‘The Memory Book’: Two Love Stories Collide

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This telefilm snagged my attention for two reasons. First, it was a part of a favorite networks 2014 lineup and secondly, it features a familiar face; a Once Upon a Time alum. When I had the chance to see The Memory Book, I didn’t hesitate – in fact, I made time to see it. 

The Memory Book (2014) Hallmark TV Film Review

Life for Chloe Sullivan (Meghan Ory) is safe. She isn’t the kind of girl who buys into forever love. Instead of finding joy in people, Chloe views the world more bleakly through the lens of her camera. There she captures stone structures rather than happy expressions. But all of this is before she meets Gabe (Luke Macfarlane). A lawyer-turned-bartender-turned-wannabe-chef, Gabe is the kind of guy lives life – and not just safely, but actually takes chances. When Chloe finds an old scrapbook full of the kind of memories she cannot imagine, her journey to find the owners puts her again in the path of Gabe. Much to her annoyance, somehow he’s the one guy who does manage to make an impact on her…

Every once in a while a TV film comes along that separates itself from the rest of the pack and for me this is The Memory Book. Sure, it’s still a happy-go-lucky “cute” dish of happy circumstances, but it’s a Saturday-night-staying-in kind of flick that “has style.” On occasion (rare though it is), the conviction with which Chloe searches for the memory book owners does come off as a bit off-putting. Not because it isn’t admirable or because it doesn’t make for a charming story, more because knowing who she is, we wonder why she has to piece the riddle together in order to justify what the outcome of her life may be. Aside from this minor complaint, I really cannot think of anything else. The writing is snappy, but oh my, the leading couple…!  

From the moment we see their “meet cute,” the silly grinning came easily, and I knew this was going to be my kind of movie. The banter between these two is darling. Or maybe it’s just the “natural” ebb and flow of their dialogue or could it be that for once both leading roles were filled to perfection? I don’t know what the secret ingredient is, honestly. Whatever, it’ a ton of fun to experience and something that is hard not to get caught up in because of it. Beyond this, there is a nice story running parallel to Chloe and Gabe’s that works nicely with the “bigger picture.”  

The acting is good as I have already alluded to in my earlier gushing and there are a couple of veteran superstars that will pop up. Filming isn’t half bad and whatever is said (as regards her character), I liked Chloe’s work. Seeing her views of life through the lens was a cool, artistic addition that works seamlessly into the plot. If you like Nicholas Sparks-esque stories (albeit ones that take a lighter approach to romance) or movie’s that have a “complete package” kind of ending, be sure to make time for this. It’s easily one of my favorite dramedies of this year.  

Feature Photo Credit: Copyright 2014 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: David Owen Strongman

If you watched this, I’d love to hear your thoughts. The comment section is yours. 

‘The Memory Book’: Two Love Stories Collide. A review of the 2014 dramedy with Meghan Ory (#OnceUponaTime). @HallmarkChannel #ReviewArchives #Movies #Throwback #Hallmarkies #Oncers Share on X

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