Hallmark knows pretty well how to satisfy its audience. I would love to see movies like these coming regularly. The characters were so sweet and humble. Everything was so well put. And the chosen landscapes were just amazing. It was a pleasure watching this & it was worth the time.
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mihai_alexandru_chindris8 April 2018
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k-6387823 January 2023The main couple are a snooze fest and Wayne is a total jerk who's really hard to root for, he's spiteful and bitter and petty - a complete JERK! Why does he behave like this?! No idea, but I got pretty sick of him telling Loretta how she should behave and express his disappointment that she wasn't the girl HE wanted her to be. Gross. Gross. GROSS! He's small too, trying to force Loretta back into the little box he's happy staying in.
The B couple of the sweet lawyer trying to impress his father in law to be was much more endearing. The father he was trying to impress was similar to Wayne in thinking "I'm a rugged outdoorsman, that makes me the MAN in the room and I don't respect anyone who doesn't conform to that!" Also a total JERK! How about both of these lads take a running jump and attempt to get over themselves?! I would have liked a whole movie about the the lawyer trying to impress a man who's too arrogant and overbearing and Paul teaching that man learning that his way of doing things isn't the be all and end all, challenge he antiquated masculine values. "Paul's not the type of guy I pictured marrying my daughter" says Arthur - well good job she's a grown person capable of making her own decisions and she LOVES PAUL, so it really doesn't matter what you think.
UGHHHHHHHH - why do women like Loretta have to shrink themselves down and change themselves to become the person their small minded, arrogant men want them to be?!??!?? -
moselexi16 February 2024I'm not really a fan of hallmark channel but for me this film it's quite fascinate me by bringing up something new and fresh i know the script it's like another typical hallmark romance movie and the acting wasn't really that great and seems boring but can we just appreciate that hallmark for trying to added some new formula to the film? Plus i like the chemistry between steve mcqueen and poppy drayton in this movie it's just so natural and felt like a real couple what a shame that they're not.
If i can give my opinion try to change the script a little bit by adding some drama into the film instead just flat romance till the end. -
faridtahery26 January 2021When a writer lacks the skills to create a plausible plot, or is simply too lazy, they'd have to force the otherwise smart characters do the dumbest things just to create a plot or add a twist to it. Totally unconvincing.
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ffxaxrx31 March 2019A very boring premise of girl working for an event planner who works behind her boss's back. She commits a dangerous unsafe act of sticking a metal knife into the blower to restart it. Who in their right mind would do that?! Hallmark has a small rep of having unsafe acts being committed on film. Now, the movie is very formulaic about a girl who goes back home and runs into a cynical ex-boyfriend. They somehow could not make it work so they went their separate ways until now. She recruits/bribes him into with her. He "hates" and fights like a whiny brat until he falls in love again. A bore.
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toncincin5 April 2018I enjoyed this one. Loved that the leads were not the regular Hallmark actors. These two - Poppy Drayton and Steven R. McQueen - were very refreshing. Their relationship was also age appropriate. Keep more of these coming Hallmark!
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alawrence-268741 April 2018I liked the actors but didn't like the lie that threads throughout the movie. The Howard character almost ruins the movie. The ending was nice though.
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SnoopyStyle14 September 2020Loretta Johnson (Poppy Drayton) is a junior event planner in L.A. When her boss Amy gets sick, she takes over a kiddie party. Paul and Michelle are very impressed with her but they assume her to be her boss 00Amy. Paul needs to impress Michelle's billionaire outdoorsman Arthur before he could ask for her hand. The only problem is that Paul is a clueless outdoors. They need her to teach him and plan an outdoors retreat in the woods. Now Loretta has to pretend to be her boss without telling her and set up the retreat back in her rural hometown. She hires her estranged ex Wayne (Steven R. McQueen) to help.
I don't really understand why she couldn't tell Amy or quite frankly tell the couple. It doesn't make sense because eventually, everyone has to be told. The premise is a manufactured sitcom misunderstanding and it rings hollow. Most of that can be overlooked. Poppy Drayton is a pretty girl and she seems sweet if a little bit on edge. On the other hand, Wayne is a jerk and he is harder to root for. I think he tries to live up to his Steve McQueen name way too hard. The original had the swagger but his great personality allows everyone to love him. This kid is missing that and his character doesn't help. On top of that, this is not much of a backwoods retreat. The movie's saving grace is Poppy and she has the charisma to lead this. That is often enough for a Hallmark romance. -
The story-line is awful and so is Wayne. Does he think he is helping or is he being a jerk on purpose? There is no continuity because the characters say one thing and do another. The acting is poor, but likely due to the writing and tone.
