The Sweetest Heart (2018 TV Movie) User Reviews

solid Hallmark

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 28 July 2019]

Maddie Strong (Julie Gonzalo) returns to her home town after 14 years to open a cupcake store in memory of her beloved grandma. Her lifelong best friend Sarah is getting married. Chloe is her assistant. Alex Perkins is the handsome investment banker with a potential investor. Maddie is surprised when her first love Nate returns to town. She is still furious at him for getting cold feet a decade earlier.

I like Julie Gonzalo with her nose bridge scar and her personal warmth. This Hallmark romance is actually interesting in the positioning of an old love and a new love. Usually, the old love is the primary love. This one is truly up in the air. It's actually fascinating to have neither guy be an idiot. In the beginning, I assumed the ship would be Chloe and Nate thereby freeing Maddie to pair up with Alex. This one goes down a well established path. I'm not opposed but I would have preferred more back and forth. This is a very solid Hallmark romance. I hope for nothing but the best for Gonzalo although I'm not opposed to her being a Hallmark regular.

OK

[Jackbv123 · 6/10 · 22 May 2018]

I thought Chris McNally was a little too restrained. so while he and Julie Gonzalo connected, I didn't think there were a lot of sparks. And Gonzalo played insecure for most of the movie which just isn't appealing.

The story was pretty average. Pluses that the rival guy wasn't a cliché. But the ending left me a little flat. Even at best, it was nothing special.

For me the highlight was Andrea Brooks. Yes she overplayed the shy wallflower a little bit. She is far too attractive for that to be believable. But her part was cute even so. I think it is time Hallmark gave Brooks a lead part.

Sweet and heart-warming

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 8 December 2021]

Have seen the two leads, Julie Gonzalo and Chris McNally, individually in other things and both are very likeable when their material is good. The scenario for the first 2018 Spring Fever film from Hallmark is a pretty typical one and it's easy to tell from the outset that there was going to be little originality, but it is hard to resist anything with cupcakes if you like me have a sweet touch. Hallmark's output is wildly variable in all their seasonal blockings, but they have been known to do some watchable things.

'The Sweetest Heart' is definitely one of those watchable efforts. More than watchable in fact, actually though pretty good as long as not too much is expected. As far as the 2018 Spring Fever films go, it is one of the better ones and is not at all bad for Hallmark's 2018 output. Am not going to say that 'The Sweetest Heart' is a great film because it isn't, but it is a very charmingly sweet film with a very warm heart and without being too sickly sweet. Like it easily could have been, considering what it revolves around.

As to be expected, there is very little new here and did feel that it dragged on occasions. Especially in the final quarter or so, which felt too convenient and under-cooked at the end.

Did find McNally a little too restrained to begin with as well.

But actually, there is not an awful lot wrong. Gonzalo is very engaging and likeable, her character is a flawed one but she's not overly flawed and she grows. McNally on the whole has a nice subtle easy going charm that is immensely appealing, and he and Gonzalo do have spark together and make for a cute couple. Their relationship is not meaty but it develops at a decent rate and isn't underused. Andrea Brooks brings some welcome vim to her role and the supporting cast are solid.

It is a very nice looking film too, one of Hallmark's best looking 2018 films in my view. The scenery really does entrance and the photography doesn't cheapen it at all. The music at least fits tonally and in placement and has presence without being over-loud. The dialogue is sharp enough and flows naturally, while also having the right amount of sentiment (not too much in quality and quantity). The characters aren't complex, then again that shouldn't be expected watching Hallmark, but aren't too stereotypical and are likeable enough. The story may be predictable and not perfect in pace, but it is incredibly charming, sweet without being too sugary and very heart-warming. There is a nice lightness to it too.

Concluding, not great but nice effort. 7/10.

Nice movie

[teresawhitehead-66163 · 7/10 · 18 September 2021]

Enjoyed the relationship chemistry with Julie Gonzalo and Chris McNally. Storyline of past love not unique but these two along with the supporting cast kept me interested.

Looks good! Boring story..

