‘WELCOME TO VALENTINE’: A HALLMARK WITH A FEUDING WOULD-BE COUPLE
Part of their 2023 lineup, Welcome to Valentine is more of a “proper” winter romance featuring some new (Hallmark) faces, and a fun plot. Let’s visit Nebraska in Welcome to Valentine.
Welcome to Valentine (2023) Hallmark TV Film Review
Trying to make it in the big city is all Olivia (Kathryn Davis) is working towards. She’s an artist who wants her art to have a fair shot, even if that means walking up to some of the biggest names in art and trying to pitch her work. This goes horribly wrong when Olivia’s bold move, while working a cocktail party, is sabotaged by George (Markian Tarasiuk), the well-meaning but uptight cousin of Olivia’s roomie. This not only gets Olivia fired, but on the heels of this, she must also move out of the apartment she shares with her roommate since Tess plans to move to Chicago for a job. This leaves Olivia adrift until George makes plans to road trip back to LA, where Valentine, Olivia’s hometown, happens to be a stop along the way.
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Welcome to Valentine is one of those Hallmark movies that I think isn’t likely universally loved. I don’t see it discussed or one that people seem to share much. It’s different, just not in a dynamic kind of way. I did actually like the film. The thing most won’t care for is the “fighting” between the would be couple. That seems to be something that will down the rating for almost anyone.
Despite this, I think the film is cute. I love seeing Markian in something again (he was in Christmas at the Golden Dragon, one of my 2022 favorite) and Kathryn Davis, while no stranger to the TV rom-com, isn’t familiar to Hallmark. She is also good and anytime I get to see someone new, I consider it a win because it helps give the film an edge; I don’t know what to expect from the character when they’re a new actor. Also I forgot that I’d seen Markian in something, though he did look familiar.
In other pros, I like how fitting this is for the campaign it was a part of (Loveuary) and that it’s winter-y. It features some good connections, and also has some Sweet Home Alabama feels, though still fumbles by playing into the common tropes. Nonetheless, the movie is a good time and I thoroughly enjoy how it all comes together.
Photos: Hallmark Media / Crown Media
Content: there’s nothing to note in Welcome to Valentine outside of the “normal” TV-G rating. There’s kissing and some misunderstandings.
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