Frozen in Love (2018 TV Movie) User Reviews

Easily one of the best Hallmark Winterfest themed movies I have seen

[wwaigl · 8/10 · 20 March 2018]

I can see reading other reviews that some love the movie, and others where kinda "mehh" about it. I am a single dad and usually watch these movies with my teen daughter. I have also reviewed several other Hallmark Christmas movies since I started getting hooked on them in 2016. Others in their reviews have outlined the plot so I shall not touch on that in my comments and instead focus on our impressions of the movie.

Speaking for both of us, we really enjoyed this movie. We found it more realistic and relatable then many of the other hallmark holiday season themed movies and we thought the chemistry between the leads was great. I have never been a Rachel Cook fan, and even in this movie it took a bit of time to warm up to her, although at the end of the movie I thought she looked very pretty. On the other hand I have always really liked Niall Matter in these types of movies - he fits into the characters they have him portray very well and we thought he hit a home run in this movie. My daughter is reminding me we saw him as the lead in another Hallmark holiday movie last year which we also enjoyed.

There were many occasions during the movie where we laughed, and otherwise we always had a smile on our faces. It was an enjoyable movie. I think most Hallmark fans would be charmed by this movie.

We felt this movie deserved a very good rating. Please note we rate relative to the genre. For a Hallmark movie this was a home run, and so it gets a 9 in that context.

Amazing storyline!

[MIssM19 · 7/10 · 15 January 2018]

Hallmark has made clear two things: that Niall Matter can indeed skate on ice and that Rachel Leigh Cook remains as a strong leading lady.

While I was excited to watch this movie, I finished it a little disappointed. I thought the storyline was great -kudos to Rachel who was part of the creation of the story- I mean, there was a bookstore involved! Mary was an extremely relatable character and Adam was different to all the sweet/charming guys Niall Matter plays. However, I read in social media that the chemistry was crazy good. I'm sorry to say I didn't see it that way. They obviously got along great but it was not the same chemistry Rachel has with Brendan Penny of Niall with Erin Krakow. Yet, their job portraying their characters was good.

My favorite part about the movie was definitely the storyline/plot, which was pretty original compared to others, and Rachel's performance. You do want to watch this.

Frozen in Love

[studioAT · 7/10 · 25 February 2021]

I had previously only seen Rachael Lee Cook in those 'Vineyard' Hallmark films, and felt she was a bit wooden, so didn't hold out a lot of hope for this.

I was pleased to be proved wrong. This is a good Hallmark film, and she is given far more of a character to play, displaying a nice dry wit.

With a good story, and some nice chemistry between the leads I would certainly recommend this film.

War of tw different worlds

[Jackbv123 · 6/10 · 15 January 2018]

Mary Cartwright is a dinosaur trying to run a brick and mortar book store. This movie is another of the overused my-store-is-in-trouble stories. And Mary refuses to consider doing anything to compete in the modern world of book selling. Meanwhile Adam Clayborn is a bad boy hockey player who needs to repair his image. The brilliant idea in this movie is to put the two together to help each other. Problem is they are totally oil and water. The first half of the movie focuses on the two themes - Mary vs Adam, and Mary as inflexible. At times the acting is exaggerated to emphasize these themes. I didn't care for it, but many people would enjoy the humor of the situations.

About half way through, the two enemies start to learn things about each other which obviously is intended to change their points of view. They continue to rub each other the wrong way for a while, but it starts to look a little like flirting.

I would have liked to see more of Adam and Mary and less whining about the store. The relationship doesn't sell on screen as much as it could.

Seems to me that PR lady should have dropped a little hint to the hockey team management that someone might post on social media about Adam bailing on his commitment to the store especially after the giveaway at the game by the bookstore. Actually, it is totally unrealistic that Erica would have done that and that no one on the store's side would have objected. You don't have a PR event where the key advertised celebrity doesn't show up. That's not good press for the team either. True, some device was needed to cause the conflict, but this one was a poor excuse.

nice

[Kirpianuscus · 1 January 2021]

A bookshop not in the best situation and a hockey star looking for repair his public image. And, as a sort of Cupido, a PR agent. A film giving what you expect grace for Niall Matter experience, for the nice story, with each piece of predactibility, for tension and unrealism, for books - Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Wuthering Heights are the best, no doubts- and for the atmosphere. Shor, nice.

