Love at First Dance

Have seen the two leads, Becca Tobin and Niall Matter (with more familiarity with Matter, with a generally positive opinion with exceptions), individually in other things and both are very likeable when their material is good. Of what has been of the June Weddings films, which has been a sizeable amount now, too many didn't do much for me though there are exceptions. Hallmark's output is wildly variable in all their seasonal blockings in every year, but they have been known to do some watchable things.

Watchable 'Love at First Dance' absolutely is. More than watchable in fact, actually though pretty good as long as not too much is expected. As far as Hallmark's June Weddings output goes, 'Love at First Dance' for me definitely is better than most. As far as their 2018 output from that January to June goes, it's one of the better faring ones too and is a good representation of both leads. Am not going to say that 'Love at First Glance' is a great film because it isn't, but it is a very charmingly sweet film with a very warm heart and without being too sickly sweet.

'Love at First Dance' isn't perfect. Really did not like the character of Adriana, a very one dimensional and annoying character overplayed by Cecilia Deacon.

Also found the final scene rather bland emotionally and too reserved, most Hallmark endings are too neat and sometimes unrealistically so but the final scene suffers from other things which is its blandness. Perhaps a little slow at times.

On the other hand, a lot is good. Personally though Tobin was fine, understated but not overly so and she is charming. Even better is subtly charismatic and easy going Matter as the more animated character. Their chemistry is low key, though a little too subdued towards the end, but natural and genuine. The rest of the supporting cast are fine, and while the characters are not complex and typical Hallmark apart from Adriana they are worth engaging with.

It is a very nice looking film too, one of Hallmark's best looking 2018 films in my view. The scenery really does entrance and the photography doesn't cheapen it at all. The music is lovely and it is one of not many scorings where of Hallmark's 2018 output it wasn't a problem. The music in the dance sequences doesn't disappoint. The dancing is beautifully choreographed and danced with a lot of elegance and understanding of what it is being in the dance world, wish there was more of it though. The dialogue is sharp enough and flows naturally, while also having the right amount of sentiment (not too much in quality and quantity). The story may be predictable and not perfect in pace, but it is incredibly charming, sweet without being too sugary and very heart-warming. There is a nice lightness to it too.

Concluding, not great but liked it a good deal. 7/10.

Niall Matter. He is the key for the feeling to see a little different Hallmark than you expect. Because he has the opportunity to confirm his beautiful skills, remarkable in others films of genre , obvious in this movie, to sustain, in strong and fair manner, romantic story not in sketches of acting but in real, serious sense. The second virtue - the dance and the music and the dance in Central Park and the dialogue between Adriana and Eric about the fall of idea of wedding. So, different Hallmark for the smart nuances of familiar story.

While Becca Tobin never jumps off the screen, there is still chemistry between her and Niall Matter. I haven't paid enough attention to Matter in the past, but I realized he is a solid half of the ... Father Christmas set of movies. And he does a great job in this one. You could see Eric grow in confidence as the story goes on, and underneath it he's falling in love.

Tobin is a steady presence throughout. I couldn't decide if she was a little too reserved, or just right, but you can understand easily how Eric could fall in love with Hope.

The third part of the triangle, Adriana, is no villain and compared to her Hope is downright giddy, but Adriana is supposed to be an unemotional rock.

Supporting characters are adequate if not great

I think the outline of the story could have been written by the viewer as soon as the background was established. These movies don't necessarily need surprises. But that means that one of the things this one had to do right was put the leads together as much as possible, and it did.

I usually don't like musical interludes that are often just there to avoid writing more plot, but in this case it was a nice dance interlude.

I find find this movie to be quite pleasing. Niall Matter is a good actor. I think he is somewhat under used. This movie showed a side of him he you usually don't get to see very often. He is quite talented but rarely gets to show just how versatile he is. Honestly, it was good to see him in a different mode. I used to dance all the time, the scene and music in the ballroom was a real treat. It is my favorite scene in the entire film.

Adriana was a wooden character to say the least. Their dancing in was painful to watch. She is a big woman. It is no wonder their dance scenes were so awkward. On the other hand, the scenes with hope were quite fluid, a pleasure to watch. All in all a satisfying movie.

When I read the title, I expected something more cheesy but this is pretty Gouda!

This movie takes place in an actualcity where city life isn't as demonized. I appreciate that since I live in a big city and it's nice to know there might still be Hallmark magic left here.

The characters feel more like real people, both at a career fork in the road, her finding out whether she should do or teach, him following in his family foot steps or an artistic pursuit. So many people can relate to that.

The dancing is so fun to watch, it's like Dirty Dancing: Hallmark Nights. And the music is from artists I've heard of, shocking I know!

Overall, I'd totally watch this again.