As attractive and welcome the fresh faces of the two leads were, this one did not impress. I loved the authentic setting in Ireland as well, but the plot was totally forced. The whole premise was based on a hotel chain wanting to tear down a historic and beautiful castle in order to replace it with a glass, steel, and concrete monstrosity. That is totally bizarre. What traveler to rural Ireland would prefer such an accommodation over a beautiful castle? Not one sane one with any sense or taste. Why would they be visiting Ireland in the first place if not to soak in it's atmosphere, beauty, and history? If you want modern, stay in Dublin. And to think that any representative of the Hotel could lobby for such a notion and still be considered a sympathetic heroine does not fly. Nope. This one did not pass the smell test. If they wanted to copy Leap Year with Amy Adams and Matthew Goode, they should have gone all the way and copied the story line as well.
33 Reviews
Leap Year charm, but Hallmark style!
MIssM1918 April 2021
Lindsay's job requires her to go to Ireland and convince the council from a small city to sell a land that has a beautiful castle. Not being succesful, she decides to stay in Kilabbey to experience the local culture. But she is not alone, of course, Brennan is there to join her every step of the way.
I liked this movie. It was kind of different. The storyline is not unheard of but the fact that this takes place in Ireland makes it 100% more interesting. It really was charming. It kind of reminds me of Leap Year (I think they may have used the same outdoor image of the pub that is in the movie) So, if you liked that, you will like this, just remember, this is Hallmark!
There were several things I liked about this: I like that there is not secret kept from the leads. Brennan knew from the first moment what Lindsay's intentions were. No "I fell in love with you and you've kept this secret from me for the whole duration of the movie". So that generated tension between the leads (love it!). That tension slowly fade as they share time together. They work together towards the same goal and live happily ever after. Or do they?
Of course they do, this is Hallmark. But I liked that they changed JUST A BIT the ending. Flashforwards and time jumps are always welcome.
I generally enjoyed both actors. I would definitely watch JoAnna Garcia Swisher as a lead in more movies. I only have two complains: Firstly, the chemistry. While we saw the characters making heart at each other, and it was believable,, it wasn't explosive chemistry (By explosive I mean, Kavan Smith-Pascale Hutton level) Just okay. On the other hand: the music. I may have a good English level but listening to the Irish dialect with loud music was challenging. (But that's my problem)
I liked this movie. It was kind of different. The storyline is not unheard of but the fact that this takes place in Ireland makes it 100% more interesting. It really was charming. It kind of reminds me of Leap Year (I think they may have used the same outdoor image of the pub that is in the movie) So, if you liked that, you will like this, just remember, this is Hallmark!
There were several things I liked about this: I like that there is not secret kept from the leads. Brennan knew from the first moment what Lindsay's intentions were. No "I fell in love with you and you've kept this secret from me for the whole duration of the movie". So that generated tension between the leads (love it!). That tension slowly fade as they share time together. They work together towards the same goal and live happily ever after. Or do they?
Of course they do, this is Hallmark. But I liked that they changed JUST A BIT the ending. Flashforwards and time jumps are always welcome.
I generally enjoyed both actors. I would definitely watch JoAnna Garcia Swisher as a lead in more movies. I only have two complains: Firstly, the chemistry. While we saw the characters making heart at each other, and it was believable,, it wasn't explosive chemistry (By explosive I mean, Kavan Smith-Pascale Hutton level) Just okay. On the other hand: the music. I may have a good English level but listening to the Irish dialect with loud music was challenging. (But that's my problem)
These two were too adorable for words!
cgvsluis5 May 2021
I confess that I may be biased because I have enjoyed everything I have seen JoAnna Garcia Swisher do (and this isn't the first time I have seen her kiss a handsome Irish lad in Ireland). She is beautiful, funny and engaging. Together with her fellow lead, Allen Leech, she captured your attention and then together they made the romance believable. It wasn't over acted which was refreshing...and came across as natural.
JoAnna plays a character who goes to Ireland to talk a town council in to selling their castle to be demolished and redeveloped by her development firm into a modern resort to draw tourists to the town. The town, as luck would have it, has a matchmaking festival which she enters because the council doesn't even listen to her pitch due to her not being familiar with their community. As it turns out she is thoughtful, engaged and hard working...she earns the respect of the head of the council...and a shot at a new pitch.
