‘SWEETER THAN CHOCOLATE’: A ROMANCE WITH MAGIC IN REALISM
One of the films from a previous Valentine campaign on Hallmark, Sweeter Than Chocolate is indeed sweet.
Sweeter Than Chocolate (2023) Hallmark TV Film Review
Staying behind the scenes while working at her family’s artisan chocolate shop is something that suits Lucy Sweet (Eloise Mumford) just fine. She doesn’t want the spotlight or to be recognized for anything, but when her best friend becomes engaged, her happiness translates to causing the small business to go social media viral. The reason for this is because the shop carries a special Cupid’s truffle with a legend attached; anyone who eats one is destined to find their true love.
Tasked to cover a feel-good story for Valentine’s Day, Dean Chase (Dan Jeannotte) decides to take a closer look at the shop. What he doesn’t realize is that his opinion on the chocolate is shared with Lucy. As they work together to tell this story, the pair have different opinions on the “magic” of this chocolate, but they both discover something unexpected.
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‘SWEETER THAN CHOCOLATE’: A ROMANCE WITH MAGIC IN REALISM 🍫 Eloise Mumford stars in this 2023 #Hallmark romance all about #ValentinesDay! Share on X
Cute, as is always the reaction for this sort of film, is the sum up term for Sweeter Than Chocolate. It has a recognizable cast and familiar faces taking on the lead roles. The bugaboo pet peeve I do have with this one is the end. Sure it will tick all the right boxes, but the film plays into an awkward conclusion that just isn’t my cup of tea. Sometimes awkward works, but I think the “all the world is a stage” end never quite works in my book. Regardless, the film is still perfectly sweet.
I really liked Eloise Mumford in the Christmas drama Christmas with Holly, but I don’t think I’ve seen her in any role quite as good as it. Still, I’ve enjoyed other of her films, too. This film has a sense of magical realism, which is fun, but also for anyone who finds “magic” annoying, that isn’t the ultimate messaging which is part of the reason why a synopsis or a way something “appears” isn’t always a fair way to judge what you’ll find. If there’s one thing this film does, I think it’s prove that a “first impression” isn’t always the right one.
All this to say, if you like this network, then this is another title that will delight if you make the time for it.
Stream, at publication, Sweeter Than Chocolate on Hallmark+
Photos: Hallmark Media
Content: this one is pretty standard, but among the many interview couple, there are (if this is a thing that bothers you) two same-sex couples; Lucy has dinner with one couple, there is one same-sex couple who share a kiss. The film rates TV-G.
