I wasn't sure I would like this movie especially with Meghan Markle in a lead role, but it was actually quite enjoyable. It had been rumored to be less successful and enjoyable than her other Hallmark movie "Dater's Handbook" but I preferred this one as there was a lot more 'down to earth' Hallmark warmth and charm about it. The ensemble cast worked really well together, the pacing was good and the story was enjoyable in spite of its glaring plot holes and predictable script. Another enjoyable version of a tried-and-true Hallmark premise.
Putting aside the initial implausibility of Amy (Meghan Markle) not having kept up with her family, friends and old boyfriend during her 7 years in Chicago enough to know that her best friend, who she apparently skypes regularly, is dating and about to marry her old boyfriend, Hank, the rest of the story is predictable but sweet.
She comes back home to write an article for her newspaper and also, as it suddenly turns out, to be Maid of Honor for her best friend Sammie's upcoming wedding to her old flame Hank.
Thinking she's well over him, she takes on the task of planning the wedding without concern.
She's dating a jet setting older businessman but apparently has never known that Hank had planned to ask her to marry him before she left town all those years ago. We aren't given any explanation why their relationship broke up even though she was only a 5hr flight away. Hank is very unassuming so I found it believable that he could be with either Amy or Sammie. There's a tenderness about him and the rekindling of their romance is well-played. It creeps up on the audience as much as it does on the pair of them which is great because it is so predictable it wouldn't work otherwise.
Here again, you have to ignore the fact that Phil and Amy aren't suited to each other but they manage to make an acceptable couple. Unlike the couplings in many other versions of this theme and the total lack of chemistry between Meghan and her two beaus in "Dater's Handbook". There is a very similar scene in both movies where Meghan is ignorant and uncomfortable at the table of a posh restaurant where her boyfriend orders her cordon bleu meal for her. But it's somehow softer here even though her "hamburger" comment is a bit too much. The same scenario is just cringeworthy in "Dater's Handbook".
Just as well she finds she still has feelings for Hank and it's mutual because Phil immediately takes an obvious interest in Sammie. It should be seen as rather rude and thoughtless of him since he's Amy's boyfriend and Sammie is the bride-to-be but it works here because we don't want to hate Amy and Hank for what's happening to them. Phil is so smitten he hangs around town to enjoy the 4th of July party and get to know Sammie better. Nice and tidy conciliation for losing your fiancée and having your wedding cancelled at the last moment. All's well that end's well.
It's probably the best acting I've seen from Ms Markle and the scenes with her darling parents are warm and enjoyable. I feel the movie was well cast, well acted and well directed.
Putting aside the initial implausibility of Amy (Meghan Markle) not having kept up with her family, friends and old boyfriend during her 7 years in Chicago enough to know that her best friend, who she apparently skypes regularly, is dating and about to marry her old boyfriend, Hank, the rest of the story is predictable but sweet.
She comes back home to write an article for her newspaper and also, as it suddenly turns out, to be Maid of Honor for her best friend Sammie's upcoming wedding to her old flame Hank.
Thinking she's well over him, she takes on the task of planning the wedding without concern.
She's dating a jet setting older businessman but apparently has never known that Hank had planned to ask her to marry him before she left town all those years ago. We aren't given any explanation why their relationship broke up even though she was only a 5hr flight away. Hank is very unassuming so I found it believable that he could be with either Amy or Sammie. There's a tenderness about him and the rekindling of their romance is well-played. It creeps up on the audience as much as it does on the pair of them which is great because it is so predictable it wouldn't work otherwise.
Here again, you have to ignore the fact that Phil and Amy aren't suited to each other but they manage to make an acceptable couple. Unlike the couplings in many other versions of this theme and the total lack of chemistry between Meghan and her two beaus in "Dater's Handbook". There is a very similar scene in both movies where Meghan is ignorant and uncomfortable at the table of a posh restaurant where her boyfriend orders her cordon bleu meal for her. But it's somehow softer here even though her "hamburger" comment is a bit too much. The same scenario is just cringeworthy in "Dater's Handbook".
Just as well she finds she still has feelings for Hank and it's mutual because Phil immediately takes an obvious interest in Sammie. It should be seen as rather rude and thoughtless of him since he's Amy's boyfriend and Sammie is the bride-to-be but it works here because we don't want to hate Amy and Hank for what's happening to them. Phil is so smitten he hangs around town to enjoy the 4th of July party and get to know Sammie better. Nice and tidy conciliation for losing your fiancée and having your wedding cancelled at the last moment. All's well that end's well.
It's probably the best acting I've seen from Ms Markle and the scenes with her darling parents are warm and enjoyable. I feel the movie was well cast, well acted and well directed.