Sweet film, worth watching...especially for JoAnna.
JoAnna plays a character who goes to Ireland to talk a town council in to selling their castle to be demolished and redeveloped by her development firm into a modern resort to draw tourists to the town. The town, as luck would have it, has a matchmaking festival which she enters because the council doesn't even listen to her pitch due to her not being familiar with their community. As it turns out she is thoughtful, engaged and hard working...she earns the respect of the head of the council...and a shot at a new pitch.
Sweet film, worth watching...especially for JoAnna.
Delightful Hallmark
sarahilayda13 May 2021
Enjoyed it!
ts-000012 April 2021
Better than I expected
Jackbv12322 May 2021
This movie seems like it will use the premise of a company sending a woman to do a hatchet job on a small community, in this case by convincing them to tear down their beloved castle. Yes it is a terrible idea but it fits the mold of so many other movies in the same genre. Then of course something would keep that woman in town so she can fall in love with some local hunk. This movie did it in a slightly different way than usual. It was also more realistic than most that follow this premise in that the woman sent to pitch the locals actually goes about it with tact and charm. So many movies that follow this premise have the executive be arrogant and closed minded.
It did set me back a little in enjoyment when the local hunk, Brennan, sets his mind to chase Lindsey away by playing cruel tricks on her as she tries to immerse herself in the local culture. He's the one that's arrogant and closed minded.
Romantically, the ending is predictable, but then this is Hallmark and the world would cease to revolve if there weren't that kind of ending. But I found the way things worked out business-wise was a little different from the norm.
Johanna Garcia Swisher was charming and beautiful. She had great chemistry with Allen Leech once he stopped mistreating her. Watching their characters get to know each other was one of the highpoints of the movie, but still second to the amazing scenery. It made me sad that I missed a chance to go there a few years ago.
It did set me back a little in enjoyment when the local hunk, Brennan, sets his mind to chase Lindsey away by playing cruel tricks on her as she tries to immerse herself in the local culture. He's the one that's arrogant and closed minded.
Romantically, the ending is predictable, but then this is Hallmark and the world would cease to revolve if there weren't that kind of ending. But I found the way things worked out business-wise was a little different from the norm.
Johanna Garcia Swisher was charming and beautiful. She had great chemistry with Allen Leech once he stopped mistreating her. Watching their characters get to know each other was one of the highpoints of the movie, but still second to the amazing scenery. It made me sad that I missed a chance to go there a few years ago.
Delightful
vintagegeek12 April 2021
It's really easy to love a movie with Joanna Swisher, Alan Leech, and Ireland. Plus the clothes she obviously bought while in Ireland were beautiful, especially those sweaters. Or are they jumpers in Ireland. The two had genuine chemistry and real eye contact in their scenes, especially while dancing.
These Irish eyes are smiling!
domer-8823913 April 2021
This is a beautiful movie, and deserves sequels! Like other Hallmark movies filmed in Rome, Paris and Africa, location authenticity raises the bar. There is beautiful scenery, quaint locales, pub music, brogue, and whiskey. Sláinte!
"Luck" isn't your typical Hallmark movie, but in the best of ways. It has a "Leap Year" (2010) charm. 'Lindsay' favors Amy Adams, and 'Brennan' has Matthew Goode's wry humor and touch of melancholy.
Hallmark truly redeemed itself from what my disappointment in "Forever in My Heart" (2019). Ok, "Luck" has another hotel development project intersecting local Ireland, but it shows us more of Ireland, including the majestic Cliffs of Moher. JoAnna Swisher is utterly charming. Allen Leach is a native Irishman, and his accent and use of the old Irish language are second nature, not coached.
"Luck" isn't your typical Hallmark movie, but in the best of ways. It has a "Leap Year" (2010) charm. 'Lindsay' favors Amy Adams, and 'Brennan' has Matthew Goode's wry humor and touch of melancholy.