Great heartwarmer!

[jml1988 · 7/10 · 20 December 2019]

I really enjoyed this movie. The initial conflict was totally relatable and understandable, and their slow appreciation for each other was genuine and well acted. The ending was great! I also can't help but love any movie set around a bookstore.

Solid movie, but it could have been better!

[Victor-J-1964 · 6/10 · 14 January 2018]

Mary Cartwright (Rachel Leigh Cook) a book-store owner struggling financially, and suspended hockey player Adam Clayborn (Niall Matter) needing to clean up his bad boy/hot temper attitude are paired together to achieve their objectives. The story is solid and the supporting cast is entertaining, especially Mary's brother Tyler Cartwright (Niall Matter).

While I am a fan of Rachael Leigh Cook and Niall Matter I don't feel that their chemistry was very convincing. I still give it a solid 6 but it isn't anything that I will look forward to seeing again.

1/13/2018 --- Victor J.

Cute movie

[fluffchop · 6/10 · 20 September 2021]

I realise this is made for TV and still it is quite cute and cuddly in it's execution. Is that the Hallmark mark? I suppose it must be. I found the dialog to be quite fluffy and nice and it has an atmosphere of playful banter that is just plain lovely. So as a movie that sets out to be what it is it's a winner.

Enjoyable

[jonathanrspalding · 9/10 · 29 January 2018]

I think this movie is the best of the 2018 Winter Movies by Hallmark. Not exactly a high achievement, but an achievement none the less. However, one criticism I would have is that it really ended king of flat and had a contrived (even by Hallmark standards) dramatic choice that in reality could have been resolved by one phone call.

The thing that set this movie apart is that it was actually funny, especially in the first hour. Even though Hallmark movies are billed as romantic comedies they usual focus on romance and not the comedy.

Also, this movie had a very good supporting cast of characters which is not always a given in this kind of movie giving the film some depth and some of its funny lines.

The other criticism I would have is despite being depicted as a "bad boy" the hero did not really seem as a guy who would keep getting tossed from games and dumped by teams. I mean he had a favorite book. However, that was understandable because Halmark does not want the heorine to fall for a loser.

All in all enjoyable, but not quite great.

Ordinary Romance

[atlasmb · 6/10 · 9 November 2021]

No surprise, this Hallmark romance features a couple that seems incompatible at the beginning, but morphs into true love. Unfortunately, there is little chemistry throughout the film, so when they get together in the end, it feels somewhat false.

Rachael Leigh Cook plays Mary Campbell, a bookstore owner. Niall Matter plays Adam Clayborn, a professional hockey player. Their fortunes are joined when a PR firm tries to rehab both of their images concurrently. In the course of the campaign, each learns more about what they want from life.

The dialogue is not sparkling. The energy is not high. So, this romance deserves a lower score than the best of them.

Not a great Hallmark romance

[jensenholmesPA · 5/10 · 22 January 2018]

I was looking forward to all of the 2018 Winterfest movies. So for the only one I've liked is Love on the Slopes. (Though I have high hopes for Winter's Dream with Dean Cain).

In Frozen in Love, I found the female lead, Rachel Leigh Cook, really annoying. I love books and bookstores and libraries, but she was just ridiculous with her adament clinging to the past and refusal to do anything to help her bookstore modernize and survive. Her immediate antagonism for a guy who just wants a freaking cup of coffee comes off as extremely bitchy and rude. For the first half of the movie, she was just so over-the-top snotty. Yes, I know romances need to show character growth, but in this case, it was too extremely and unrealistic. and it made me dislike her character so much, I didn't want the guy to fall for her.

