"When Sparks Fly" is a Hallmark Channel romance on Independence Day featuring Meghan Markle. I found the film on a dual layer DVD. The DVD quality left much to be desired as did the film. While I'm unfamiliar with Mrs. Markle's body of work, she seems completely miscast in this film. Her performance is so exaggerated, the viewer gets the impression she was camping it up because she knew the movie was bad. If not that she comes off as a sophisticated person trying to play a down to earth role.
Markle plays Amy Peterson, a journalist for the Chicago Tribune who is at a low point in her life. She isn't happy with her job or boyfriend. He is a big city guy who knows how to eat French food. She orders a hamburger when they are going out. Markle looks uncomfortable delivering the line because it's so cheesy.
Seven years ago, her boyfriend Hank (Christopher Jacot) nearly proposed to her when she informed him she got a job across the country. They live in Washington, although the picture was shot in British Columbia. There are some nice panoramic shots of the natural environment I wish happened more often. There are also some beautiful shots of the farm house where Amy's parents live. The house is presented as a farmhouse with a big porch despite being in the middle of the city. The film has a weird problem in that it is supposed to take place in a small town even though there is too much wealth in the homes and downtown scenes.
The supporting cast is also campy with some exceptions. The main plot is so stupid that everyone must have lacked faith that the film could actually have been good. Amy returns home to attend her best friend's marriage to Hank. The best friend, Sammie, wants to be married on July 4th. She also wants the wedding to be Independence Day themed. Super tacky. Just like having your fiancee's ex girlfriend be your maid of honor. The film knows how cringy this is and even gives us several chances to feel as awkward as all the actors do.
Of course, Markle and Jacot get together. The picture has the audacity to have a proposal occur the day after the original wedding is cancelled. This ruins the movie. I'd be willing to say that the film could be a good candidate for bad movie night if not for the conclusion. It left me feeling that even the screenwriter and director didn't care enough to finish. Highly not recommended.
Markle plays Amy Peterson, a journalist for the Chicago Tribune who is at a low point in her life. She isn't happy with her job or boyfriend. He is a big city guy who knows how to eat French food. She orders a hamburger when they are going out. Markle looks uncomfortable delivering the line because it's so cheesy.
Seven years ago, her boyfriend Hank (Christopher Jacot) nearly proposed to her when she informed him she got a job across the country. They live in Washington, although the picture was shot in British Columbia. There are some nice panoramic shots of the natural environment I wish happened more often. There are also some beautiful shots of the farm house where Amy's parents live. The house is presented as a farmhouse with a big porch despite being in the middle of the city. The film has a weird problem in that it is supposed to take place in a small town even though there is too much wealth in the homes and downtown scenes.
The supporting cast is also campy with some exceptions. The main plot is so stupid that everyone must have lacked faith that the film could actually have been good. Amy returns home to attend her best friend's marriage to Hank. The best friend, Sammie, wants to be married on July 4th. She also wants the wedding to be Independence Day themed. Super tacky. Just like having your fiancee's ex girlfriend be your maid of honor. The film knows how cringy this is and even gives us several chances to feel as awkward as all the actors do.
Of course, Markle and Jacot get together. The picture has the audacity to have a proposal occur the day after the original wedding is cancelled. This ruins the movie. I'd be willing to say that the film could be a good candidate for bad movie night if not for the conclusion. It left me feeling that even the screenwriter and director didn't care enough to finish. Highly not recommended.