasingly annoying, finding her too domineering and pushy and there is too much of her. There is no chemistry or spark between Garrett and Ayres and the relationship is underdeveloped and plays second fiddle to the meddling mother part of the plot.
Which is not a well written one at all, it is just too over the top ridiculous and too reliant on forced contrivances and convenient coincidences. Not to mention excessively predictable and too neatly and easily resolved. The dialogue never sounded natural, instead coming over as awkward, and the cheese really got too much. Could connect to very few of the characters, with the exception of Ayres.
Concluding, average but watchable. 5/10.
