First of all, this movie was really filmed in Bruges, and the city is gorgeous. Second, Lacey Chabert is always a treat to watch.
The story is the usual Hallmark script, but at least Lacey isn't marrying a Royal.
And why isn't Brittany Bristow starring in her own movies? She's electric and charismatic and gorgeous. Her accent in this movie is atrocious, but aside from that she's the best.
43 Reviews
Love, Romance & Chocolate
studioAT18 March 2021
Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp are two of my favourite Hallmark regulars, so it was lovely to see them teamed here.
I thought this was a great Hallmark, with a lovely story being told, and two good performances from the leads. Chabert is always warm and charming, with I enjoy Kemp's dry delivery.
I was a bit sceptical about the premise initially, but it won me over, proving very enjoyable.
I thought this was a great Hallmark, with a lovely story being told, and two good performances from the leads. Chabert is always warm and charming, with I enjoy Kemp's dry delivery.
I was a bit sceptical about the premise initially, but it won me over, proving very enjoyable.
Emma bakes cupcakes and falls in love over chocolates in Bruges
cgvsluis6 April 2022
This was one of the better romances that I have seen on Hallmark. In this film Lacy Chabert plays Emma, a magazine food stylist who dabbles in making interesting tasting flavor combo cupcakes. She and her boyfriend plan a trip to Bruges, Belgium and at the last minute he breaks up with her. Emma decides to still go as Brussels is where her grandparents met and fell in love. She has a beautiful valentine heart filled with their love letters and a photo of her grandparents at the Royal palace.
When she arrives she is unable to go to the Royal palace as it is closed to visitors due to it being prepared for the Royal wedding. As luck would have it she meets Luc a chocolatier who is entered in the competition to become the Royal chocolatier. Luc needs help and the two strike up a deal, Emma helps him while his pregnant partner has bed rest and he takes her with him to the Royal palace.
These two are so compatible it really made this movie a joy to watch...the scenery in Bruges was gorgeous, the chocolates sounded amazing and I really appreciated them trying to fit in a little bit of Dutch (een beetje Nederlands).
I highly recommend this subtle but sweet romance.
When she arrives she is unable to go to the Royal palace as it is closed to visitors due to it being prepared for the Royal wedding. As luck would have it she meets Luc a chocolatier who is entered in the competition to become the Royal chocolatier. Luc needs help and the two strike up a deal, Emma helps him while his pregnant partner has bed rest and he takes her with him to the Royal palace.
These two are so compatible it really made this movie a joy to watch...the scenery in Bruges was gorgeous, the chocolates sounded amazing and I really appreciated them trying to fit in a little bit of Dutch (een beetje Nederlands).
I highly recommend this subtle but sweet romance.
Definitely One of the Good TV Romance Movies!
tiffanytallent19818 July 2021
Anyone who watches Hallmark romance movies knows that Lacey Chabert is usually perfect in every role. This one is no exception! She is charming as Emma and the male actor does a decent job as Luc, as well. Sometimes he is a bit stiff and reserved, but it was part of the character's personality. If you're not naturally a certain way, it's probably hard to pretend to be. He was definitely believable as a by the books, take no chances kind of guy. And while Luc worked with Emma to create the perfect chocolate, he loosened up and became open to new ideas.
The romance of it was more natural than other movies and they had pretty good chemistry, especially during the last third. There were a couple misunderstandings, just like other tv romances. And there was a lack of communication or being brave enough to just say what they felt. Again, Just like almost every tv romance. But I do like how Emma and Luc resolved them problems without much incident. This is definitely one of my new favorites and I'm sure I'll watch it again.
The romance of it was more natural than other movies and they had pretty good chemistry, especially during the last third. There were a couple misunderstandings, just like other tv romances. And there was a lack of communication or being brave enough to just say what they felt. Again, Just like almost every tv romance. But I do like how Emma and Luc resolved them problems without much incident. This is definitely one of my new favorites and I'm sure I'll watch it again.
On location in Europe!
phd_travel21 March 2019
An on location shoot in Europe helps to elevate this Hallmark romance above the average. Bruges is overpriced and beautiful and this movie captures it. A silly chocolate theme is the plot.
