I can understand not being a fan of Hallmark movies, but actually hating them seems a bit much to me. They definitely have their charm, even if they tend to play things incredibly safe and predictable. At the same time, that gives these kinds of movies something comforting. They are perfect when you are in the mood for something light, easy to digest, and entertaining.
"Much About Love" knows exactly what kind of movie it wants to be. It is a romantic comedy in which an old love is rekindled against the backdrop of a Shakespeare festival. Ashley Williams and Niall Matter take on the lead roles, with the movie also serving as a modern take on "Much Ado About Nothing."
Hallmark Is Growing Alongside Its Audience
It is actually nice to see Hallmark movies growing along with their audience. The main characters are no longer automatically two young thirtysomethings who are still trying to figure out who they are and what they want from life. Increasingly, we are seeing fresh-faced forty-somethings taking center stage instead.
That is also the case with "Much About Love." These characters already have a history together and are not meeting for the first time. That automatically gives the romance a slightly more mature feel. This is not a story about two people still trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives, but about two people who already know each other and have to decide what they mean to one another all over again.
It actually suits the genre surprisingly well.
Something Has to Be Saved Again
Of course, this Hallmark movie also needs something to be saved. This time, it is a Shakespeare festival that is in trouble.
To be completely honest, it never feels particularly important. It is not exactly a matter of a company putting hundreds of jobs at risk or a family about to lose its home. Still, it works reasonably well within the movie because the festival is personal enough to the characters.
It also gives "Much About Love" a somewhat more original backdrop. A Shakespeare festival is at least a little more interesting than yet another Christmas market, bakery, or small shop on the verge of closing down.
The story takes place in a world that gives the movie a little more of its own identity.
You Have Seen This Love Story Before
When it comes to the romance, the movie does exactly what you expect.
The two main characters do not seem to like each other very much at first. There is a history between them, there are plenty of irritations, and there is more than enough reason to believe that they would rather stay out of each other's way.
But then again, this is a Hallmark movie.
Of course, they eventually fall for each other.
That does not necessarily have to be a problem. Clichés are not automatically bad. What matters is how you use them. "Much About Love" manages to squeeze enough charm out of the familiar formula to keep it from becoming annoying, but at the same time, the romance is very straightforward.
There are very few obstacles that genuinely put their relationship under pressure.
Not Enough Conflict Between the Leads
That is probably the movie's biggest weakness. Despite the setup suggesting that the two main characters cannot stand each other, there is never really any serious conflict between them.
They disagree from time to time, make a few remarks at each other's expense, and clearly have some history, but it never feels as though their relationship is truly at stake.
As a result, the movie gets very little tension out of its romance.
You know pretty much from the beginning where this is going, and very little happens along the way to make you think otherwise. It is all pleasant enough to watch, but rarely surprising.
Some Nice Side Plots Add Variety
Fortunately, the movie does not rely entirely on the romance between its two leads. There are several decent side plots that provide some variety and give the movie a little more substance.
Not every storyline is equally well developed, but they do prevent "Much About Love" from feeling like one long build-up to an inevitable romantic conclusion.
That said, some of the characters, and especially their relationships with one another, could have been developed a little better. There are some interesting possibilities in certain supporting characters, but the movie does not always take enough time to actually do something meaningful with them.
As a result, everything ultimately remains fairly superficial.
Solid Chemistry Between Ashley Williams and Niall Matter
Fortunately, the movie has very few problems when it comes to the chemistry between its leads.
Ashley Williams and Niall Matter make a pleasant pairing and give their scenes enough energy. Their interactions feel natural enough to easily draw you into the story.
That is important in movies like this. When the two leads have absolutely no chemistry, the entire thing tends to fall apart immediately. Thankfully, that is not a problem "Much About Love" has.
The movie does not have to work particularly hard to convince you that these two are eventually meant to be together.
Mostly Entertaining
But is "Much About Love" also the kind of movie that gives you those genuinely warm romantic feelings?
I think it is mainly entertaining.
Everything is sweet, likeable, and innocent enough, but the movie never really managed to affect me emotionally. The love story simply feels a little too easy for that. There are too few moments where the characters genuinely have something to lose, and as a result, the emotional tension is missing.
That does not make the movie bad.
It simply means that you are probably better off watching it as a light romantic comedy that provides a pleasant way to spend an hour and a half, rather than as a movie that will genuinely move you.
Good Within Its Genre
"Much About Love" is ultimately just a solid Hallmark movie.
It does very little wrong, has two leads with enough chemistry, an enjoyable setting, and enough smaller storylines to keep things reasonably interesting. At the same time, it is all quite predictable and lacks the kind of genuine conflict that could have given the romance more weight.
But perhaps you should not overthink that.
Hallmark knows what its audience wants, and "Much About Love" delivers exactly that. It is safe, friendly, light, and entertaining. Not every movie has to knock your socks off.
For fans of romantic Hallmark movies, this is certainly a film that accomplishes what it sets out to do. For anyone looking for something more surprising or a romance with a little more depth, there is probably less to enjoy here.
Rating: 7/10
