Home by Spring

'Home by Spring' didn't leave me all that excited, with a premise that didn't really grab me and from hearing from word of mouth that it wasn't good. Still saw it anyway as a Hallmark completest, as someone who was very pleasantly surprised by the previous 2018 Spring Fever Hallmark films and because there have been films of all decades and genres that do not sound appealing on paper but turned out to be so much better than expected (was really hoping it would be the same here), so there was some hope.

Any amount of potential 'Home by Spring' had is completely squandered in a film that is mediocre at best and at times even incredibly weak. It has its moments and good things, but there are far too many debits and the worst of them are actually pretty terrible in execution. Of all the 2018 Spring Fever Hallmark films, 'Home by Spring' is a strong contender for the weakest and a major drop in quality from the previous two Spring Fever films that year.

The good things will be started off first. Poppy Drayton is very appealing as Loretta and is by far the best thing about the film, it may take a little time to feel much for her character but her character at least rings true and Drayton brings a good deal of charm to her. The supporting cast do competently with what they have, which is weak.

It looks good, Hallmark nearly always delivered when it came to the scenery and it delivers in this aspect here too. The photography complements it nicely. The music is pleasant enough.

Steven R. McQueen however for me was awful, his character is an arrogant hypocritical jerk, and pretty much stays that way (or at least feels it), and McQueen comes over as very stiff and smug, sometimes even unintentionally creepy. Other than Loretta, the only character the film tries to develop, the characters are not worth rooting or interesting and one of the film's most unrealistic elements was what Lorretta saw in Wayne (the attraction is completely lost on me). They have no chemistry together and don't seem connected.

McQueen, the uninvestable characters and the bad chemistry are not the only bad things. The dialogue is really stilted and has a lot of pongy cheese and sickly sweet schmaltz, also found it pretty bland. The story is similarly bland and has no charm or heart, it takes itself too seriously (especially with the character writing for Wayne) and is very pedestrian in pace. Not to mention that it is very predictable from doing nothing new with a formula that was tried and tested well before 'Home by Spring' was made. The direction lacks any kind of distinction.

Overall, mediocre with a few quite good elements (Drayton), a lot of bad and a couple of terrible. 4/10.

6.4 stars.

This film has a lot of potential, but it's too frustrating for me to give it a high score. The lead female starts a web of lies that cannot be untangled. It's not a new plot, but it is tricky.

Sometimes a movie with an intricate network of half-truths and charades can be entertaining, but this one became more of a train wreck than a well oiled machine.

As the story goes, she is attempting to advance her career, but the lies are only serving to destroy it. There are too many odd interactions between her and the ex-boyfriend as well as the new boyfriend. The lawyer is somewhat of a strange city boy and the billionaire is also a strange person. None of these personalities seem to fit the characters being portrayed.

The whole movie is out of sorts and doesn't line up. The fact that the new boyfriend pretends to be someone he's not just adds insult to injury and more awkwardness to an already unbalanced story.

I felt uneasy, and wasn't enjoying the experience after a while. This film is in no way convincing and feels like it was thrown together, and the actors had to make do with a broken script.

Not a film I would recommend, but maybe you'll love it. Obviously there are some people out there that like this movie a lot, but I don't know why.

A twist on the popular Hallmark "mistaken identity" trope featuring British actress Poppy Drayton (who is gorgeous) and Chicago Fire alum Steven R. McQueen.

I don't think McQueen and Drayton have ever starred in a Hallmark movie before. Their debut is impressive, their chemistry obvious from the very beginning. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that they're going to end up together - this is, after all, Hallmark, where happy ever afters are are a fait acompli - but it's fun watching them get there.

Beautifully shot in the picturesque Louisiana countryside, with a very good supporting cast including country music legend Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn fame and Mary Margaret-Humes, who I remember first seeing in Dawson's Creek. She is a solid actress and Brooks does a good job, too, even getting a chance to sing a song. Of course.

A Hallmark winner.

A film in which the crumbs from different references are the best thing. Because, without be boring or bad, it is a Hallmark serie product. You know each step. And, sure, you hope be little different by yours expectations. But... . The couple made by Steven R. McQueen and Poppy Drayton is nice but not real convincing. Katrina Norman reminds a sort of Audrey Hepburn. Mary - Margaret Humes does her best and Vernee Watson ,William Shockley are good pillars for a poor story . So, choices, love, pretext for fake twists .

Loretta (Poppy Drayton) is from a small city in Louisiana, where she now works as an event planner for a lovely country hotel. Despite the place being very beautiful, there are not a great many events to plan in the area. In addition, Loretta longs for a chance to see the world and work in a large city, arranging hoity toity affairs. Therefore, in spite of a longtime boyfriend, Wayne (Steven R. McQueen), Lori makes the decision to move to LA and work with well-known planner, Amy. Wayne is miffed and semi-heartbroken. Fast forwarding two years, Loretta has risen the ranks but when her boss stiffs her for a promotion, she is hurt. By chance, an attorney crosses paths with Lori and, pretending to be her boss, Lori takes the requested job to pair the lawyer with his future pa-in-law in a rustic setting. This is because the older man likes the outdoors and won't give his blessing to his daughter marrying a sissy! What place could be better than Lori's town in Louisiana, where there is fishing, hiking, and bird-watching? That's right, Loretta takes the odd pair there. But, of course, Wayne has to pretend her name is Amy and is not very happy his ex is lying, even if its a white lie. Plus, does Loretta have any feelings for Wayne anymore? Does Wayne still have eyes for Loretta? Will the lawyer gain admiration from his grouchy future relative? This is a sweet and saucy romance from, what else, Hallmark company. It's terrific with spectacular scenery, nice scripting, and fine direction. Spring into action, fans, and bring this home.