Hallmark truly redeemed itself from what my disappointment in "Forever in My Heart" (2019). Ok, "Luck" has another hotel development project intersecting local Ireland, but it shows us more of Ireland, including the majestic Cliffs of Moher. JoAnna Swisher is utterly charming. Allen Leach is a native Irishman, and his accent and use of the old Irish language are second nature, not coached.
Wonderful
chefeduardo12 April 2021
This was by far one of the better Hallmark movies in a while! Both leads were wonderful and they had great chemistry as well.
And while I like most of the regular Hallmark actors, It was also nice to see some fresh faces.
And the backdrop of Ireland is hard to beat!
And while I like most of the regular Hallmark actors, It was also nice to see some fresh faces.
And the backdrop of Ireland is hard to beat!
No Romatic Lead
doug2go11 April 2021
The story and Ireland were great but I spent the better part of 90 minutes trying to accept Allen Leech as a romantic lead and failed . He is a good and perhaps great actor but Hallmark has a stable of men who can and have played excellent romantic leads in a Romance Movie - he isn't one of them . JoAnna Garcia Swisher is good as the lead actress but doesn't set the movie on fire - having said that - she could do well with a different foil for a romantic partner.
I kept saying to myself "this is on Hallmark, right?" Did they get new writers?? Sooo gooooddd!!
kazykoki28 May 2021
First of all Toooooommmmmm!!! If you were a Downton fan then you will be as pleasantly shook as I was at the male lead in this one.
To the review now. It. Was. So. Beautiful. There was depth my friends, there was depth. It wasn't super fluffy and copy and paste like it usually goes with Hallmark romances. There was a story, there was great acting accompanying that story and there were Hollywood meets BBC-y romance vibes in a good heart tugging way. If you are a seasoned Hallmark movie watcher then you have to see this one-in-a-million release and be pleasantly surprised at how it stands out beautifully from the rest. I don't know who penned and directed this, but I want to give them a hug and beg them to do all future Hallmark movies. Never knew Hallmark could! Apparently they can!! Give us more!!!!
To the review now. It. Was. So. Beautiful. There was depth my friends, there was depth. It wasn't super fluffy and copy and paste like it usually goes with Hallmark romances. There was a story, there was great acting accompanying that story and there were Hollywood meets BBC-y romance vibes in a good heart tugging way. If you are a seasoned Hallmark movie watcher then you have to see this one-in-a-million release and be pleasantly surprised at how it stands out beautifully from the rest. I don't know who penned and directed this, but I want to give them a hug and beg them to do all future Hallmark movies. Never knew Hallmark could! Apparently they can!! Give us more!!!!
You know its good...
alar6211 April 2021
When you review the movie before it's over.
What a great salute to Ireland!
Hallmark needs to add JoAnna Garcia Swisher to their rotation of actors because she's such a natural on screen. Actually the whole cast are amazing-they give a real feel of the place.
Hope there's a sequel.
What a great salute to Ireland!
Hallmark needs to add JoAnna Garcia Swisher to their rotation of actors because she's such a natural on screen. Actually the whole cast are amazing-they give a real feel of the place.
Hope there's a sequel.
Tom Branson leaves Downton Abbey to star in this Hallmark movie set in Ireland.
TxMike19 November 2021
Being a Hallmark movie my wife and I knew what to expect. They are all clean and follow the Hallmark formula. Attractive single woman and attractive single man are attracted to each other but some big differences need to be worked out before they can find real love.
In this story she is a USA based negotiator for a big company that buys properties and builds hotels and resorts. She is sent to a quaint village on the Irish coast to do a deal but the locals don't want to sell unless the old, run-down castle can be preserved. The village badly needs money.
He (a real Irishman) seems to be the local jack of all trades. He runs the pub, he makes his own Irish whiskey, he is involved in the yearly matchmaking festival, and a few other things. Including having played Tom Branson on Downton Abbey.
All in all a nicely entertaining movie, beautifully filmed, viewed at home on DVD from our public library.
In this story she is a USA based negotiator for a big company that buys properties and builds hotels and resorts. She is sent to a quaint village on the Irish coast to do a deal but the locals don't want to sell unless the old, run-down castle can be preserved. The village badly needs money.
