L'Inconnu du bal

This tv movie is a sweet, very romantic story about two college best friends, who discover their true feelings about one another a bit late in life. It benefits from being tied in to a serious enviromental theme of preserving a botanical garden that is at risk for being turned into a condo/mall money-maker. Both leads are established made-for-tv movie stars and are very appealing favorites. However. both seemed a bit mature in years to be experiencing such a romantic realization. Having been best friends in college, and then each going their separate way is a good beginning background story..But Danica McKellar is 43 and Cameron Mathieson is 48..leaving this viewer to wonder how the audience is expected to believe that more than 20 years had passed before they revealed their true feelings. Their romance seemed more appropriate for people in their late 20's, perhaps mid-thirties..but not at age 43 and 48. Something about Cameron Mathison's wide-eyed, innocent portrayal of a very smart botanist left one in disbelief. He is too mature and too established an actor to portray such an immature suitor. Danica McKellar is always lovely and takes her roles seriously. However, at this time of her own career, she might want to rethink all that long hair and all those tendrils around her face. She is far too beautiful to cover so much of her beauty with all that fussy hair. The second male lead, Damon Runyon, is under-used in Hallmark films. He is handsome, talented and very much leading man material. He needs to be moved out of the 'other man'/bad guy roles.

I went into this movie not knowing much and expecting an overused plot. The movie, while mantaining its hallmark (pun intended) seemed somehow different.

Helen is a florist (Danica McKellar). Her best friend is Henry, who works at the botanical garden. (Cameron Mathison). While they are at a party Helen connects with this other guy and is determined to find out who he is the day after. She, of course, asks Henry to help her. Not aware he is in love with her (and viceversa).

Both Danica and Cameron deliver an acceptable performance. However, I gotta admit that Danica always shines on her own. Pretty good chemistry between the two of them. Another surprise for me.

At the beginning of the movie there is a mention of a contest and of course Helen has THE perfect flower to present. (I've seen this before with flowers, wine and even perfume) but I was pleasantly surprised when I didn't see the contest and not a good cause to save (wait for it).

My favorite aspect of the movie was the fact that the main characters are not strangers, exes, nor colleagues who are forced to work together. And is there a better trope than two best friends who love each other but are too stubborn to admit it? Only a few. Once again, to my surprise, the "mystery man" - aka boyfriend? - was not an absolute narcissist, focused only on himself, which was a nice change.

Can be talk about the fact that it was Damon Ruyan? Someone who already has movies as the main character?

Dislikes? Only a few: The classic "I wanted a fairy tale story" which is extremely overused and tiring. And while the ending was lovely, I believe it was too much of a leap? But y'all be the judge of that.

I read other reviews (Danica doesn't do her hair, the hired stylist does) and thought another review was needed. I loved this movie (and I am not a big Hallmark movie buff). The story line was unique, albeit a bit 'Cinderella'-ish with him leaving the boutonniere behind. The idea of a botanical garden was a refreshing change and that it's head botanist was re-connecting with a florist was destined, ala the florist's parents, and sweet. The acting was good and in fact I thought Damon's personality to be a bit snooty and aristocratic, not at all suited to Danica's character. What I did have trouble believing was grass in NYC in front of any store and other than in Central Park. I also questioned the level of snow as NYC would keep things cleared, for the most part. And, the setting of NYC could have been plausible if the exteriors were not so 'small town', precisely what Hamilton, ONT is: small town. All in all, it's a delightful movie and the ending was touching, and most unexpected.

'Very, Very Valentine' is the second 2018 Countdown to Valentine's Day film from Hallmark. The first being 'My Secret Valentine'. It stars two of Hallmark's most popular regular actors Danica McKellar and Cameron Mathison, Mathison is always worth watching even in the not so good films but McKellar can be a bit too more of the same in her typecast roles. Hallmark do vary when it comes to their Valentine's Day films, which is not a surprise as all their seasonal blocks are inconsistent.

Luckily, 'Very, Very Valentine' is a winner and as far as the Valentine's Day films from Hallmark go it compares favourably. Similarly it compares favourably when it comes to talking about Hallmark's 2018 films, without being among the very best. It is a good representation of both McKellar and Mathison and one of the films to see if usually McKellar's appeal is lost on you (have seen this quite a lot in reviews for some of her other films so that's why it's being mentioned).

By all means, 'Very, Very Valentine' isn't mind blowing. Story-wise, it is very formulaic, where most plot points are foreseeable well before they happen (due to Hallmark doing them a number of times before). And also on the lightweight side, meaning on the slightly thin side and also where it is all wonderfully pleasant and polite with lots of charm but also with not a lot of depth or goal.

Occasionally the dialogue is on the corny side and some of the editing is a little disorganised and in the wrong order like.

However, there is a lot to like about 'Very, Very Valentine'. McKellar is charming and perky in a role that may not be too much of a stretch for her but it's not dull or annoying. Mathison is every bit as appealing and always looks relaxed and positive in energy, as well as showing his usual subtle natural charisma. Their chemistry is warm and charming, and never feels forced. The supporting cast are good too, especially Damon Runyan as the sort of Hallmark cliche character that can be played too much of a jerk but here played in a way that refreshingly makes it easy to root for him.

Also thought that the scenery was beautiful to watch and that the photography complemented it nicely, never cheapening it. The music didn't come over as over-powering or used too much. The film is assuredly directed, while the script mostly flows well and has an appealing light-hearted-ness. The story is cute and heart-warming and even with the predictability being high there is also a cheerful energy that stops it from getting mundane and although prematurely telegraphed the ending is also surprisingly touching. Characters that didn't sound like that they would be appealing conceptually did turn out to be a lot more interesting and easier to get behind than expected.

In summary, not great but a very pleasant watch. 7/10.

The core story in "Cyrano" is his unspoken love for Roxanne and willing to do whatever it takes for her happiness, even if it means coaching someone else that she is attracted to. That is pretty much what happens here when she meets a mysterious new guy and her old friend from college tries to help out, even though HE has always loved her.

SHE is a florist who also breeds new varieties. HE is a Botanist but with the local Botanical Gardens in financial trouble may need to move on. However HE gets her to enter her yet unnamed new rose hybrid in the big contest.

The new guy, a lawyer working with clients to turn the Botanical Gardens into new condos, turns out to be a dud, just like in "Cyrano" and it is up to her old friend to wake up and realize SHE and HE belong together.

This is a pleasant Hallmark movie but lacks some of the zippiness of the better Hallmark movies. My wife and I enjoyed it at home on DVD from our public library.