Will Kemp and Lace Chabert are well paired.
Will Kemp and Lace Chabert are well paired.
Lacey Chabert and Chocolate...two of my favorites!
darrylgonzalezdg21 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
First of all, is this a standard Hallmark film? Yes. So what? It's set in a beautiful city, and who doesn't like chocolate? The plot is not terrible, and miL really started rooting for Lacey's character and the chocolatier to fall in love and win the competition early on.
I've always LOVED Lacey Chabert ever since "Lost in Space). She makes the character believable and has grown up into a gorgeous young woman. I can't wait to see what she brings us next.
I've always LOVED Lacey Chabert ever since "Lost in Space). She makes the character believable and has grown up into a gorgeous young woman. I can't wait to see what she brings us next.
Love the location
juanitajhi13 February 2021
Chabert in Bruges
SnoopyStyle9 October 2019
Emma Colvin (Lacey Chabert) breaks up with her boyfriend who is moving away for his job. She goes to Bruges by herself for a chocolatier vacation. She finds new inspiration and new love in Luc Simon (Will Kemp). Luc's chocolate shop is in financial trouble but he has great hopes for his chances at the Belgium's Royal Chocolatier. He reluctantly accepts help from the American who has different ideas about chocolate.
The meet-cute is paramount in a romance. This one has some good potential but one needs to know the language. That's where funny subtitles would be really effective. The location is basically stuck in a shop with no customers. As for the exterior shots, the Belgium locations should be better. The camera work doesn't do the place justice. It's not just about the locations. It needs an imaginative vision to bring out the exotic Europe. It does have a boat ride montage but that's really the pinnacle. It helps to be a nighttime ride. This Hallmark romance relies heavily on the bubbly Chabert and she is exactly that. I like the triangle although the opposition should be more villainous throughout the movie. This is a fine standard Hallmark romance.
The meet-cute is paramount in a romance. This one has some good potential but one needs to know the language. That's where funny subtitles would be really effective. The location is basically stuck in a shop with no customers. As for the exterior shots, the Belgium locations should be better. The camera work doesn't do the place justice. It's not just about the locations. It needs an imaginative vision to bring out the exotic Europe. It does have a boat ride montage but that's really the pinnacle. It helps to be a nighttime ride. This Hallmark romance relies heavily on the bubbly Chabert and she is exactly that. I like the triangle although the opposition should be more villainous throughout the movie. This is a fine standard Hallmark romance.
Lovely scenery, great acting, and nice story
blisskissholly3 April 2020
The movie really shows you beautiful streets and waterways of Bruges. I liked the character development and how it was very easy to like the characters and ship them. The hotel Emma is staying at has a very nice and fun woman(25-35 years old) running it, and I'm glad she had a good amount of screen time. All in all, feel-good movie without being boring. This movie deserves better than a 6.8 rating
Romance in Bruges
TheLittleSongbird21 April 2022
There were three big reasons to see 'Love, Romance and Chocolate'. One is that it was part of my Hallmark film completest quest started with their Christmas output in 2019, which expanded with their other seasonal films just recently. Two is the city of Bruges, which is absolutely beautiful as a place and more films should be filmed there. Three is that Lacey Chabert has always been watchable, even if she tends to be typecast she does it very charmingly more often than not. She is a Hallmark regular for good reason.
'Love, Romance and Chocolate' is not my definition of a great film, but after being underwhelmed by the previous Countdown to Valentine's Day film 'The Story of Us' this was an improvement. New territory it is not and one knows exactly what to expect, but it is fun, cute and charming and Bruges and Chabert don't disappoint. While not great, 'Love, Romance and Chocolate' is worth watching and is one of the better faring 2019 Countdown to Valentine's Day films.
Sure it is a long way from perfect. The story is full of familiar Hallmark tropes which makes it lacking in freshness, so to me momentum was lost towards the end and the conflict is forced. Will agree that the transitions were not always smooth, tending to be jumpy, and that the ending was too unrealistically neat.
Also thought that Will Kemp had times where he was too reserved and his and Chabert's chemistry took time to get off the ground.
