The story line is good and the scenery is great ... The Irish accent of your leading male actor is so far removed from a normal accent .. it is actually hard to listen to ... surely you could have got an Irish actor for your lead role.
34 Reviews
This could have been a special movie but...
MIssM1917 September 2019
Jack Turner and the plot convinced me to watch this movie: two exes reuniting and getting a second chance? That's a yes from me. However... It was kind of disappointing: I don't feel there was any chemistry between the actors. It was kind of slow, and there were no fun moments, nor any major scene/problem between the leads. I don't think it got my full attention at any point during the hour and half. You know what to expect from a Hallmark movie, but this wasn't it.
I appreciate the original plot. The location was beautiful. I didn't hate it, I liked it but I think a few things were missing that could have made this movie special. I'm actually sad that i'm giving this 5 stars. This had so much potential but it just didn't work for me.
I appreciate the original plot. The location was beautiful. I didn't hate it, I liked it but I think a few things were missing that could have made this movie special. I'm actually sad that i'm giving this 5 stars. This had so much potential but it just didn't work for me.
One of the better Hallmance movies but a few details are flawed.
cincy-4798316 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I do really enjoy it when Hallmark actually gets out of Canada and goes on location to film such as this one which actually appears to have been filmed in Ireland.
This movie is nice, relaxing fare with no major highs or lows. It could have benefited by picking up the pace a bit. The relationships are good and plausible.
The real star is the location and scenery. Without this, the movie would have been mediocre. The stars are okay and do well by what they are given by the producers.
Worth watching once... but just once.
SPOILER:
This movie is nice, relaxing fare with no major highs or lows. It could have benefited by picking up the pace a bit. The relationships are good and plausible.
The real star is the location and scenery. Without this, the movie would have been mediocre. The stars are okay and do well by what they are given by the producers.
Worth watching once... but just once.
SPOILER:
- The Hallmark people often do a horrible job of paying attention to detail and reality. In this movie the hotel/inn is in trouble and actually nothing is said or done at the end about what they are doing to fix their problems. Yes, the relationships wrap up nicely but we don't know if the hotel will survive or not. AND.. did the lead female quit the other job to come over to this hotel or what??? HALLMARK.... please, please, please try to do a bit of reality checking in your movies.
Has there ever been a Hallmark movie without a festival of some kind?
rebekahrox19 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
In some ways I liked how this movie avoided all of the oft-used to death stupid conflicts and misunderstandings that the prospective lovebirds have to get past. The heroines current boyfriend wasn't a super smooth too handsome bad guy with evil intentions. The one time he overstepped the line by giving her unwanted and bad advice, he apologized the next morning and complimented her judgement over his. He was actually kind of goofy looking. In a good way. The hero and heroine were not separated in their youth because of a big bitter misunderstanding or lack of communication. They just decided to chase their own career paths. Near the end, she admits that it probably wouldn't have worked if he had followed through with his marriage proposal. That they each had to take their own path first.
Unfortunately, this also made this movie a little uneventful. There was some lazy writing. For example, the older woman that Jenna meets turns out to be the long lost first love of hero's father. Yet when she first meets his son, she comments that he reminds her of an old friend. Yet she doesn't seem to make the connection or quiz him, or seek out the love of her life who is still running the same hotel and hasn't moved a muscle? Why did they never see each other until the very end? Very anticlimactically, I might add.
Oh well, I give it a seven, because the scenery was great, and my eye rolls were kept to a minimum. Just don't scrutinize it too closely and take your breaks during the musical numbers. No need to put on pause. Lastly, a big shout out to the hairdresser who styled the current day Merritt Paterson's sleek sophisticated hair do. It really set the mature Jenna apart from the young Jenna.
Unfortunately, this also made this movie a little uneventful. There was some lazy writing. For example, the older woman that Jenna meets turns out to be the long lost first love of hero's father. Yet when she first meets his son, she comments that he reminds her of an old friend. Yet she doesn't seem to make the connection or quiz him, or seek out the love of her life who is still running the same hotel and hasn't moved a muscle? Why did they never see each other until the very end? Very anticlimactically, I might add.
Oh well, I give it a seven, because the scenery was great, and my eye rolls were kept to a minimum. Just don't scrutinize it too closely and take your breaks during the musical numbers. No need to put on pause. Lastly, a big shout out to the hairdresser who styled the current day Merritt Paterson's sleek sophisticated hair do. It really set the mature Jenna apart from the young Jenna.