I never felt the chemistry between these characters. Nor did it make sense to me a big time jock would fall for this small-minded, snobby woman. Why?

The male lead (Niall Matter) was good despite this. I would definitely watch another movie with him as the co-star.

The plot is also problematic. A famous bad-boy athlete is paired with a little indie bookshop as a PR stunt to help his rep? Why? This makes no sense to me. And then the way he dumps the store at the end -- a typical romance "angst point" ruse -- just didn't work. It didn't make sense that his team manager would put him on this PR stunt in the first place, and then pull him out of it at the last moment. Wouldn't that further hurt his rep?

Overall, this not one of the better Hallmarks. There are plenty of others to watch. Take a pass on this one.

Hang in

[poolede · 8/10 · 20 November 2021]

This one gets much better if you can hang in till the second half. The chemistry between the two main characters really comes out. I'm not sure how it will end up, but it's worth waiting for.

Goof

[sueraebell · 7/10 · 23 January 2020]

Nice to see the Tim Horton advertising sign in the background at the first team meeting. Too bad there are probably none in the USA!

Female lead is horrible

[mommad-63909 · 1/10 · 24 September 2018]

Female lead is so annoying it's impossible to watch. Recorded it & deleted it in less than 15 minutes.

One of the better ones and well worth a watch!

[jagfannn · 9/10 · 30 October 2020]

Take a nerdy, know-it-all yet sheltered book store owner, add a self centered, bad-boy hockey player who must depend on each other to achieve their goals and hilarity ensues. Their constant back and forth will keep you laughing the whole movie. It's a don't miss, oil and water romance

Nothing special

[chiaragiacobelli · 5/10 · 17 June 2019]

I watched this movie in english and it was good only for my learning of the language. The plot is quite stupid and banal, I didn't like the actors and everything here is really mediocre. It was supposed to be a love story but there is not so much love and romanticism; what is more, the woman protagonist of the movie is very upsetting. I expected something more.

What is chemistry?

[psd-61514 · 9/10 · 23 January 2021]

Watching this movie again tonight, I saw more of the subtlety of the story line. And,I saw plenty of chemistry. It isn't only kissing and being in love. It's the relationship between people and not limited by romance. Niall and RLC had a great relationship evolve with funny conversations, twinkling eyes , intense gazes , and a friendship. That to me is " chemistry " This movie is more than worth a second look. So well written, acted and directed. Watch it for the great chemistry, family strength, character and lastly, love. I'd be up for watching it next year to see what else I can learn from it. Remember that these are Hallmark movies, some better than others. But they are a much needed chance to forget LIFE for a couple of hours. Politics?, quarantine? Don't dissect,..... enjoy.

don't waste your time

[ronbokirk · 1/10 · 22 January 2018]

Rachael Leigh Cook was wonderful, as usual. She developed her character and actually gave her emotions that you could feel. The story was original, The writing was good, even most of the casting was good. Niall Matter is another story. He could be well cast as a best friend, cousin, brother, but NEVER EVER the male lead in a romance movie. He has played opposite several really good actresses always the same result. Absolutely no chemistry between them. He can skate, and read lines but his portrayal is flat and without feeling. The necessary chemistry is missing. Maybe Hallmark can use him in a mystery, but his performance in this one ruined what could have been a good movie. my score...1

RLC shines

[ISmellSnow · 9/10 · 31 August 2020]

I absolutely love the banter between Rachael & Niall. The plot is a tad better than normal Hallmark movies, but the actors are what make it. Rachael Leigh Cook is a delight, as always!

They should have just been plutonic....

[PerryAtTheMovies · 5/10 · 4 December 2023]

5.2/10

This one is definitely pass for me. I didn't feel a click between the two leads. There wasn't any drama or passion between them. They were just kind of existing in the same world.

I found Rachael Leigh Cook to be monotonous even when activities are done that would, or should, excite her character she just kept the same tone and expressions throughout.

