Love by Chance

Was not really impressed by the previous 2016 Spring Fling films, 'All Yours' and 'Hearts of Spring' and found both of them mediocre and heavily flawed. Was hoping that 'Love by Chance' would be better, though the premise is one of those that could go either way of charming and fun or unbearably cheesy and irritating. Have liked Benjamin Ayres and Brenda Strong in other things, particularly the best known of the cast Strong, though Beau Garrett has never stood out in what has been seen of her work.

The good news is that despite having the least appealing premise 'Love by Chance' actually turned out to be the best of the three 2016 Spring Fling films mentioned in the review. It does have some good things that makes it watchable as a one time curiosity. The not so good news with 'Love by Chance' is that it is still not particularly good, with it not doing very much to make the premise more appealing. Some films actually do succeed in this aspect, and surprisingly so, but not here.

'Love by Chance's' good things will be mentioned first. Ayres is subtly charismatic and charmingly easy going, it is an understated portrayal as easily the most likeable character in the film but never a going through the motions one. Strong injects a lot of personality and spirit and gives the best performance, had issues with her character but not with Strong. If it looked as if she was overacted, it was to me really because most of everything else was underdone.

It looks nice, especially the scenery, and the music is pleasant enough and doesn't feel too much in tone or placement. There are a few amusing moments.

Garrett however is incredibly bland and charisma deprived as a character that has little personality and got on my nerves, did not like how selfish and ungrateful she was and how the film went overboard on that. Also did find the way Strong's character was written increasingly annoying, finding her too domineering and pushy and there is too much of her. There is no chemistry or spark between Garrett and Ayres and the relationship is underdeveloped and plays second fiddle to the meddling mother part of the plot.

Which is not a well written one at all, it is just too over the top ridiculous and too reliant on forced contrivances and convenient coincidences. Not to mention excessively predictable and too neatly and easily resolved. The dialogue never sounded natural, instead coming over as awkward, and the cheese really got too much. Could connect to very few of the characters, with the exception of Ayres.

Concluding, average but watchable. 5/10.

Claire is a Seattle baker who with her partner is trying to make their business a success. Unfortunately her mom considers herself to be quite the successful matchmaker...but so far she has failed with her daughter Claire. Claire who goes in to cook at 4am, is tired and has been burned by love before.

The partners think that if they could just get a positive review from this famous internet food critic their business would pick up and they could actually buy a new oven...etc.

Claire's mom tries to secretly find Claire a boyfriend and it goes horribly awry, but in the process she does meet a handsome pediatrician...who she talks in to meeting her Claire.

(I wish this was actually filmed in Seattle but as usual besides the stock footage "city skyline" shots, this was definitely filmed somewhere else.)

Confusion abounds is this romance...between our main couple and her parents. I love the faith the husband has in his wife's fidelity and I appreciate them showing such a healthy relationship.

Absolutely wonderful cast...and that is the real reason to watch this Hallmark romance.

"Another 34 years with the love of my life."

I liked every actor on this movie but having the mother be so meddlesome was a huge turn off! The lady is nuts and over the top and didn't let me enjoy the movie 2😭

So concerned caring mom gets involved in daughters life by getting a great guy to meet her . Girl meets guy and likes guy and they date okay BUT the ridiculous daughter who has as much personality as a moldy scone wants fate not arrangement . When said daughter finds out mom had arranged for great guy to meet her she flips her lid and no more relationship because why have a great guy if your mom got involved? This woman is horrible and spoiled and utterly disturbing. The story is similar to the Diane Keaton movie because I said so because of the mom wanting her child to meet someone wonderful .. Keaton was good as the mom in that and Brenda strong was also good as mom but no comparison. I skipped through this one and got rid of it post haste.

As context we're not dealing with the next Golden Globe nominee--it's a Hallmark movie. This is one of the few that I have seen that has bouts of decent writing as in witty dialog in the first half of the film (it seems to wain). The actors are just fine. The female lead does a decent job of the rommy com stuff. Overall the cast is above average. Plot is Hallmark factory issue so nothing surprising but then I think that is one of the points of these things -- predictably cheery with a happy ending. Watchable enough that I finished the whole thing (which I don't always do).