Nice setting and plot but not another flour fight!
SunnyDaise3 June 2021
I like that this movie starts in Ireland, rather than being a fish-out-of-water movie and has two generations. Whilst I'm really bored of flour fights etc, and the time of year is confusing, this film would merit and facilitate sequels.
bad accent but beautiful scenery
novagirl1110 May 2020
I found Jack Turner's (Charlie's) accent forced and hard to understand. I liked watching Roisin O'Donovan (Katherine) though. It seems they could have done a little better job making the actors look like they actually aged 5 years. Of course, the scenery in Ireland was beautiful and a nice change from the typical generic Canadian settings.
Bad accents
denisemccain11 August 2020
Fun, gentle and enjoyable film about love that endures
skpn12324 September 2019
This is a lovely film with great chemistry between the actors and a competent cast across the board. Does not follow the formulaic romantic movie plot which was refreshing.
I have taken off one point as the Irish accent of the lead was a little less than and maybe a tiny bit slow at the beginning but overall was a special and enjoyable watch..
I have taken off one point as the Irish accent of the lead was a little less than and maybe a tiny bit slow at the beginning but overall was a special and enjoyable watch..
Enjoyed the movie but...
whazzupskippy25 April 2021
Family, friendship, career and then romance are not the best order to choose life's path
Ed-Shullivan7 April 2020
Yes, it is another simple Hallmark made for TV romance themed film but Mrs. Shullivan and I are hunkering down during the Corona Virus 19 pandemic and we are a bit choosy about what we want to watch on TV. It was no surprise that we both enjoyed this simple little film as our own first trip together was to the beautiful country side of Ireland where the pubs are many and the food hearty and bountiful such as it was in this romantic themed made for TV film.
The two lead actors Merritt Patterson and Jack Turner certainly had feelings for each other but as in all realistic scenarios they had their own careers to follow and so they fell out of touch with one another through the subsequent years. We as all humans have a memory bank of both the good times and bad times we have experienced with some of our memories harder to forget than others. Such is the case with these two star crossed lovers Jenna Slade and Charlie O'Hanlon.
As life and time goes by, (and time stands still for no man nor woman), Jenna and Charlie have moved on, or so they thought until five years later they find themselves in the boutique hotel that Charlie's father owns and runs. Economics have not been good to the hotel or to the O'Hanlon's who have fallen on some recent hard times and Jenna takes it upon herself to help Charlie's father bring new life back into the hotel and maybe, just maybe rekindle some of the old feelings that Jenna and Charlie once shared in good times past.
As I am from Irish heritage I have a soft spot for any film surrounding the countryside of Ireland, and although actor Jack Turner's Irish accent left a lot to be desired the story is a favorable one, the romance rekindled and a happy ending in these troubled times (COVID 19) are always a blessing we all need.
I give this particular Hallmark made for TV romance a strong Irish blessing score of 8 out of 10.
The two lead actors Merritt Patterson and Jack Turner certainly had feelings for each other but as in all realistic scenarios they had their own careers to follow and so they fell out of touch with one another through the subsequent years. We as all humans have a memory bank of both the good times and bad times we have experienced with some of our memories harder to forget than others. Such is the case with these two star crossed lovers Jenna Slade and Charlie O'Hanlon.
As life and time goes by, (and time stands still for no man nor woman), Jenna and Charlie have moved on, or so they thought until five years later they find themselves in the boutique hotel that Charlie's father owns and runs. Economics have not been good to the hotel or to the O'Hanlon's who have fallen on some recent hard times and Jenna takes it upon herself to help Charlie's father bring new life back into the hotel and maybe, just maybe rekindle some of the old feelings that Jenna and Charlie once shared in good times past.
As I am from Irish heritage I have a soft spot for any film surrounding the countryside of Ireland, and although actor Jack Turner's Irish accent left a lot to be desired the story is a favorable one, the romance rekindled and a happy ending in these troubled times (COVID 19) are always a blessing we all need.
I give this particular Hallmark made for TV romance a strong Irish blessing score of 8 out of 10.
Just (barely) OK
Jackbv12321 September 2019
Yes the scenery was the star and not just the breathtaking kind like the cliffs, but every day Irish scenery too. My wife's biggest memory of Ireland is those skinny roads and yes we saw some of them in thia movie.