The story doesn't feel very romanticized. It takes far too long to develop emotions and feelings. If you take the love aspect out of the film then it becomes a nice story of two people trying to make each other better, but the aspect of love ruins it. That being said, there is some good development as individuals for the characters and it's something I appreciated.

Overall, as a romance film it falls very short of expectations. It has its cute moments, but not in a loving kind of way. If they had just been acquaintances then it would've been a lot better. Since that's not the case. It's a pass for me.

That's all for now. Thank you for taking the time to read my review. Until next time.... Enjoy the show!

Fun fact: It was filmed in Revelstoke, BC. It's only fun cause I Googled one of the restaurants and found its only location on the map.

Opposites are good for each other in this friction-y rom com with books and hockey!

[cgvsluis · 8/10 · 17 February 2022]

"He's so maddening, he just pushes my buttons!"

Two immovable objects set in their ways must work together in a mutually beneficial way to improve both their images.

He's a bad boy hockey player. She's a small local bookstore owner. He's been suspended and her business is way down.

Can they help each other before they kill one another?

Mary and Adam do not get along and their first meeting is nothing short of a disaster.

"You can be the hero that rescues a beloved neighborhood institution. It's like you're Superman and she's your Lois lane."

"It's like you're Henry Higgins to his Eliza Doolittle."

The two end up discussing War of The Worlds on a podcast that ends up being liquid gold...just enough sparks to get everyone's attention.

"Besides it doesn't matter how many times you fall down. It only matters how many times you get back up again."-Adam.

"You get hit in the head, a lot, so can we trust your opinion?"-Mary.

"I don't not like her, she just drives me crazy."-Adam.

This was a fun opposites attract romantic comedy involving books and hockey. It's like a match made in heaven! Niall Matter and Racheal Leigh Cook are fantastic together. This actually really worked and I recommend it to all those romantics out there...especially if you are like me a book loving girl with a hockey playing husband! Enjoy!

Female lead has the personality of a wet rock

[lauraly-81582 · 1/10 · 11 January 2024]

The.female lead in this is one of the most unlikeable characters I've ever seen in a movie. Boring, negative , close minded, stuffy...honestly I think this movie could have been good with a different female actress. The male lead was like able and a good actor and I feel like with someone else it would've made a huge difference. The storyline had potential, but I just could not get past the first ten minutes. Maybe she gets better as the movie goes on but I don't care enough to waste my time. There are too many other good movies out there to watch. Save yourself some time and skip this one. Hallmark, please do not use her as a leading lady. She's not good.

Pleasantly surprised

[MickyG333 · 8/10 · 13 February 2023]

8.2 stars.

I did not expect such an inspiring story to emerge from this film whatsoever. It was a joy and a pleasure to be a part of it. A man, a trouble maker, is taught a lesson not just about second chances, but fourth and fifth ones. A woman's life trajectory of low self-confidence and isolation is reversed and she learns to expand her horizons.

The sheer number of tearful moments is astonishing, because "Frozen in Love" was expected to be a routine Hallmark film. The title is misleading, because it's no indicator of the theme, which is actually about charity and vindication. Forgiveness is at the core of freedom of expression, and the potential for friendship and love.

Now that I've expressed the crux of "Frozen in Love", the second best aspect, and veritably as significant, is the attraction between the leads. Although there is a willful scarcity of romance, the objective was met in that final stroke of passion. You cannot miss the last 5 minutes.

Books and skating for the win

[eltripbb · 10/10 · 20 January 2021]

Add another star to Niall Matters credentials-he is a terrific ice skater. He and Rachel Cook were a perfect match for their roles. So enjoyed watching them gradually fall in love and wondering when they were going to share that with the audience. I was so excited when they finally kissed and shared their feelings. I was anxiously waiting for that to happen. Loved this movie!

There more you watch, the better it gets.

[dgzeman · 8/10 · 21 September 2019]

Great Hallmark movie. The characters growing on you the more you watch, there's little-to-no conflict amongst the main characters, with a great ending.