‘VALENTINE EVER AFTER’: A GUEST RANCH + BEST FRIENDS + ROMANCE
If you were to ignore the word ‘Valentine’ in this film, you’d be sure to discover a sweet romantic comedy that’s perfect no matter the season or holiday.
Valentine Ever After (2016) Hallmark Review
The day she said “Yes!” to the most important question a girl is ever asked should be Julia’s best day. Instead the down-to-earth lawyer makes plans that take her away from her fiancé. Pulling along her high maintenance (albeit totally lovely) best friend, Julia (Autumn Reeser) heads off for a girls weekend at a ski resort.
Unfortunately for Julia and Sydney, their car breaks down, which leaves them stranded. When a night out at the local bar ends in disaster, they’re sentenced to community service in the small town. In the aftermath, they find they must stay at a local rancher’s home to complete their hours. Ben (Eric Johnson) and Julia share a connection, but Julia’s commitment to her fiancé keeps her from acting on this. The longer Julia stays in this countryside paradise, the less unsettled she feels… and then she learns Ben’s legacy is in danger.
When Valentine Ever After came to DVD, I picked up a copy, and then didn’t watch it for weeks. Finally, on a Saturday night, my mom and I dusted it off and popped it into the BluRay player. As usual, its story is a wholesome romance sure to warm your heart.
What impressed both of us (and especially my mother) is the script. It has a really emotional component to that peels back layers. This isn’t just “surface” mediocre or “sweet” sentiments. Julia’s character is actually really interesting, not to mention a heroine who protects, and maintains what’s “right” and moral before she pursues anything new. This allows us to appreciate and respect her all the more.
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Autumn Reeser (I Do, I Do, I Do, Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade, A Country Wedding) is familiar in these Hallmark originals, and she again gives personality to another memorable character. Though I’ve not seen Johnson in anything, I liked his charming cowboy character, which the actor plays to the advantage of his character, which makes us like him all the more. Everyone in the cast is great, and because of this, the story has a natural, genuine flow.
Despite the cut out hearts and abundance of pink that dots the cover art, don’t let the Valentine’s Day setting deter you from watching Valentine Ever After. Though emotional in many ways (one scene in particular is impressively written), this remains a sweet, easy-to-enjoy romance that anyone who likes these kinds of movies shouldn’t miss!
Photos: Hallmark Media
This is one of my favorites. But I say that about a lot of Autumn Reeser’s movies.
Autumn’s films are always among my favorites, too. In fact, now I really want to re-watch it after posting this. :)