The story lacked something even beyond not tying up lose ends. It seemed disjointed. There were no big highs nor any big lows. Of the two or maybe three major conflicts, one didn't get resolved, one ended very quietly and the third was the lead up to the obvious ending. In broad strokes, this movie was predictable which is almost automatic with a Hallmark romance. However, getting there didn't rely completely on overused tropes and cliches. The save-the-family-business trope gets old, but this had a slightly different approach to it. Also, the story seemed to ramble a bit. I think I can see how the inn's problems were supposed to have been solved, but the movie jumbled it up some and didn't explicitly explain it.
When the biggest problem seemed to be too little staff and not enough time, they sure had time to hike and bike and do other things. Charlie's big plan at the end doubles down on this and really didn't make a lot of sense either.
Merritt Patterson is one of what the Hallmark networks need - new and especially younger stars. I love a bunch of the veterans, but so many of them are over 40 and that's not really a good start-a-family age which is the kind of story you want to see at least a good percentage of the time. Patterson and Turner are decent actors for this brand, but not really knock-your-socks-off people. Patterson has beautiful eyes and her closeups are striking. In this movie, I didn't see the chemistry between the leads. And the guys' singing sounded off. Accents? They sounded off too, but at least for Turner it wasn't heavy.
The story lacked something even beyond not tying up lose ends. It seemed disjointed. There were no big highs nor any big lows. Of the two or maybe three major conflicts, one didn't get resolved, one ended very quietly and the third was the lead up to the obvious ending. In broad strokes, this movie was predictable which is almost automatic with a Hallmark romance. However, getting there didn't rely completely on overused tropes and cliches. The save-the-family-business trope gets old, but this had a slightly different approach to it. Also, the story seemed to ramble a bit. I think I can see how the inn's problems were supposed to have been solved, but the movie jumbled it up some and didn't explicitly explain it.
When the biggest problem seemed to be too little staff and not enough time, they sure had time to hike and bike and do other things. Charlie's big plan at the end doubles down on this and really didn't make a lot of sense either.
Merritt Patterson is one of what the Hallmark networks need - new and especially younger stars. I love a bunch of the veterans, but so many of them are over 40 and that's not really a good start-a-family age which is the kind of story you want to see at least a good percentage of the time. Patterson and Turner are decent actors for this brand, but not really knock-your-socks-off people. Patterson has beautiful eyes and her closeups are striking. In this movie, I didn't see the chemistry between the leads. And the guys' singing sounded off. Accents? They sounded off too, but at least for Turner it wasn't heavy.
Bad accent and boring story
phd_travel19 September 2019
Pretty scenery and pretty lead stars can't save this grating movie. Will exes reunite before one of them is about to marry? It is set in Ireland. The lead actor has a bad Irish accent that sounds like just whispering everything quickly.
It's predictable because her new fiancé is not as good looking. So obvious.
Timing and Trains
crowley-1629 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I liked the movie, even though the plot was slow, but I was a bit surprised that the editors missed these 2 logistic/timing flaws:
1. In the beginning of the film, the lead (Jenna) got a phone call to confirm her job offer, and her phone said it was 2017. Later, when she's supposed to return to Ireland, the screen says it's 5 years later, so 2022?
2. When Jenna comes back to Ireland, right before she meets Molly, they show a train in a white tunnel - it's a French train (the RATP), not an Irish one. I'm assuming Jenna flew directly to Dublin and didn't stop in Paris on her way there!
I agree with another poster - make fewer movies and pay more attention to the plots and editing. Scenery was beautiful, but not a great plot, so a missed opportunity.
1. In the beginning of the film, the lead (Jenna) got a phone call to confirm her job offer, and her phone said it was 2017. Later, when she's supposed to return to Ireland, the screen says it's 5 years later, so 2022?
2. When Jenna comes back to Ireland, right before she meets Molly, they show a train in a white tunnel - it's a French train (the RATP), not an Irish one. I'm assuming Jenna flew directly to Dublin and didn't stop in Paris on her way there!
I agree with another poster - make fewer movies and pay more attention to the plots and editing. Scenery was beautiful, but not a great plot, so a missed opportunity.