Chabert however is a bubbly charmer and luckily her chemistry with Kemp does grow and is genuine and sweet. He also gets better and more animated when his character relaxes. Do agree that Brittany Bristow's accent is not good at all to put it lightly, but she does bring a lot of energy and vim to the film. The whole cast do well. Bruges is absolutely stunning and is like its own character, it is filmed in a picturesque way too. Wouldn't have said no though to more exploration of the culture and having less of a travelogue feel.
Furthermore, the script flows quite well and is light-hearted and smile-worthy, its sweetness too not being too saccharine. The story has a very warm heart and the romantic element when it grows is charming. It's all enough to make me book a trip to Bruges and also to crave chocolate, as somebody who's on a diet at the moment that was not the best thing to crave about.
In summary, likeable enough even if it didn't wow me. 6/10.
'Love, Romance and Chocolate' is not my definition of a great film, but after being underwhelmed by the previous Countdown to Valentine's Day film 'The Story of Us' this was an improvement. New territory it is not and one knows exactly what to expect, but it is fun, cute and charming and Bruges and Chabert don't disappoint. While not great, 'Love, Romance and Chocolate' is worth watching and is one of the better faring 2019 Countdown to Valentine's Day films.
Sure it is a long way from perfect. The story is full of familiar Hallmark tropes which makes it lacking in freshness, so to me momentum was lost towards the end and the conflict is forced. Will agree that the transitions were not always smooth, tending to be jumpy, and that the ending was too unrealistically neat.
Also thought that Will Kemp had times where he was too reserved and his and Chabert's chemistry took time to get off the ground.
Chabert however is a bubbly charmer and luckily her chemistry with Kemp does grow and is genuine and sweet. He also gets better and more animated when his character relaxes. Do agree that Brittany Bristow's accent is not good at all to put it lightly, but she does bring a lot of energy and vim to the film. The whole cast do well. Bruges is absolutely stunning and is like its own character, it is filmed in a picturesque way too. Wouldn't have said no though to more exploration of the culture and having less of a travelogue feel.
Furthermore, the script flows quite well and is light-hearted and smile-worthy, its sweetness too not being too saccharine. The story has a very warm heart and the romantic element when it grows is charming. It's all enough to make me book a trip to Bruges and also to crave chocolate, as somebody who's on a diet at the moment that was not the best thing to crave about.
In summary, likeable enough even if it didn't wow me. 6/10.
enjoyed the actors, scenery and sweet stories
novagirl1124 February 2019
I enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Belgium in the background. I loved to see Will Kemp again after watching him in Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce and Step Up 2: The Streets! I thought the tidbits about her grandparents' story was very sweet. And of course, it's all about chocolate!
Finally a genuine chemistry
shanulah19 August 2019
Brugetiful
priti9428 August 2019
I just got back from Bruges, so this was a lovely movie to watch to reminisce on my time there (side note, there were no handsome men sweeping me off my feet unfortunately). Irrespective, it's such a beautiful city and the chocolate really is yummy, I think the movie did its best trying to show it! However, no waffles?
There's a bit of a McDreamy and McSteamy love triangle going on (for all the Grey's Anatomy fan's), if you know, you know.
Extremely cheesy movie even though it was about chocolate, but that's Hallmark for you, don't expect anything less!
There's a bit of a McDreamy and McSteamy love triangle going on (for all the Grey's Anatomy fan's), if you know, you know.
Extremely cheesy movie even though it was about chocolate, but that's Hallmark for you, don't expect anything less!
Clumsy
Jackbv1239 March 2019
The scenes in Bruge were, of course, beautiful. (Unfortunate circumstances for me personally kept me from visiting there even though I drove right past it going from Amsterdam to Brussels.)
Except for the accent, Brittany Bristow was a bright spot. I grew suspicious of all the accents.
But the story was clumsy. I know that all Hallmark movies defy any realism, but the premise was just a little too much. A tourist recovering from heartbreak decides to work for an experienced chocalateer after ruthlessly criticizing his work. A busy innkeeper practically attaches herself to same tourist. And the endings are always too good to be true. But that wasn't the only problem. Transitions didn't seem smooth. Several cliche tropes lacked sincerity. Things in the story just seemed off.
