Very, Very, Valentine (2018 TV Movie) User Reviews

Chasing love

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 28 July 2022]

'Very, Very Valentine' is the second 2018 Countdown to Valentine's Day film from Hallmark. The first being 'My Secret Valentine'. It stars two of Hallmark's most popular regular actors Danica McKellar and Cameron Mathison, Mathison is always worth watching even in the not so good films but McKellar can be a bit too more of the same in her typecast roles. Hallmark do vary when it comes to their Valentine's Day films, which is not a surprise as all their seasonal blocks are inconsistent.

Luckily, 'Very, Very Valentine' is a winner and as far as the Valentine's Day films from Hallmark go it compares favourably. Similarly it compares favourably when it comes to talking about Hallmark's 2018 films, without being among the very best. It is a good representation of both McKellar and Mathison and one of the films to see if usually McKellar's appeal is lost on you (have seen this quite a lot in reviews for some of her other films so that's why it's being mentioned).

By all means, 'Very, Very Valentine' isn't mind blowing. Story-wise, it is very formulaic, where most plot points are foreseeable well before they happen (due to Hallmark doing them a number of times before). And also on the lightweight side, meaning on the slightly thin side and also where it is all wonderfully pleasant and polite with lots of charm but also with not a lot of depth or goal.

Occasionally the dialogue is on the corny side and some of the editing is a little disorganised and in the wrong order like.

However, there is a lot to like about 'Very, Very Valentine'. McKellar is charming and perky in a role that may not be too much of a stretch for her but it's not dull or annoying. Mathison is every bit as appealing and always looks relaxed and positive in energy, as well as showing his usual subtle natural charisma. Their chemistry is warm and charming, and never feels forced. The supporting cast are good too, especially Damon Runyan as the sort of Hallmark cliche character that can be played too much of a jerk but here played in a way that refreshingly makes it easy to root for him.

Also thought that the scenery was beautiful to watch and that the photography complemented it nicely, never cheapening it. The music didn't come over as over-powering or used too much. The film is assuredly directed, while the script mostly flows well and has an appealing light-hearted-ness. The story is cute and heart-warming and even with the predictability being high there is also a cheerful energy that stops it from getting mundane and although prematurely telegraphed the ending is also surprisingly touching. Characters that didn't sound like that they would be appealing conceptually did turn out to be a lot more interesting and easier to get behind than expected.

In summary, not great but a very pleasant watch. 7/10.

Enjoyable enough

[Elara89 · 7/10 · 1 February 2020]

A problem I have with these movies, are the little mistakes, most of which have been mentioned. One that hasn't been mentioned, was glaringly obvious in this one. Why, when they have been friends for years, didn't Helen recognize Henry's handwriting? Friends that I have known for that many years, I know their handwriting, if they give me an unsigned card or a gift, I know who it is and don't thank someone else.

Other reviewers here have commented on Danica McKellar's long hair. Why shouldn't she have long hair at any age? If it looks good (and it does), and mostly, if she likes it, that is her choice. Just because a woman reaches a certain age, doesn't mean she has to automatically chop off her hair.

linda-plant2 lamented that Damon Runyan should get the girl for a change. Off the top of my head, he got the girl in: 'One Starry Christmas' 2014. They do seem to give their corral of actors/actresses each a chance at getting the girl/guy. So hang in there, I'm sure he will get the girl again.

Middle-Age Romance

[omijer · 7/10 · 12 February 2018]

This tv movie is a sweet, very romantic story about two college best friends, who discover their true feelings about one another a bit late in life. It benefits from being tied in to a serious enviromental theme of preserving a botanical garden that is at risk for being turned into a condo/mall money-maker. Both leads are established made-for-tv movie stars and are very appealing favorites. However. both seemed a bit mature in years to be experiencing such a romantic realization. Having been best friends in college, and then each going their separate way is a good beginning background story..But Danica McKellar is 43 and Cameron Mathieson is 48..leaving this viewer to wonder how the audience is expected to believe that more than 20 years had passed before they revealed their true feelings. Their romance seemed more appropriate for people in their late 20's, perhaps mid-thirties..but not at age 43 and 48. Something about Cameron Mathison's wide-eyed, innocent portrayal of a very smart botanist left one in disbelief. He is too mature and too established an actor to portray such an immature suitor. Danica McKellar is always lovely and takes her roles seriously. However, at this time of her own career, she might want to rethink all that long hair and all those tendrils around her face. She is far too beautiful to cover so much of her beauty with all that fussy hair. The second male lead, Damon Runyon, is under-used in Hallmark films. He is handsome, talented and very much leading man material. He needs to be moved out of the 'other man'/bad guy roles.