Hallmark does Ireland
allmoviesfan4 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Another successful on-location shoot for Hallmark. Merritt Patterson is an absolute star. It's a shame she has since seemingly departed the network in favour of GAC Family, because everything she did for Hallmark was brilliant.
Beautiful scenery and an old, family-run inn in Dalkey, Ireland (actually an affluent coastal suburb of Dublin, according to Google) are the very effective backdrops for a second chance romance between Patterson's Jenna and Jack Turner's Charlie.
'Forever in My Heart' moves along at a pleasant pace, with Jenna returning to Ireland on business five years after leaving O'Hanlon's inn. She is, of course, reunited with her old boyfriend and sparks begin to fly between the two, as they work together at the inn, and try to figure out it's future.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Hallmark movie without Jenna's current fiancé turning up, fresh from one of his many overseas trips. If you've seen even one Hallmark, you know how it's all going to shake out... (Not a criticism, just a fact).
Patterson is radiant, Turner does a good job and ditto the supporting cast. All in all, it's one of Hallmark's better productions.
Beautiful scenery and an old, family-run inn in Dalkey, Ireland (actually an affluent coastal suburb of Dublin, according to Google) are the very effective backdrops for a second chance romance between Patterson's Jenna and Jack Turner's Charlie.
'Forever in My Heart' moves along at a pleasant pace, with Jenna returning to Ireland on business five years after leaving O'Hanlon's inn. She is, of course, reunited with her old boyfriend and sparks begin to fly between the two, as they work together at the inn, and try to figure out it's future.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Hallmark movie without Jenna's current fiancé turning up, fresh from one of his many overseas trips. If you've seen even one Hallmark, you know how it's all going to shake out... (Not a criticism, just a fact).
Patterson is radiant, Turner does a good job and ditto the supporting cast. All in all, it's one of Hallmark's better productions.
Cheap imitation Hallmark
MickyG33321 March 2023
6.7 stars.
"Forever in My Heart" is like a counterfeit film that feels like Hallmark, is in fact Hallmark, but more of a budget version. Take the plot for example: it's so mundane it checks all the right boxes, and yet I feel like I'm shopping at a movie thrift store to purchase a Hallmark knock off. This is a clone of a clone and the lowest form of a Hallmark forgery. Don't get me wrong, the scenery and backdrop are breathtaking. The Ireland landscape is so fresh and awe inspiring, but you can't put all your eggs in the Ireland countryside basket and expect that alone to produce phenomenal results.
First, we have an Englishman portraying an Irishman, and although he does the accent well to my American hearing, his character as a whole is lacking depth and likability. He's a good looking musician (which Jack Turner is in real life), but where is the personality excitement? Merritt Patterson's character is equally shallow and hard to read. She puts little effort into making Jenna a passionate and familiar person. I am unable to fall in love with the character, and all that remains is the obligatory emotionless and pasted half-smile that defines Merritt Patterson.
As the story goes, Jenna leaves Charlie behind in Ireland to pursue her dream job in the States, but there's no indication of a girlfriend/boyfriend bond. They seem more like good friends maybe, certainly not best friends. There is a lot missing in the development of any relationship. 5 years later when Jenna returns to Ireland and reunites with her friends, there is a total lack of expression and spark between any of them. Jenna now has a boyfriend in the States, but oh what a dull fellow, and there is zero chemistry between them.
There is a tiny side story of an elderly woman and some recognition between her and one of the supporting males, but this whole plot is downplayed to the point that it is better being absent altogether. Why even add it to the story if only to denigrate it further? Another side story is when Charlie surprises Jenna with a tour of her past, but there is no enthusiasm from either of them. We witness some family history which is lessened to the point of irrelevance, another small plot of an emerald ring, revealed early on for a brief moment. Where is the elation or shock when family history is revealed, or the emerald is revisited years later?
"Forever in My Heart" falls incredibly short in every aspect, especially entertainment value, and the whole production is devalued, because how difficult can it be for these two leads to make a film come to life?
I would have rated this around 6.0 stars, but there is a special something about the energy of the Irish, their culture, the music, and ambience that is very inviting; and Miss Patterson is a very lovely woman in spite of this particular performance.