He (a real Irishman) seems to be the local jack of all trades. He runs the pub, he makes his own Irish whiskey, he is involved in the yearly matchmaking festival, and a few other things. Including having played Tom Branson on Downton Abbey.
All in all a nicely entertaining movie, beautifully filmed, viewed at home on DVD from our public library.
Irish vacation
SnoopyStyle26 June 2022
Lindsey Johnson (JoAnna Garcia Swisher) is an acquisition manager for a New York based hotel conglomerate. She is sent to Ireland to buy a castle although she faces local opposition from the town council including Brennan O'Brien (Allen Leech). In order to ingratiate herself with the town, she joins their various activities including the annual Matchmaking Festival.
There is rural Ireland and an Irish mansion. This Hallmark romance has a good location but everything else is a bit bland. The romance doesn't have much heat. It doesn't have the best meet-cute and it basically lays flat for the rest of the movie. As for the big hurdle with the story, it doesn't make much sense. I don't understand why the company has to tear down the castle. It costs money to tear it down and there is plenty of land all around. What's the point of buying the property if they're just leveling it anyways? I do like Lindsey finding meaning in her work and all that. They could have done more with the ring. Other than the location, this is a rather bland Hallmark movie.
There is rural Ireland and an Irish mansion. This Hallmark romance has a good location but everything else is a bit bland. The romance doesn't have much heat. It doesn't have the best meet-cute and it basically lays flat for the rest of the movie. As for the big hurdle with the story, it doesn't make much sense. I don't understand why the company has to tear down the castle. It costs money to tear it down and there is plenty of land all around. What's the point of buying the property if they're just leveling it anyways? I do like Lindsey finding meaning in her work and all that. They could have done more with the ring. Other than the location, this is a rather bland Hallmark movie.
Loved it!
leswagner-4215924 April 2021
This movie had inspired me to fulfill my dream of going to Ireland! I'm excited to go and experience the culture, the food and of course see the sites of this beautiful country! Who knows....maybe I'll meet someone special!!
Love this movie!
flowerdeb11 April 2021
I always enjoy Joanna in her films. I am related to the St Lawrence family who owned Howth Castle and got the chance to see it in 2017. Seeing it in the film and more of the beautiful Irish countryside, just filled me up.
One word~chemistry!
jthecl111 April 2021
The two main actors were spot on and I couldn't get enough of every scene they were in together. The Irish customs, scenery and supporting actors made me feel like I was right there. Yes, we have visited the storyline before, but the charm surrounding the story made it unique. Wonderful!
Not your typical Hallmark movie!
alar6215 April 2021
Great story based from actual historic events in scenic Ireland. Believable chemistry between the two leads and a wonderful supporting cast. And not a prince or neglectful boyfriend in sight. Loved it-hope there's a sequel.
As Luck would Have It
sbraman12 April 2021
Reall6 solid hallmark moviesolid movie
hypzrkunt16 August 2021
Sweet Story
knmbiggs13 April 2021
The Matchmaker 1997, but done better
mounthebron18 June 2021
Movie was clearly inspired by the late 90's movie with Janeane Garofalo in the lead role, but this time sweet & genuine instead of goofy & over-the-top with Irish stereotypes like it's antecedent. So many Hallmark movies rely on the same old tired trope of "some kind of misunderstanding" to manufacture its drama, but this movie actually feels like a real situation that could happen to real people. It was released in April, missing the obvious March 17th week festivities, so if you haven't seen it yet, maybe wait until your next St. Patrick's Day to enhance all those Irish feels.
Fall in love with Ireland
hallmarkmov19 May 2021
10 stars because...Allen Leech!
bigsis_je8 July 2021
Great Rom com
Ranbl8 September 2021
It's a classsic girl comes to town for one reason meets a guy and so on.
What makes this movie really shine is great performances by joanna garcia and alan leech and the sheer breath taking beauty of ireland.
I watched it for maddie Townsend and for tom branson to start with. But ireland was the real lucky charm.
What makes this movie really shine is great performances by joanna garcia and alan leech and the sheer breath taking beauty of ireland.
I watched it for maddie Townsend and for tom branson to start with. But ireland was the real lucky charm.
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