How you rate this film depends upon the benchmark you are using. On the one hand there is nothing exceptional about it, it excels at nothing. This is Director Jonas Elmer's first major feature and he and the studio take no chances. On the other, as a light romantic comedy, clinging for dear life to a tried and tested formula, it is enjoyable and executes its task perfectly well.
The plot synopsis is very straight forwards. City high flyer Lucy Hill ,played by Renee Zellweger is sent to backwater Minesota to "downsize" and ultimately close a food production plant. Upon arrival the locals amuse themselves with her unfamiliarity with local ways. She falls in love with her nemesis , Harry Connick Jnr as Ted Williams the Union representative, is won over by the town's quirky charm, saves the Plant from closure and everyone lives happily ever after.
A number of scenes, notably the hunting one, are genuinely funny, and the various town characters are affectionately and warmly played. The merits of the simple family life are a cornerstone of the films values, as much as the, "cold weather but warm people symbolism." But Zellweger is fine ,though Harry Connick Jnr struggles to convince as her love interest in an under written role. Her high heels will have women green with envy, and set men's pulses racing. The slight story at 97 minutes is probably 10 minutes too long. But the feel good schmaltzy ending will send devotees, and the casuals,home perfectly content.
The plot synopsis is very straight forwards. City high flyer Lucy Hill ,played by Renee Zellweger is sent to backwater Minesota to "downsize" and ultimately close a food production plant. Upon arrival the locals amuse themselves with her unfamiliarity with local ways. She falls in love with her nemesis , Harry Connick Jnr as Ted Williams the Union representative, is won over by the town's quirky charm, saves the Plant from closure and everyone lives happily ever after.
A number of scenes, notably the hunting one, are genuinely funny, and the various town characters are affectionately and warmly played. The merits of the simple family life are a cornerstone of the films values, as much as the, "cold weather but warm people symbolism." But Zellweger is fine ,though Harry Connick Jnr struggles to convince as her love interest in an under written role. Her high heels will have women green with envy, and set men's pulses racing. The slight story at 97 minutes is probably 10 minutes too long. But the feel good schmaltzy ending will send devotees, and the casuals,home perfectly content.