But when it comes down to it, most of these movies win me or lose me by the relationship between the leads. I didn't feel like Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp connected. Both seemed a little too reserved, like a smile that doesn't reach the eyes. Were they coasting?
Except for the accent, Brittany Bristow was a bright spot. I grew suspicious of all the accents.
But the story was clumsy. I know that all Hallmark movies defy any realism, but the premise was just a little too much. A tourist recovering from heartbreak decides to work for an experienced chocalateer after ruthlessly criticizing his work. A busy innkeeper practically attaches herself to same tourist. And the endings are always too good to be true. But that wasn't the only problem. Transitions didn't seem smooth. Several cliche tropes lacked sincerity. Things in the story just seemed off.
But when it comes down to it, most of these movies win me or lose me by the relationship between the leads. I didn't feel like Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp connected. Both seemed a little too reserved, like a smile that doesn't reach the eyes. Were they coasting?
Lack of Chemistry
brenz-6443531 May 2019
It was a good movie, great location, great story, and loved the leading actress...but.... she had more chemistry with the supporting actor than the lead actor who she ended up with. I was actually rooting for the other guy (supporting actor).
sweet
Kirpianuscus31 December 2023
Bruges and chocolate. And a contest, the verdict being offeret by royal couple.
Not far by familiar recipe but nice at whole for the fair - honest acting of Lcey Chabert and Will Kemp, for the drops of old fashion romance, for the prepair of chocolate, for the rivalry between Max and Luc, for fake tension and for the not so honest solution to win.
But it is the genre of film offering exactly what you expect. This is a sin and a virtue, in the same measure. So, not so easy to be very critic and Love, Romance and Chocolate deserves, off course , not applauses but a smile for Bruges, the cake and the chocolate .
So, for some reasons, easy to discover after you see it, a sweet film.
Not far by familiar recipe but nice at whole for the fair - honest acting of Lcey Chabert and Will Kemp, for the drops of old fashion romance, for the prepair of chocolate, for the rivalry between Max and Luc, for fake tension and for the not so honest solution to win.
But it is the genre of film offering exactly what you expect. This is a sin and a virtue, in the same measure. So, not so easy to be very critic and Love, Romance and Chocolate deserves, off course , not applauses but a smile for Bruges, the cake and the chocolate .
So, for some reasons, easy to discover after you see it, a sweet film.
Beautful Scenes, Unsatisfying Ending
StarryEyedGreen25 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is better than the usual bland and slow moving year long Hallmark movies (I love their Christmas season ones). It had wonderful scenes of cobblestone roads, small town shops, old world architecture, and riding on boats moving under the bride, like in gondolas in Venice, Italy, and making chocolate.
I would rate it higher if Lacey Chabert's character had not chosen to be with the wrong man, who I thought had lukewarm feelings for her at best and who had a strangely and inappropriately close relationship with a family member, whom he prematurely left Lacey Chabert's character at an important event for.
I would rate it higher if Lacey Chabert's character had not chosen to be with the wrong man, who I thought had lukewarm feelings for her at best and who had a strangely and inappropriately close relationship with a family member, whom he prematurely left Lacey Chabert's character at an important event for.
Makes Me Want To Go To Bruges...
rightingwrong15 April 2020
All About Bruges
kpassa1 December 2021
6 stars for the scenery, 1 star for the plot and acting. It would have received a higher rating if they had shown more of Bruges but most scenes were shot in the same places at different times of the day. If it wasn't for the scenery we wouldn't have wasted 5 minutes on this drivel.
Cute movie
dianamarinelli9 March 2021
I actually enjoyed this film
lisafordeay19 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Love Romance and Chocolate is a Hallmark romantic film starring Mean Girls Lacey Chabert and Royal Matchmaker Will Kemp and tells the story of a young woman named Emma who is just dumped by her boyfriend and decides to go off to Belgium herself. She later meets a handsome man named Luc and they both are chocoliters.
Will romance blossom between the two? I actually stumbled on this film by accident as I thought from the movie poster that Hugh Jackman was in it as Will reminds me of him in this film. Lacey Chabert reminds me of Meghan Markle who I thought was in this film also so in a way I'm glad I watched it.
6/10
Predictable throughout as I knew the two charcthers would end up being together and working together in the end of the movie .