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Loretta (Poppy Drayton) is from a small city in Louisiana, where she now works as an event planner for a lovely country hotel. Despite the place being very beautiful, there are not a great many events to plan in the area. In addition, Loretta longs for a chance to see the world and work in a large city, arranging hoity toity affairs. Therefore, in spite of a longtime boyfriend, Wayne (Steven R. McQueen), Lori makes the decision to move to LA and work with well-known planner, Amy. Wayne is miffed and semi-heartbroken. Fast forwarding two years, Loretta has risen the ranks but when her boss stiffs her for a promotion, she is hurt. By chance, an attorney crosses paths with Lori and, pretending to be her boss, Lori takes the requested job to pair the lawyer with his future pa-in-law in a rustic setting. This is because the older man likes the outdoors and won't give his blessing to his daughter marrying a sissy! What place could be better than Lori's town in Louisiana, where there is fishing, hiking, and bird-watching? That's right, Loretta takes the odd pair there. But, of course, Wayne has to pretend her name is Amy and is not very happy his ex is lying, even if its a white lie. Plus, does Loretta have any feelings for Wayne anymore? Does Wayne still have eyes for Loretta? Will the lawyer gain admiration from his grouchy future relative? This is a sweet and saucy romance from, what else, Hallmark company. It's terrific with spectacular scenery, nice scripting, and fine direction. Spring into action, fans, and bring this home.
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TheLittleSongbird8 December 2021'Home by Spring' didn't leave me all that excited, with a premise that didn't really grab me and from hearing from word of mouth that it wasn't good. Still saw it anyway as a Hallmark completest, as someone who was very pleasantly surprised by the previous 2018 Spring Fever Hallmark films and because there have been films of all decades and genres that do not sound appealing on paper but turned out to be so much better than expected (was really hoping it would be the same here), so there was some hope.
Any amount of potential 'Home by Spring' had is completely squandered in a film that is mediocre at best and at times even incredibly weak. It has its moments and good things, but there are far too many debits and the worst of them are actually pretty terrible in execution. Of all the 2018 Spring Fever Hallmark films, 'Home by Spring' is a strong contender for the weakest and a major drop in quality from the previous two Spring Fever films that year.
The good things will be started off first. Poppy Drayton is very appealing as Loretta and is by far the best thing about the film, it may take a little time to feel much for her character but her character at least rings true and Drayton brings a good deal of charm to her. The supporting cast do competently with what they have, which is weak.
It looks good, Hallmark nearly always delivered when it came to the scenery and it delivers in this aspect here too. The photography complements it nicely. The music is pleasant enough.
Steven R. McQueen however for me was awful, his character is an arrogant hypocritical jerk, and pretty much stays that way (or at least feels it), and McQueen comes over as very stiff and smug, sometimes even unintentionally creepy. Other than Loretta, the only character the film tries to develop, the characters are not worth rooting or interesting and one of the film's most unrealistic elements was what Lorretta saw in Wayne (the attraction is completely lost on me). They have no chemistry together and don't seem connected.
McQueen, the uninvestable characters and the bad chemistry are not the only bad things. The dialogue is really stilted and has a lot of pongy cheese and sickly sweet schmaltz, also found it pretty bland. The story is similarly bland and has no charm or heart, it takes itself too seriously (especially with the character writing for Wayne) and is very pedestrian in pace. Not to mention that it is very predictable from doing nothing new with a formula that was tried and tested well before 'Home by Spring' was made. The direction lacks any kind of distinction.
Overall, mediocre with a few quite good elements (Drayton), a lot of bad and a couple of terrible. 4/10. -
villichkata20038 February 2019It is the first movie I give such a bad rating, even writing a review. I watch all Hallmark movies, but this one is just not worth it, at all.
There are many scenes in the movie where things seem to be just put there, not thought through when written or edited - going hiking with a leather jacket? A billionaire putting up with all that circus.