"Forever in My Heart" is like a counterfeit film that feels like Hallmark, is in fact Hallmark, but more of a budget version. Take the plot for example: it's so mundane it checks all the right boxes, and yet I feel like I'm shopping at a movie thrift store to purchase a Hallmark knock off. This is a clone of a clone and the lowest form of a Hallmark forgery. Don't get me wrong, the scenery and backdrop are breathtaking. The Ireland landscape is so fresh and awe inspiring, but you can't put all your eggs in the Ireland countryside basket and expect that alone to produce phenomenal results.
First, we have an Englishman portraying an Irishman, and although he does the accent well to my American hearing, his character as a whole is lacking depth and likability. He's a good looking musician (which Jack Turner is in real life), but where is the personality excitement? Merritt Patterson's character is equally shallow and hard to read. She puts little effort into making Jenna a passionate and familiar person. I am unable to fall in love with the character, and all that remains is the obligatory emotionless and pasted half-smile that defines Merritt Patterson.
As the story goes, Jenna leaves Charlie behind in Ireland to pursue her dream job in the States, but there's no indication of a girlfriend/boyfriend bond. They seem more like good friends maybe, certainly not best friends. There is a lot missing in the development of any relationship. 5 years later when Jenna returns to Ireland and reunites with her friends, there is a total lack of expression and spark between any of them. Jenna now has a boyfriend in the States, but oh what a dull fellow, and there is zero chemistry between them.
There is a tiny side story of an elderly woman and some recognition between her and one of the supporting males, but this whole plot is downplayed to the point that it is better being absent altogether. Why even add it to the story if only to denigrate it further? Another side story is when Charlie surprises Jenna with a tour of her past, but there is no enthusiasm from either of them. We witness some family history which is lessened to the point of irrelevance, another small plot of an emerald ring, revealed early on for a brief moment. Where is the elation or shock when family history is revealed, or the emerald is revisited years later?
"Forever in My Heart" falls incredibly short in every aspect, especially entertainment value, and the whole production is devalued, because how difficult can it be for these two leads to make a film come to life?
I would have rated this around 6.0 stars, but there is a special something about the energy of the Irish, their culture, the music, and ambience that is very inviting; and Miss Patterson is a very lovely woman in spite of this particular performance.
Finding love in the Emerald Isle
TheLittleSongbird28 December 2021
Hallmark did make some good films in 2019 in all their seasonal blocks, though it was another hit and miss year for them. Merritt Patterson and Jack Turner have done good work elsewhere. Ireland is an exquisite place with scenery to die for. The idea was quite nice if not innovative and had potential for a cute, charming film if done right. The mixed reviews though did dampen my expectations a bit, especially considering that the more negative reviews were from trusted users.
'Forever in My Heart' was watched with as open a mind as possible with all of this in mind. Even when taking it for what it was and what it was trying to do, so not expecting Oscar-worthy material, the film didn't do it for me. It is not a waste of time and there are good things, but 'Forever in My Heart' just didn't click on the whole. Ireland, Patterson and Turner deserved better, while two of them don't come off badly at all one disappoints a lot.
Am going to start with the good. The best thing about 'Forever in My Heart' is Ireland itself, the scenery is absolutely gorgeous and the photography really enhances its beauty. Would go as far to say that this is one of the better looking 2019 Hallmark films, and it is a shame that the film overall does not match that. The music suits the tone and doesn't come over as over-emphasised or used too much.
Patterson is charming and provides the one source of spark from the cast, as a character that isn't too perfect or overly flawed. Actually found her character, while typical, quite rootable in her quest. The supporting cast do very well despite being in underwritten roles.
Turner on the other hand didn't work for me, and this is being said with a heavy heart as somebody who usually likes him. His performance consists of mumbling and not much else and his character is not easy to warm to. While this reviewer really tries to not be nit-picky it is agreed that the accents are distractingly bad (especially Turner's). Really do not try to not criticise accents, but it is hard to when Irish accents are stereotyped so often and most of the time badly and borderline distastefully which was the case here. Patterson and Turner don't have any chemistry together, too distant and too cautious, and the relationship never really grows.
What also didn't work were the story and pacing. The story is very draggy and too thin, not going very far for some of the length. Also found it very predictable and some of the situations not always logical and tepidly resolved or anti-climactic. The direction plods and the script can sound awkward, too schmaltzy and quite drab. Tension is almost completely lacking and the romance just doesn't register, while the film takes itself too seriously. The warmth and charm just isn't there. Only Patterson's character is interesting of the characters, the others are underwritten.