[dawn-7-598383 · 2 November 2018]

Sets and costumes look great! The story is just terrible. At least it doesn't have everyone looking the same and living in the same house with different furniture.

Cupcake maker and cardiologist decorate cupcakes and reconnect with each other.

[cgvsluis · 7/10 · 26 May 2022]

Nate and Maddie were childhood sweethearts and they had ambitious plans to open a cupcake store in the old creamery where Maddie's grandparents first met...only something happened along the way. Now Maddie is trying to expand her cupcake business and Nate is back in town to give lectures for three weeks as a cardiologist.

The investment headhunter is young, handsome and interested in Maddie...unfortunately Maddie doesn't feel anything in return...and that is where Nate comes in.

This was a sweet romance, Nate is the perfect gentleman and Maddie is delightfully driven to see her vision through. They have wonderful chemistry and I would recommend this for a great spring romance for all those romantics out there. Although I am not sure I would like pine nut flavored frosting...I was ok with the rosemary in a cupcake, but not the pine nuts.

There were two "when calls the heart" actors in this film and it was fun to see them in a contemporary piece. I particularly enjoyed Chris McNally's performance as Nate the cardiologist.

More dumb decisions

[MickyG333 · 6/10 · 29 January 2023]

6.4 stars.

Who really meets the ONE, and lets it slide until the relationship implodes into nothingness? People really do this I guess, really dumb people. First of all, in "The Sweetest Heart", you have a guy and a girl, they make a vow, they know they are in love, they are the ones for each other. So they think that a long distance relationship will work and so he goes off to college and they plan that in 4 years they'll get married. All we know is that it didn't work out, and now it's 14 years later and he's coming back to town.

If they had any smart relatives or friends, those people would advise them against such irresponsible decisions. If you know you've found the one, you grab hold of them, and you never let go. You might ask, but how would I know if they are the one? You have a best friend, or sibling, mother, or father who loves you enough to explain what's important in life and how you can read your own heart and understand how it communicates with you. If they are not willing to help you when it comes to matters of the heart and finding "the one", then they are a dysfunctional bunch. How many people I know just shrug off, make light, or just make fun of romantics. You must realize that finding your one and only is the single most important decision you can make in this life...outside of God.

This movie is over-simplified to focus on one single event - the reuniting of two soul mates. It takes way too long for them to get it right. Who writes this nonsense?

Sweet movie.

[MIssM19 · 8/10 · 19 March 2018]

Maddie wants to expand her Cupcake shop and while searching for an investor, a familiar face shows up at her shop. Her exboyfriend, Nate, who one day had promised her forever, comes back to his hometown and surprises her.

Julie Gonzalo is great and I was excited to see her sharing the lead with a new face. This movie is everything you expect it to be: a familiar Hallmark movie.

Let me start by saying the chemistry was great, I found myself holding my breath more than once and this alone made me happy. I swear the way the two characters looked at each other... While the formula is one we all know, two exes reconnecting after spending time together (which I'm trash for) I was really pleased with this movie.

This movie is the only one I was looking forward to of the "Spring Fever" so I'm happy it didn't let me down. I don't think there is anything much to say: were things that I complained about? Almost none. Mostly good things. It just was too adorable. If you enjoy this type of movies I do recommend you watch it.

The cupcakes are sweet looking - the couple not so

[phd_travel · 4/10 · 1 October 2018]

Everything is nice looking in this bakery owner rekindling a romance with an old flame story except it's a bit lacking in romance. She is sweet looking but he looks like he'd rather be somewhere else.

The ending is so cliched. Is it really right to give up his medical career goals for a bakery? Can't she open a bakery somewhere else?

Great Sunday relaxing at home movie!

[misswestvan · 9/10 · 13 September 2018]

My daughter and I watched this together. She just loves Julie Gonzalos. I thought it was very well made, and a nice movie to watch with your tween daughter. We both loved the cup cake shop! And all the great colors! My daughter is now driving me crazy for the pink and lilac tops Maddie wore! We can't find them in any stores? Highly recommend for wholesome family tv time. It's a warm and fuzzy feeling move. Thank you Hallmark!

