My main reasons for seeing Hallmark's first 2018 Fall Harvest film 'Truly Madly Sweetly' were for Hallmark completest sake, which has been an uneven but actually interesting and worthwhile endeavour. And for Nikki DeLoach, one of the most popular regular Hallmark actresses and for good reason (being one of the few to be near consistently good and she also is one of the Hallmark regulars to have the highest number of above average and more films in their filmography).
'Truly Madly Sweetly' is a good if not great start for the 2018 Fall Harvest output. As far as Hallmark's 2018 output goes, it's neither one of the best or worst but instead somewhere around high middle. DeLoach has had more likeable characters and more convincing romantic chemistry in other films, but performance wise it is a good representation of her (if not the best). Have seen a few Fall Harvest films that don't feel like Fall Harvest films and don't really belong in any of the seasonal blockings really, but 'Truly Madly Sweetly' is unmistakably so.
It is not perfect, it is a bit of a slow starter and can understand totally where some that didn't like the film are coming from regarding DeLoach's character not being the easiest to like. Will agree that the character was too brittle and uptight to begin with, and DeLoach initially overdoes it.
Also thought that it was a little too neat and silly towards the end and that DeLoach and Dylan Neal's chemistry, while not non-existent, was too subdued.
However, DeLoach's performance is a very committed (and one hundred percent so) one that relaxes the more the character grows. Neal's character is the more likeable and consistent one and he comes off very engagingly and charmingly throughout. The supporting cast do very well, Karen Holness brings some welcome vim without over-compensating and Bailey Skodje is both cute and sincere, nothing bratty or sugary sweet here. Her chemistry with DeLoach and Neal is more believable and heartfelt than the romantic chemistry.
Production values are very good, the scenery is beautiful and while the colour orange is used a lot it doesn't come over as too heavy. The music at least fits and doesn't feel overused or overscored. While not always subtle, the dialogue is generally witty, flows well and has honesty. While not perfect, the story is heart-warming and light-hearted with any character conflict being more realistic and less strained than can be usually be seen with Hallmark films following similar plotlines. A good deal happens but not in a way that comes over as over-stuffed and disjointed. The characters are mostly fine, with reservations only being with DeLoach's initially.
Concluding, not great but good. 7/10.
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