Very, Very Likeable

[moho-40260 · 19 February 2018]

As a Hallmark fan, I'm very familiar with Danica McKellar and Cameron Mathison (whose best Hallmark role was in the Murder She Baked series, sadly no longer). This was a great pairing and I believed in their friendship from years ago that sustained until the present. However, as one reviewer noted, these leads are in the 40's and I did feel as if they each were trying (not too convincingly) to play their parts at least 10 to 15 years younger than they really are. While I think it worked for this film, it would have been even better if they portrayed their characters as their own true age and discovered love after decades of friendship. That would have been more believeable. I love Ms. McKellar in Hallmark, however, she needs to stop playing the wide-eyed innocent girl in her 20's. Although Ms. McKellar looks fantastic, we all know she is in her 40's and viewer her age would love to see her characters played to her true age. Not to mention she is a brilliant mathematician in real life and I think that alone has great potential for a future Hallmark movie. A very, very good movie that I actually did end up watching again because of its sweetness.

Predictably cheesy

[jml1988 · 6/10 · 12 February 2020]

Every part of this movie was as I expected it to be. That being said, it still had the feel-good charm that Hallmarkers are famous for. Worth the watch, I'd say.

The editing...oh my

[laursen4-571-801254 · 7/10 · 18 January 2020]

I will not add much about the overall movie as many others have given plenty. I will, however, comment on the editing...not so good. One moment she is wearing a black wrap....and then she's not. One moment a friend was going to get Helen's coat and only came back with a scarf, wrapped it around her neck...on a body already wearing a black coat. Helen leaves the store in the black coat...but all of a sudden she is wearing a red coat. In the masquerade ball Henry has a mask, and then he doesn't in the next shot. This was all in the first third of the movie...and little things like that just kept happening. So while I enjoyed the movie, storyline and acting...the editing was poor and thus distracting and detracting.

Cute but stretching at parts

[kz917-1 · 6/10 · 18 February 2019]

Danica McKellar and Cameron Mathison were great but two things annoyed me every time I saw them on screen. One. Danica's hair hanging in her face and Two. Cameron with a backpack traipsing in & out of scenes.

Cute. Chemistry. Just baffling story bits at times.

Watchable if you like the actors.

Sweet but predictable.

[savethewatchmaker · 5/10 · 2 March 2018]

This movie feels like a textbook five out of ten---it's sweet and enjoyable, but also incredibly predictable and therefore bordering on boring.

Danica McKellar, who plays the protagonist Helen, is a Hallmark veteran, so viewers inevitably find themselves growing fond of her after the fifth or so movie that features her in a main role. However, she suffers from a case of eyebrow acting that never fails to be distracting---whenever possible, her expression is one of shyness, hesitance, apprehension, and almost woe, to the point where it is almost her default face, all thanks to her perpetually bent eyebrows. This is probably to make her characters more likable, less brash, more charmingly tentative, but after seeing it in the tenth movie, it feels less like an acting choice, and more like the only option Danica has for her face.

The story that then proceeds to unfold around her is unbelievably foreseeable. She meets a handsome masked man, Charles, at the masquerade ball her longtime friend Henry invites her to, and feels an instant attraction to him. However, even before this moment, pointed conversations with her Aunt Carol about Henry make it clear who she's going to ultimately end up with in the film. Henry is a kind, caring friend who she's known since college, and both of them are hiding (seemingly) covert feelings for each other. Especially hard to believe is Henry's grand selflessness, which is so far off the charts he's hardly even playing a believable human anymore---it begins simply enough, with him bringing Charles to Helen after unexpectedly finding him on the street, but stretches onward to him planning dates for them, buying Helen meaningful gifts that he then gives to Charles to present her with, and even dropping off sweet notes and coffee at Helen's workplace that seem as if they're from Charles. Although shooting for extremely nice (and possibly saint-like), I found that Hallmark greatly overshot this trait and circled straight around to deceptive, as ultimately, Henry is presenting a false version of Charles that does not actually exist to Helen, giving her an impression of him that is highly inaccurate.