Concluding, rather lacklustre. 4/10.
'Forever in My Heart' was watched with as open a mind as possible with all of this in mind. Even when taking it for what it was and what it was trying to do, so not expecting Oscar-worthy material, the film didn't do it for me. It is not a waste of time and there are good things, but 'Forever in My Heart' just didn't click on the whole. Ireland, Patterson and Turner deserved better, while two of them don't come off badly at all one disappoints a lot.
Am going to start with the good. The best thing about 'Forever in My Heart' is Ireland itself, the scenery is absolutely gorgeous and the photography really enhances its beauty. Would go as far to say that this is one of the better looking 2019 Hallmark films, and it is a shame that the film overall does not match that. The music suits the tone and doesn't come over as over-emphasised or used too much.
Patterson is charming and provides the one source of spark from the cast, as a character that isn't too perfect or overly flawed. Actually found her character, while typical, quite rootable in her quest. The supporting cast do very well despite being in underwritten roles.
Turner on the other hand didn't work for me, and this is being said with a heavy heart as somebody who usually likes him. His performance consists of mumbling and not much else and his character is not easy to warm to. While this reviewer really tries to not be nit-picky it is agreed that the accents are distractingly bad (especially Turner's). Really do not try to not criticise accents, but it is hard to when Irish accents are stereotyped so often and most of the time badly and borderline distastefully which was the case here. Patterson and Turner don't have any chemistry together, too distant and too cautious, and the relationship never really grows.
What also didn't work were the story and pacing. The story is very draggy and too thin, not going very far for some of the length. Also found it very predictable and some of the situations not always logical and tepidly resolved or anti-climactic. The direction plods and the script can sound awkward, too schmaltzy and quite drab. Tension is almost completely lacking and the romance just doesn't register, while the film takes itself too seriously. The warmth and charm just isn't there. Only Patterson's character is interesting of the characters, the others are underwritten.
Concluding, rather lacklustre. 4/10.
Beautiful movie!
lisagriffithwvmom16 September 2020
Underdeveloped romance
herrcarter-921612 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This was a nice Hallmark romance movie and I wanted to like it. Unfortunately, it was underdeveloped in many aspects. Hallmark has become a virtual movie factory, and sadly, their resources have become spread too thin to really pay attention to the important details.
The most enjoyable thing about this movie was, of course, the beautiful Irish scenery. You have to give kudos to Hallmark for breaking out of their typical Canadian shooting locations for once. The other big plus was Merritt Patterson as our heroine Jenna. She's one of the better of the crop of younger Hallmark actresses. She's beautiful, expressive and likable. That toothy smile is worth its weight in gold, though, in this movie, I must admit it was used a bit too often. She's got cute and smiley down pat, but she didn't portray a very broad range of emotions beyond that. I think the script was largely to blame for that.
Jack Turner as male lead Charlie was fine. Other reviewers panned his bad Irish accent. I didn't notice, though I'm not Irish. Why Hallmark couldn't have hired a competent Irish actor, though, is beyond me. They certainly have no problem rounding up Canadian actors when they film in Canada. He did what he had to do for the role, though not much more. The supporting actors did well. They all seemed believable and relatable.
The dialog in this movie wasn't bad. It was actually fairly natural. You felt like you were watching real people interacting with each other. Maybe it was a little too close to real life, because it so often tended more toward boring than engaging. The script needed more passion, particularly in regards to the romance between Jenna and Charlie. I always felt like they were more just good friends than lovers, even at the beginning, when they were actually dating and he was planning to propose to her. There was no sense of sadness and longing as they were looking at going their separate ways and pursuing -- what? -- a long distance relationship? Five years later, their interactions were not those of passionate lovers who secretly longed for a second chance. You had a little awkwardness, followed by more comfortable friendship, but, again, not much passion. There weren't even any heartfelt confessions of emotion between the two of them, even at the end, where Charlie proposed to her again. This is supposed to be a romance, but the romance was half-baked at best, and the requisite chemistry was severely lacking.
There are details of the plot that are left undeveloped and unresolved. For example, the whole plotline about the Inn facing financial ruin. The reasons for their financial troubles were never explained. The offer of Jenna's fiancee Dave to buy out the inn was never pursued. The ultimate fate of the inn was left unresolved. It's implied that the inn will be okay, but how? Because Jenna decides to move back to Ireland and work there? Because she's such a great handyman (er, handywoman) that she could singlehandedly tackle their severe maintenance issues?