The plot itself is inadequate, and the main actors are not very convincing in living their characters' roles. Loretta, Wayne.. they don't seem to be right for this script (not sure who would be though). I have watched Steven McQueen in other moves, and he could act better. Poppy Drayton i can only recall from "When calls the heart", her acting there was a bit stronger.
For this plot the actors should be more dramatic, expressive and articulate if it is to be a successful movie.
Kind of disappointing this one :( -
myplaymailacct14 April 2019Wow...where did Hallmark find these two "actors" in a huge pool of talent that is Los Angeles? While she is bad enough...slow, sloth like personality, he is (believe it or not) worse. So, if you want to be BORED out of your freakin mind...watch. Otherwise, skip this one. To be honest, I could only stand the first 30 mins. and had to shut it off. But, beside the poor acting, I actually liked the "Working Girl" plot line, BUT, seriously, did writers REALLY think we would root for the lead woman to be with the lead man? He was petty, petulant, arrogant and just plain...well, no. Just no.
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The cast is better than average in this Hallmark romance. Poppy Drayton is cute and does a really good American accent and she isn't perky - a common Hallmark heroine flaw. She is nicely paired with Steven R McQueen from Vampire Diaries who plays the ex Boyfriend from the small town she left. He shows he can do romantic roles too. Michael Welch from Twilight plays the not so suited current Boyfriend. It's nice the cast isn't the over the hill type Hallmark often casts.
The setting isn't that picturesque. Could have chosen a more beautiful lake. Couple of faults in the "Working Girl" story - the deception thing wears a bit thin after a while. The formula ending is expected from the beginning as in most Hallmark movies but to give up her career that she fought so hard for us just getting annoying. Can't the guy move to the big city for a change? -
Paul starts right off with "I hate liars." I do too, at least stories based on lies and impersonations. (I also think a man who answers the phone of a virtual stranger has no room to talk.)
But there is something about Poppy Drayton as Loretta. She isn't the drop dead gorgeous glamorous diva. But the girl inside is sweet. Loretta is a bit uptight. For me, she was the only positive thing about this movie, but even her appeal fades. (Question though - how does anyone believe this spite who looks like a teenager could be the boss of a major agency?)
Steven R. McQueen as Wayne is a jerk. It seems like he goes out of his way to annoy. And does he care about anyone other than himself? Or does he have any particular talents? He even tries to sabotage what he knows Loretta is trying to do. Repeatedly. There is no reason for Loretta to like him in the least.
For me, this type of movie is about the chemistry between the leads. And most of the movie the chemistry between Wayne and Loretta was anywhere from terrible to fair.
The story is about what you'd expect until there is an interesting twist that livens things up a bit about 2/3rds. But overall - No, I don't buy it.
Kix Brooks performs a short song which I'm not sure would appeal that much to anyone not into that style. -
Kirpianuscus7 March 2019A film in which the crumbs from different references are the best thing. Because, without be boring or bad, it is a Hallmark serie product. You know each step. And, sure, you hope be little different by yours expectations. But... . The couple made by Steven R. McQueen and Poppy Drayton is nice but not real convincing. Katrina Norman reminds a sort of Audrey Hepburn. Mary - Margaret Humes does her best and Vernee Watson ,William Shockley are good pillars for a poor story . So, choices, love, pretext for fake twists .
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dianamarinelli25 April 2021I don't get the low scores this movie was amazing and the story was decent overall good acting.
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allmoviesfan9 July 2023A twist on the popular Hallmark "mistaken identity" trope featuring British actress Poppy Drayton (who is gorgeous) and Chicago Fire alum Steven R. McQueen.
I don't think McQueen and Drayton have ever starred in a Hallmark movie before. Their debut is impressive, their chemistry obvious from the very beginning. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that they're going to end up together - this is, after all, Hallmark, where happy ever afters are are a fait acompli - but it's fun watching them get there.
Beautifully shot in the picturesque Louisiana countryside, with a very good supporting cast including country music legend Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn fame and Mary Margaret-Humes, who I remember first seeing in Dawson's Creek. She is a solid actress and Brooks does a good job, too, even getting a chance to sing a song. Of course.
A Hallmark winner.