The audience knows, however, that Charles poses no threat to the actual love story. He's working for a company intending to turn the botanical gardens that Henry works for into condos, which injures Helen, a florist, deeply, and she severs ties with him. She later refers to Charles as a "prince who was more frog," which seems awfully harsh for a man who was inadvertently made to be extremely different from his real self thanks to Henry's meddling.

Henry, meanwhile, is moving to Arizona (how else will our leads work up the courage to confess their feelings if not torn apart by distance) but returns home when a teary Helen tells him she loves him over the phone. He stays in New York and decides to surprise her, calling in a flower order that Helen must deliver to the botanical gardens where he lies in wait (the fact that she had to prepare a flower arrangement that was intended as a gift for her is not lost on the audience) with a ring. This jump from "just friends" to fiances feels extreme for the movie, even if these two have been friends for more than two decades (assuming their ages are similar to the actors' own). Also quickly resolved in the last second is that Helen's specially grown rose has won first place in a competition that, early on in the movie, felt quite significant, but ended up warranting no more than a quick glance at a first place ribbon in the last few moments of the film.

Overall, the movie was charming in its simplicity, but hardly challenged or surprised the audience at any moment. At no point did anyone suspect that Charles was real competition for Henry, or that Helen and Henry would not come to their senses by the movie's end, creating a lack of suspense that would have kept the movie much more interesting had it existed.

Very Very Touching

[gretchjc · 8/10 · 4 April 2019]

I read other reviews (Danica doesn't do her hair, the hired stylist does) and thought another review was needed. I loved this movie (and I am not a big Hallmark movie buff). The story line was unique, albeit a bit 'Cinderella'-ish with him leaving the boutonniere behind. The idea of a botanical garden was a refreshing change and that it's head botanist was re-connecting with a florist was destined, ala the florist's parents, and sweet. The acting was good and in fact I thought Damon's personality to be a bit snooty and aristocratic, not at all suited to Danica's character. What I did have trouble believing was grass in NYC in front of any store and other than in Central Park. I also questioned the level of snow as NYC would keep things cleared, for the most part. And, the setting of NYC could have been plausible if the exteriors were not so 'small town', precisely what Hamilton, ONT is: small town. All in all, it's a delightful movie and the ending was touching, and most unexpected.

Screenplay Written by a Woman

[jiaidc · 6/10 · 2 March 2023]

Viewing this movie from a male perspective there are some glaring problems.

First, it is VERY bad form for a woman to carry on with a man, at a social event, other than the man that brought you - it's very disrespectful.

It is even worse to share the play by play of your time with the other man with the man that brought you-that is just cruel

Further, it is absolute fiction that any man that has a crush on a woman would independently strive to find the other man - why would he do that? This is a feminine fantasy that the man loves her so much that he wants her to be happy even if it isn't with him.

He helps the other guy win the heart of the girl that he has had a crush on since college-he doesn't even fight for her. Then feels so sad that he takes a job in a different city.

It a seems like a device to get a happy ending. I never bought the premise that any guy would do something that would make him sad or that any woman would be so clueless - until that romantic finish.

Another Danica Hallmark movie

[echers · 2/10 · 2 April 2021]

As a seasoned Hallmark pro and in many movies, she still is one of the worst kissers. I cringe to see her kiss her costar and she often does not have chemistry with anyone.

Skip this movie and watch a Taylor Cole or Erin Cahill movie instead.

Pleasantly surprising.

[MIssM19 · 8/10 · 12 February 2018]

I went into this movie not knowing much and expecting an overused plot. The movie, while mantaining its hallmark (pun intended) seemed somehow different.