Will romance blossom between the two? I actually stumbled on this film by accident as I thought from the movie poster that Hugh Jackman was in it as Will reminds me of him in this film. Lacey Chabert reminds me of Meghan Markle who I thought was in this film also so in a way I'm glad I watched it.
6/10
Predictable throughout as I knew the two charcthers would end up being together and working together in the end of the movie .
Typical Hallmark Fare
queenofcrops3 April 2019
Bruges looks so beautiful
kathytexan-1258528 January 2020
I gave the movie 8 stars because they did a great job capturing Bruges on film. How beautiful. I'd love to go there after watching this movie. The story featured a chocolate competition which added to the dramatic tension...but Will was so dour and overly serious. He looked handsome but not much fun. The scene when the prince and princess told how they met was so charming. The script could've used the same touch in scenes with Will and Lacey.
Not terrible, but close
jds01-803-9059719 February 2019
Sweet, but overall disappointing.
savethewatchmaker13 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I had high expectations of this movie after seeing someone laud its location in a different movie review, but those high expectations fell a bit short in the end. The movie was classic Hallmark, but also nothing special beyond that.
A lot of the other reviewers were charmed with Bruges, which is, of course, a stunning city, but I actually think the movie could've done more for it. The leads walk around the city a bit (usually to find "inspiration" for a flavor for the chocolate competition the movie is ceneterd around, which is already a very contrived way to push the characters into spending time together outside of the chocolate shop), but Bruges is much more beautiful than the shots we were granted makes it out to be.
Meanwhile, Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp were lukewarm as the leads, and rather lukewarm as a couple. Lacey Chabert has a longstanding relationship with Hallmark that makes her a pleasantly familiar face whenever she's in one of their movies, but she seems to be doomed to always play the exact same character. It's long overdue that she shows us something different, although this could also easily be attributed to bland scripts. Her chemistry with the male lead was lacking, and the conflict in their relationship near the end was much too forced. Will Kemp sees her having an innocent conversation with his chocolatier rival and immediately jumps to the conclusion that she isn't interested in him and gives up all attempts at communication until the very end of the movie. This is as frustrating as it is lazy in the storytelling deparmtent.
A few other little things also disrupted the flow of the movie, such as: the innkeeper always having time for Lacey Chabert, despite running a humongous hotel almost single-handedly (we get a brief shot of only one other employee mid-way through the movie), or the fact that we see the leads brainstorming ideas for chocolate flavors much more than we actually see them in the kitchen trying out different combinations. Overall, the movie needed to step away from its tried-and-true (and tired) tropes in order to stand out, and maybe also work on the richness of the chemistry between the couple.
A lot of the other reviewers were charmed with Bruges, which is, of course, a stunning city, but I actually think the movie could've done more for it. The leads walk around the city a bit (usually to find "inspiration" for a flavor for the chocolate competition the movie is ceneterd around, which is already a very contrived way to push the characters into spending time together outside of the chocolate shop), but Bruges is much more beautiful than the shots we were granted makes it out to be.
Meanwhile, Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp were lukewarm as the leads, and rather lukewarm as a couple. Lacey Chabert has a longstanding relationship with Hallmark that makes her a pleasantly familiar face whenever she's in one of their movies, but she seems to be doomed to always play the exact same character. It's long overdue that she shows us something different, although this could also easily be attributed to bland scripts. Her chemistry with the male lead was lacking, and the conflict in their relationship near the end was much too forced. Will Kemp sees her having an innocent conversation with his chocolatier rival and immediately jumps to the conclusion that she isn't interested in him and gives up all attempts at communication until the very end of the movie. This is as frustrating as it is lazy in the storytelling deparmtent.
A few other little things also disrupted the flow of the movie, such as: the innkeeper always having time for Lacey Chabert, despite running a humongous hotel almost single-handedly (we get a brief shot of only one other employee mid-way through the movie), or the fact that we see the leads brainstorming ideas for chocolate flavors much more than we actually see them in the kitchen trying out different combinations. Overall, the movie needed to step away from its tried-and-true (and tired) tropes in order to stand out, and maybe also work on the richness of the chemistry between the couple.
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