I also felt like the romance between inn owner Patrick and his long-lost love Molly was handled badly. First off, it wasn't really a the surprise it was supposed to be. We could see it coming from a mile away. Second, why did it take so long for her to find him again, seeing that she had come to the small town specifically to find him, and he was at the inn where she was staying (and had been his whole life)? Why did she not ask around for him? And their eventual reunion was very anticlimactic. The plot of the movie was already stretched thin with what can only be described as filler. Why not give the older couple a few more minutes of screen time to develop their rekindled relationship?
I'm not a fan of romance movies where one or both of the leads are already engaged or in a relationship with someone else. To be fair, though, in this case, the "wrong" guy Dave was not portrayed as the cartoonishly bad significant other that you often see. He seemed like a decent enough guy, if a bit of a workaholic. I did find it rather unfair that they cast a guy for the role who was so obviously not as good-looking as the "right" guy Charlie. I was happy that Jenna got rid of Dave before the end of the movie, so there was no cringy cheating going on with Charlie.
On the whole, this was a sweet, feel-good movie whose heart was in the right place. But the details that would have turned it from a nice, innocuous and forgettable movie to a truly engaging and memorable one were sadly lacking. Wish I could give it a higher recommendation, but I can't.
The most enjoyable thing about this movie was, of course, the beautiful Irish scenery. You have to give kudos to Hallmark for breaking out of their typical Canadian shooting locations for once. The other big plus was Merritt Patterson as our heroine Jenna. She's one of the better of the crop of younger Hallmark actresses. She's beautiful, expressive and likable. That toothy smile is worth its weight in gold, though, in this movie, I must admit it was used a bit too often. She's got cute and smiley down pat, but she didn't portray a very broad range of emotions beyond that. I think the script was largely to blame for that.
Jack Turner as male lead Charlie was fine. Other reviewers panned his bad Irish accent. I didn't notice, though I'm not Irish. Why Hallmark couldn't have hired a competent Irish actor, though, is beyond me. They certainly have no problem rounding up Canadian actors when they film in Canada. He did what he had to do for the role, though not much more. The supporting actors did well. They all seemed believable and relatable.
The dialog in this movie wasn't bad. It was actually fairly natural. You felt like you were watching real people interacting with each other. Maybe it was a little too close to real life, because it so often tended more toward boring than engaging. The script needed more passion, particularly in regards to the romance between Jenna and Charlie. I always felt like they were more just good friends than lovers, even at the beginning, when they were actually dating and he was planning to propose to her. There was no sense of sadness and longing as they were looking at going their separate ways and pursuing -- what? -- a long distance relationship? Five years later, their interactions were not those of passionate lovers who secretly longed for a second chance. You had a little awkwardness, followed by more comfortable friendship, but, again, not much passion. There weren't even any heartfelt confessions of emotion between the two of them, even at the end, where Charlie proposed to her again. This is supposed to be a romance, but the romance was half-baked at best, and the requisite chemistry was severely lacking.
There are details of the plot that are left undeveloped and unresolved. For example, the whole plotline about the Inn facing financial ruin. The reasons for their financial troubles were never explained. The offer of Jenna's fiancee Dave to buy out the inn was never pursued. The ultimate fate of the inn was left unresolved. It's implied that the inn will be okay, but how? Because Jenna decides to move back to Ireland and work there? Because she's such a great handyman (er, handywoman) that she could singlehandedly tackle their severe maintenance issues?
I also felt like the romance between inn owner Patrick and his long-lost love Molly was handled badly. First off, it wasn't really a the surprise it was supposed to be. We could see it coming from a mile away. Second, why did it take so long for her to find him again, seeing that she had come to the small town specifically to find him, and he was at the inn where she was staying (and had been his whole life)? Why did she not ask around for him? And their eventual reunion was very anticlimactic. The plot of the movie was already stretched thin with what can only be described as filler. Why not give the older couple a few more minutes of screen time to develop their rekindled relationship?