Helen is a florist (Danica McKellar). Her best friend is Henry, who works at the botanical garden. (Cameron Mathison). While they are at a party Helen connects with this other guy and is determined to find out who he is the day after. She, of course, asks Henry to help her. Not aware he is in love with her (and viceversa).

Both Danica and Cameron deliver an acceptable performance. However, I gotta admit that Danica always shines on her own. Pretty good chemistry between the two of them. Another surprise for me.

At the beginning of the movie there is a mention of a contest and of course Helen has THE perfect flower to present. (I've seen this before with flowers, wine and even perfume) but I was pleasantly surprised when I didn't see the contest and not a good cause to save (wait for it).

My favorite aspect of the movie was the fact that the main characters are not strangers, exes, nor colleagues who are forced to work together. And is there a better trope than two best friends who love each other but are too stubborn to admit it? Only a few. Once again, to my surprise, the "mystery man" - aka boyfriend? - was not an absolute narcissist, focused only on himself, which was a nice change.

Can be talk about the fact that it was Damon Ruyan? Someone who already has movies as the main character?

Dislikes? Only a few: The classic "I wanted a fairy tale story" which is extremely overused and tiring. And while the ending was lovely, I believe it was too much of a leap? But y'all be the judge of that.

A Cute Story

[crystal-viola45 · 7/10 · 27 July 2023]

This was a new, not typical Hallmark movie, The story of friends to lovers can be detected from the first scene between Helen and Henry. The development of the story was nice, and the love triangle wasn't unbelievable.

The actors were chosen well for their parts, this was the only movie were I didn't think that Danica McKellar acting was awkward, and Cameron Mathison was great -as always-. But the surprise was in Damon Runyan, his role is usually portrayed in a bad way, but in this movie he was -almost- a likable character, he even teared up at the breakup scene.

All of the above doesn't mean it was a perfect movie, it was in some aspects your usual typical Hallmark movie.

Too predictable - nothing new here

[phd_travel · 3/10 · 13 February 2018]

A lady falls for a man at a masked ball. But he turns out to be less suited to her than her best friend. The problem with the story is there is just no surprise or much of a difference at all. Just too predictable. It's been done before and better. There is a Cyrano like situation going on.

I like Danica McKellar in these types of movies but she is a little mature not old but mature to be playing this kind of role. Her best friend who turns out to be her true love is played by Cameron Mathison who has a bit of a strange voice that isn't quite suited to the romantic lead.

Hallmark does Cyrano de Bergerac, in modern New York.

[TxMike · 14 June 2022]

The core story in "Cyrano" is his unspoken love for Roxanne and willing to do whatever it takes for her happiness, even if it means coaching someone else that she is attracted to. That is pretty much what happens here when she meets a mysterious new guy and her old friend from college tries to help out, even though HE has always loved her.

SHE is a florist who also breeds new varieties. HE is a Botanist but with the local Botanical Gardens in financial trouble may need to move on. However HE gets her to enter her yet unnamed new rose hybrid in the big contest.

The new guy, a lawyer working with clients to turn the Botanical Gardens into new condos, turns out to be a dud, just like in "Cyrano" and it is up to her old friend to wake up and realize SHE and HE belong together.

This is a pleasant Hallmark movie but lacks some of the zippiness of the better Hallmark movies. My wife and I enjoyed it at home on DVD from our public library.

Cute but typical Hallmark

[aspenknoll · 5/10 · 4 November 2019]

I knew going in that this would be a typical Hallmark romance movie. I liked it as a whole but there were sooooo many things I had issues with (ie: not believable to me) As a professional floral designer myself (with over 22 years of experience), the whole floral shop setting wasn't that believable for me. This is supposed to be set in the days before Valentines Day. No flower shop would be that slow...! 🤣 The "rose" plant she bred (called a variety not a brand) wasn't realistic...not to mention it was in a pot...in a room with poor artificial light. Someone needed to do way more research on the floral industry before they produced this. The continuity was lacking as well. There would be snow in one scene and not the next.( plus the obvious factor of freezing temperature that no amount of tulle is going to protect a floral arrangement from🙄)

Forget the cynics - this is wonderful

[studioAT · 10/10 · 27 February 2020]

It's very easy to bash films like this. Yes, they are predictable, but what they offer most of all is escapism - and at the moment don't we need a bit of that?!