Unbelievable

[bilc-01949 · 1/10 · 21 August 2018]

Movie was not believable, especially the character Nick. The show did not discuss why Nick had not returned to his hometown as he had promised or why they broke off. Storyline should have been more believable.

She make everything sweetest

[angelar-852-118697 · 8/10 · 9 August 2020]

Love her , she's very sweet person and good actress

Too sickly sweet for my liking

[lsuachang · 3/10 · 10 April 2022]

A friend had suggested this movie to me as they said it reminded them of "13 going on to 30"with Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo which I really enjoyed. Unfortunately this movie fell flat and didn't come close. It was too sickly sweet for me. The cupcake shop owner was a strong independent woman, but she became like a whinning demanding mother figure rather than a supportive girlfriend. I think she would of been more convincing as the cardiologist and him being the cupcake shop owner. Didn't feel it was highly disappointing.

Fantastic movie

[aksqwhite · 10/10 · 20 March 2018]

The movie was extremely well made it would be worth watching

Poor lighting

[gd-48806 · 4/10 · 13 May 2019]

When lighting is done correctly it's not noticeable . Unfortunately the lighting in this film is done so poorly it's a distraction.

Cute...

[MoosesWin · 8/10 · 30 September 2020]

What's there not to like about cupcakes! I like Julie Gonzalo and find her under used by Hallmark. She's not over the top cutsie like many of their leading ladies nor is she an overly made up lead. The movie was cute and yes, of course, it's a sappy story but that's why we watch them. They're predictable happiness and we all need that sometimes. I hope one day Hallmark will cast her with Ryan Paevy, he's also under used.

Normal life

[SunnyDaise · 10/10 · 4 March 2021]

There's nothing particularly different about this movie, but that's why it works - it's a life-like scenario. Business / career often dominates people's 20s/30s with no time/energy for anything else. Sometimes you just gotta get it out of your system before anything else really matters. It's part of who you are and it makes you who you are, so there's nothing wrong with sidelining romance. All these characters are totally believable / relatable to me - they're all going at the pace that's right for them, and that's the only way to have a good balance in life.

The Sweetest Heart

[studioAT · 9/10 · 25 March 2021]

I always think Julie Gonzalo is great in these type of films, and here is no exception. This was a sharply written Hallmark film, with a good soundtrack to boot. With good chemistry between the leads and some lovely moments, this was good fun. One of my favourite Hallmark films.

Cute movie

[dianamarinelli · 9/10 · 4 December 2020]

I watched this movie because of Julie. She was so adorable in this movie and the guy was good as well. The cupcakes made me hungry but amazing movie

Such a sweet movie!

[ISmellSnow · 9/10 · 25 April 2022]

Great chemistry between Chris and Julie! It was truly a sweet storyline and very well acted. Plus, those cupcakes look delicious! I'd honestly love to see a sequel! Highly recommend this one :)

Good Hallmark Movie

[dpowelldwp · 9/10 · 1 May 2022]

I am a bit surprised by the mixed bag reviews for this movie. Perhaps I enjoy it more than others because I am a professional, I did have a "hometown sweetheart" and I could relate well to the plot.

Anyway, what I especially liked about this movie was the leads being pretty darn mature about how to deal with the situation. I also liked the competing suiter getting some love for once (on a likeability scale) and not being thrown to the wolves.

Yes it is predictable, but this is one of the Hallmark movies that treated the characters with respect, didn't resort to gimmicks and set up the ending scenario beautifully in the first 1:50.

I heart Julie

[mike_b-39451 · 10/10 · 22 May 2022]

Anything with the gorgeous Julie Gonzalo is a winner in my book. Julie is talented and sweet and I will always overlook any plot shortcomings whenever Julie is in a movie or TV show.

Very Uplifting

[timwest-66412 · 10/10 · 6 July 2022]

The Sweetest Heart is a refreshing, uplifting movie! The cast is amazing, the story believable and very positive. Chris McNally is always terrific and he doesn't disappoint as the male lead - he's a natural and warms up the screen with those eyes and smile. If you're looking for a happy, positive movie, The Sweetest Heart is a winner!