Un amour de bodyguard

Hallmark have done a lot of royal-themed films and the quality of them has really varied. Some being surprisingly good, some watchable if rather average and some really bad. Have watched many Hallmark films with very mixed expectations prior to watching and 2022's 'A Royal Runaway Romance' was one of those initially when hearing that it was another royal themed film. Expectations did increase however when seeing the synopsis and seeing that there was a road trip twist.

2022 was a varied year for Hallmark, which was as has been said more than once not unexpected (as it is the same with previous years too). With some very good films, some very bad films and some that ranged between mediocre and slightly above average. 'A Royal Runaway Romance' is one of the good ones and was close to being one of the very good ones once it got going. Much has been said about the lack of location authenticity and geographical errors, but am going to talk more about what matters to me more. So quality of writing, storytelling and acting for examples. While failing on the authenticity, 'A Royal Runaway Romance' mostly succeeds in most areas.

It is not flawless. Phillippa Northeast does start off stiff and her character does come over as a bit too immature and naive at points. There is some awkwardness early on.

At times too, there is a stock look to the production values, meaning stock footage like.

Most of the time though, it looks quite nice. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous and the photography is mostly slick. The music at least fits and is pleasant enough, though never anything exceptional. Really liked the barn dance song. The script is light hearted and also has a warm heart, did appreciate that it didn't rush the relationship, overdo the antagonism, allow the playfulness to shine and didn't rush the softening.

Furthermore, the story on the whole is very engaging. It is predictable and starts awkwardly, but never takes itself too seriously while never feeling like a parody. Like the script, it is agreeably light hearted and charming while with a warm centre while the characters and relationship soften. The ending is sweet and while not surprising it doesn't feel too pat. The characters were likeable and worth connecting with on the whole, Brant Daugherty's character's development was very striking. Northeast does become much more natural and really matures into the role, so overall it is a charming performance that didn't look that experienced. Daugherty is also charming and easy going, while shining in his character's more vulnerable moments. Their chemistry is witty and touching. The supporting cast are solid.

Concluding, well done. 7/10.

The obvious try to be a different Hallmark romance is the main motif to define it as more than another nice film.

First virtue are the actors -the handsome Brant Daugherty ( including in shirtless scene ) in fair and clever driven orole of bodygurd , friend and true love of a princess, Philippa Northeast as interesting version, off course, with significant differences, of Audrey Hepburn from Roman Holiday, Sara -Jane Redmond as perfect queen and. Vincent Gale as admirable uncle of too loved niece.

But the perfect " spices '' are BJ Harrison and Terence Kelly ( and the beautiful blanckett like the pearls ) and. Catherine Baroll and. Robert Wisden as The Becks.

Not the last, the travel across USA and the clash with the young artist, too selfish to be the chosen one.

A beautiful film, indeed.

8.3 stars.

Two wonderful leading actors whose chemistry is off the charts, this is a must see royal journey to find love.

The story begins on a frustrating note. A man named Wes from Chicago, and a princess, are supposedly in love. Wes is a successful painter and his current project is painting a portrait of the princess. After he's finished, he flies back to the states. Side note: It's a stretch that he is American, he is olive skinned with an eastern look and a strange accent...

Princess Amelia wants to visit him, however he becomes somewhat distant, he is a busy artist after all. She leaves nothing to chance, she is persistent, and will visit him as soon as the opportunity arises.

Two months later, Princess Amelia and her mother are visiting her uncle in Los Angeles and soon she meets Grady the head of her uncle's security detachment. The first impression is icy cold...after all he is a tall and handsome American who symbolizes power and sex appeal. Immediately, she is overwhelmingly attracted to him, but carefully masquerades as a disapproving dignitary to conceal her feelings.

She wants to fly to Chicago to see Wes, but she knows her mother will not permit it, so she persuades her uncle to allow her to sneak off via automobile. He allows it under one condition, that she be accompanied by his trusty security guard Grady.

We can guess how the story goes...

They visit many places, Princess Amelia experiences the mid-west, and she falls in love with the culture and with Grady. Oh, but she is supposed to be longing to see her painter Wes, and her feelings become confused...will her rendezvous with Wes be a game changer, or does she have stronger feelings for Grady?

We can guess how the story ends.

Introducing Princess Amelia of the made up kingdom of Bundbury. Amelia has her Royal portrait painted (and it is stunning!) and during the process falls in love with the Chicago portrait artist Wes. In order to visit Wes she contrives a Royal visit with her uncle the envoy to America, who lives in Beverly Hills. Assigned a security detail (Grady Beck) when she arrives, she initially tries to give him the slip. When caught trying to steal a vehicle to drive across country from LA to Chicago, Amelia confesses the true reason for her visit to her beloved gay uncle...who also came to America to pursue a man he loved! So, he sets Grady and Amelia up with a convertible to drive across country in, giving her a little taste of freedom before she has to assume the crown.

And along the way...well a romance blossoms with the very handsome and capable Grady. What will happen when they reach New York and her portrait artist? Well, you will just have to watch to find out!

"Sorry. It turns out I don't like being pulled away from my days off to play cross-country chauffeur."-Grady

What starts as an antagonistic relationship, softens into allies and then more.

"This is so strange, they serve breakfast here all day."-Amelia.

"He said when he travelled across America he didn't just learn about the country, but he learned about himself."-Amelia about her father

"Especially don't believe in love at first sight. It takes years to build true love and even then it might not be as true as you think. It's a two way street. Why isn't this guy meeting you halfway."-Grady.

"But it's a true American pastime isn't it? It will be just like in the movies only preferably with out the grizzly bears." -Amelia (in regards to Camping) "Yeah! Camping."

This was fun and funny. The princess was surprisingly naive. She was an American classic movie aficionado which she learned from her father. (That was fun for me as a classic movie fan myself.) She threw herself whole heartedly into learning and enjoying American customs. It was such a refreshing change from the usual American bashing.

Grady is very pragmatic, but fun loving. It was a match made in heaven. There is a beautiful song played at the barn dance that suited their trip, and they meet some lovely couples along the way to Chicago.

If you enjoy the Royal romance genre...this is Royal romance with a twist. Enjoy!

A combination of royal and road trip? 2 cliché plots in one? I didn't have much hope for this one. But I was surprised. It was just nice. Great chemistry between the two leads, thanks to fun and serious conversation. Slow burn. Anticipation of the meet up with the rival in Chicago kept the interest up. I liked the character arc of the princess who started out stiff and uninteresting, but as she opened up, her enthusiasm for American culture was endearing. Very good.