I'm not a fan of romance movies where one or both of the leads are already engaged or in a relationship with someone else. To be fair, though, in this case, the "wrong" guy Dave was not portrayed as the cartoonishly bad significant other that you often see. He seemed like a decent enough guy, if a bit of a workaholic. I did find it rather unfair that they cast a guy for the role who was so obviously not as good-looking as the "right" guy Charlie. I was happy that Jenna got rid of Dave before the end of the movie, so there was no cringy cheating going on with Charlie.
On the whole, this was a sweet, feel-good movie whose heart was in the right place. But the details that would have turned it from a nice, innocuous and forgettable movie to a truly engaging and memorable one were sadly lacking. Wish I could give it a higher recommendation, but I can't.
OK movie
toncincin17 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
But I have to agree with other reviewers ... nothing is tied up! So -
1) The inn is suddenly going to survive because Jenna returns to her love? If only financial woes were that simple! 2) The train back to Dalkey was canceled AND YET - Jenna gets back. How? Did she fly in on her broomstick? Did she tweak her? Did she wish herself there! Nothing is ever explained. She just shows up. HMMMM 3) Jack Turner - stop it with the accents! Stop singing! Not believable. BTW - stick with Taylor Cole. You both are believable together. 4) Have watched several movies now with Merritt Patterson. Not a fab. 5) Scenery was, indeed, beautiful. But scenery doesn't make a movie.
Hallmark - the quality of your movies continues to go downhill. You are putting too many out and not paying attention in the editing room. I'm usually not one who pays attention to that many details - so when start seeing them - there's obviously a problem.
1) The inn is suddenly going to survive because Jenna returns to her love? If only financial woes were that simple! 2) The train back to Dalkey was canceled AND YET - Jenna gets back. How? Did she fly in on her broomstick? Did she tweak her? Did she wish herself there! Nothing is ever explained. She just shows up. HMMMM 3) Jack Turner - stop it with the accents! Stop singing! Not believable. BTW - stick with Taylor Cole. You both are believable together. 4) Have watched several movies now with Merritt Patterson. Not a fab. 5) Scenery was, indeed, beautiful. But scenery doesn't make a movie.
Hallmark - the quality of your movies continues to go downhill. You are putting too many out and not paying attention in the editing room. I'm usually not one who pays attention to that many details - so when start seeing them - there's obviously a problem.
Enjoyable and heart warming
ciar20619 October 2020
Good chemistry between the leads. I've watched this one on-demand probably 20 times over the last month to get me through some tough nights. I love the beginning and how they jump to 5+ later. I see others "complaining" about the Irish accents, but I"m not an expert there, so I don't even notice. Just a fun and warm story that I can watch as an escape. Enjoy!
Leads had zero chemistry and some very bad Irish accents
jk-692-23639422 September 2019
Scenery alone cannot carry a movie. This movie was DULL as can be. Nothing really happened. There was no tension or romance. The leads all felt like brother and sisters pecking each other on the cheek. The lead actor had a very bad Irish accent, and the rest seems dubious at best. The lead actress is usually someone I like in the Hallmark movies, but she did not have much to work with here. Hallmark needs some better writers and stories.
Accents are brutal
flowerclair2 May 2021
I suppose it depends on your perspective....
dpowelldwp31 July 2020
This is a beautiful movie and a good story. It is very subtle and slow developing though, thus I suspect many people got frustrated with it. IMO not every great love story needs to be quick and easy - I respected the movie for what it was, and that (for me) was that second chances do come but they must be handled carefully. I found the movie 100% believable (contrary to other reviewers) because I have experienced that people change, they grow and sometimes things just come together if you don't self sabotage. Jack Turner was a master of not pushing too hard - and the ever lovely Merritt played the "trying to find herself" role exceedingly well. So, my perspective is bullseye but I understand why others might question the chemistry and relationship fit.
such a dissappointment
ronbokirk16 September 2019
Merritt Patterson and Jack Turner are two of my Hallmark favorites. They are both gifted and extremely talented. I think that is why this motion picture was such a disappointment to me. The first problem was Jack's fake accent (which was not good) and his high speed mumbling of his lines which made most of
his dialog unintelligible.
There was absolutely no spark, no chemistry, and no passion, each of which is necessary for a romance. The plot was only slightly interesting, but the supporting cast held it all together. They were good.
I hope Merritt was wearing a wig for this movie, because I would hate to think some hairdresser had made her hair look so bad. When two talented stars like Merritt and Jack work together it is not unreasonable to expect more. Two stars for location and two for supporting cast.
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