This is a simple romantic comedy, the sort that in our age of Marvel and other action films, don't get made any more.

With wonderful chemistry between the two leads (including the ever lovely Danica McKellar) this story about a florist taking risks to find the right man, only to perhaps realise he's closer than she thinks is excellent.

I cannot rate it highly enough.

stretching credulity

[linda-plant2 · 5/10 · 16 February 2019]

I agree with all the comments from the other reviewers. Cameron Mathis looks his age, and cannot pass for anyone in their early 30s. Danica McKellar does need to rethink her hair with the annoying bits hanging around her face, as has already been mentioned. Pity she didn't end up with Damon Runyan - far better looking and about time he got the girl for a change.

Hello, I'm right here

[MickyG333 · 8/10 · 25 March 2023]

7.5 stars.

Classic tale of a woman named Helen who is hoping to find her prince charming, but is merely lazily and aimlessly searching for him. What Helen doesn't realize is that her best friend Henry is that perfect man. As this familiar trope continues, Helen meets a mysterious man named Charles at a masquerade ball. I could delve much deeper into the narrative, but you can guess every common gimmick utilized to bring us "Very, Very, Valentine". The supposed man of her dreams, is of course far from measuring up and has to enlist Henry's help in order to preserve any chance of maintaining her affection. People say this is a twist on Cyrano de Bergerac, and I suppose it resembles it, but in the most notable aspects it is markedly dissimilar.

I am intrigued by the development of the potential side romance between Henry and Beth. This adds an element of fun that lures us in by creating more tension and excitement. No big surprise when Helen happens to catch a glimpse of their budding relationship, she inexorably recoils in dismay.

The fact that Charles is an integral part of a substantial contract to buy the botanical gardens that Helen loves so dearly and where Henry works, and transform them into a bunch of dream condominiums; is simply the icing on the cake of an already doomed relationship. I'm sure the writer of this film didn't need to compound the situation by making Charles out to be part of the big bad establishment that threatens to destroy all that is beautiful. Then again, why not, however I'm sure the natural flow of their flimsy connection would have fizzled out on its own eventually.

I oft forget the emotional powerhouse that Danica McKellar can be when she puts her energy into a role. She elevates this reserved woman named Helen to a passionate and spirited person that did not exist at the beginning of this story. For this alone I raise my rating a discernible half star from 7.0 to 7.5.

For lack of original material "Very, Very, Valentine" continues to provide slightly above average entertainment, which it owes mainly to the pithy conversations between Helen and Henry as they skirt around the obvious dilemmas caused by the whole affair. Add to this the painting that Helen so dearly wishes to have for herself, and the secret behind the anonymous gifter. And finally, there is the plot line with the alternate investor and how that comes to fruition. These add much more depth to the film than I had anticipated, and hoists it beyond an elementary romance.

"Very, Very, Valentine" is multi-faceted, but at its core is simply a tale of two best friends who inevitably fell in love, and took a little too long to realize it. Unfortunately, we are being inundated with the theory that best friends of the opposite sex are destined to fall in love as soulmates. This thesis is only speculation at best, but Hallmark promulgates it whenever afforded the opportunity.

In the end I am somewhat surprised and satisfied with the final product, despite the repetitive yarn and rigid idealism.

Really enjoyed this

[VetteRanger · 8/10 · 15 February 2023]

We've been consistently watching Hallmark's Christmas movies for at least ten years now, but very seldom paid attention to the rest. We branched out a bit this year, and discovered to no surprise at all that all of their movies are very similar ... it's just that the Christmas movies throw in a Christmas theme which may or may not have much to do with the story.

But Cameron Mathison and Danica McKellar are two of our favorites in the Christmas movies, so when I happened to spot this on the schedule I flagged it to record. We're happy I did. The movie was as charming as these two actors consistently are, and the story was at least a BIT different, as these two romantic leads are best friends without a clue they're really in love ... that is ... until Mathison thinks McKellar is attracted to a mysterious man from a costume event and tries to make the match ...