Coup de foudre sous les tropiques

Liked Catherine Bells' performance and that of a winning cast. Impossible to not love the idyllic setting. One thing that grated is the title. Weren't they only there a vacation of 1 - 2 weeks? Good to see diversity and depiction of strong, credible single family units.

Movies like this usually come down to the performances of the lead stars and also on the chemistry.

Catherine Bell is quietly good and her chemistry with Cameron Mathison works, but also with her screen daughter Samantha MacGillivray. This is a mother and daughter that has a little bit of that teenage tension, but there is obviously deep love between them.

The story revolves around Will and Jessica being thrown together often with a bit of backstory based on ex-spouses.

The setting is beautiful. Who can argue with Fiji, which is listed as the location.

Unremarkable plot and writing made watchable by the luminous Catherine Bell and her chemistry with another Hallmark regular, Cameron Mathison. 50 year old Ms Bell, who looks 40 at the most, plays her age with an older teen daughter and is paired age appropriately with the male lead. Of course, Hallmark being Hallmark they couldn't resist casting a 10 years younger actor for Cameron's rival for her affections. In addition to the big plus of two attractive leads who are also more than competent actors, the beautiful scenery adds to the charm. Most importantly there is an easy rapport between all of the likable cast. They seemed to all be having a good time (and who wouldn't in beautiful Fiji?) and genuinely like each other. I felt sorry for the poor actress who had to stay in the states and do much of her part on Skype. All in all, a likable entry with few if any cringe-worthy moments from the Hallmark movie assembly line.

The photography of the tropical scenery is above the usual Hallmark standard. You all know what is going to happen but the setting is nice. Catherine Bell lovely as always plays a doctor and single mom widow who goes back to her honeymoon Fijian island resort. She meets a doctor but there's also the owner played by Cameron Mathison.

I loved it. I was glad to see a Mature relationship that involved Understanding and not mis-understanding. I wish that it had included the location so I could go there.