Very Valentine

Great production values and a multilayered uncookiecutter-like plot elevated this Lifetime Movie. This could almost have been a theatre release. Direct to video, granted, but good enough to be in a small indie theatre. Or better yet, a Netflix or Amazon original. I will certainly be tuning in for more in the bestseller to movie series. I loved the lead actress, Kelen Coleman. How refreshing to have an attractive but not pageant-worthy heroine! I didn't care for either of her two love interests too much, but they weren't horrible. And of course, the lovely Jacqueline Bissett. Senior Actresses take note of her natural beauty, untarnished by plastic surgery or botox. She may have wrinkles, but they give her character and strength. I also liked that, as a frequent Hallmark viewer, I thought I knew where this was going. Until I didn't.

Fairly watchable story about a shoe designer. She starts a romance with a chef but while on a trip to Italy she almost finds romance there too. It's interesting to see them make shoes. The scenery is pretty but the lead actress Kelen Coleman and her beaus are not quite appealing enough for a romance movie. Jacqueline Bisset as grandma is nice to watch an actress her age who hasn't done plastic surgery. Her Italian accent is a little hard to swallow.

This is so diverse and showing reversal of everyone's positions with excellent script and acting. I expect this to almost become a classic after discovering bit by accident on AppleTV where I never thought they could only produce junk like their phones. Well I was forced to watch them to see MLS soccer and Lucked across Shrinking and got hooked with binge watching 6 shows!

This seems like Weeds with a soft innocent beginning that gets complicated and without any of the blatant sex. The cast in all cases are amazing seeming so natural in their roles and polished next to super pros like Harrison Ford none seem like first timers. Anxious to see more as it develops.

I read Adriana Trigiani's novel, Very Valentine, when it published ten years ago and thought it would make a fantastic movie. I'm so happy that Lifetime made it their initial Books to Screen production. Kelen Coleman was perfect as Valentine, just as I pictured her in the book. The scenery was gorgeous, the family story wonderful, and I loved that it honored the passion that people have for their creative work. Jacqueline Bissett was a delight as Teodora, and how great it was to see a mature love story portrayed. I hope they make the other two books in the Valentine series into movies too.