Valentine's Day movie reviews

Each movie listed includes: 

(1) Title (2) Rating (3) Genres (4) Starring (5) Synopsis (6) My Personal Review (7) Scoring 1-5

 

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All Of My Heart (2015)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance

Starring: Lacey Chabert, Brennan Elliott, and Ed Asner

Synopsis: After inheriting half of a house, a young woman develops an unexpected friendship with her co-owner.

Review: This is a good one.  Chabert and Elliott sparring alone is worth watching.  They’re quite funny.  You know it will end in romance but their journey getting there is fun.  This ended up being the first in a series.  If you enjoy this look for All Of My Heart: Inn Love and All Of My Heart: The Wedding.

Scoring: 4

All Things Valentine 
Rated: G
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance 
Starring: Sarah Rafferty and Sam Page
Synopsis: A blogger who experiences terrible luck on Valentine’s Day meets a handsome veterinarian. When she finds out he’s the one who’s been leaving rude comments about her articles, she begins to question whether her luck has really changed. 
Review:  This is a fun Valentine’s Day story. It takes a twisted path to get from start to end. The actors are delightful and have good chemistry. Charming 
Scoring: 4

Anything For Love

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Erika Christensen and Paul Greene

Synopsis: A high-powered executive lies about her career on her dating profile, while her match also hides his true identity.

Review: I really enjoyed them getting to know each other with the suspense of wondering how and when they will find out the truth.  The leads have a good chemistry and the other actors do a great job.  Fun to watch.

Scoring: 3

Appetite For Love

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Taylor Cole, Andrew Walker

Synopsis: A corporate executive is sent to a small town to re-brand a restaurant as part of a strategic acquisition, but the iconic diner happens to be in her home town where she hasn't been in years and the owner is her high school sweetheart.

Review: When watching a Hallmark movie I expect a happy ending.  This time the story took a few turns and had me wondering how they’d get there.  I love when that happens.  Watching the city girl return to her small-town roots isn’t new but Walker does an excellent job of making it worth watching.

Scoring: 3

Be My Valentine 

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: William Baldwin and Natalie Brown

Synopsis: Daniel Farrell is a young widowed father who is navigating mourning and parenting Tyler, his adolescent son. Father and son have a great relationship so Tyler can't wait to confide to his dad that he as a crush on a girl in his class. Assuming that his dad is an expert on women, Tyler solicits his dad's help in wooing the girl. While teaching his son the ropes on dating, Daniel discovers he too has many things to figure out about love. Stars William Baldwin and Natalie Brown.

Review: This movie has pretty much everything to tug at the heartstrings.  It has a widower, childhood sweethearts, new young love/crush, a florist, a fire station, firefighters, and a fundraising ball.  What more could you ask for?  The acting is good, the story is beautiful, and the romance is sweet.  Watching Dan and Kate take steps forwards and backwards towards a relationship keeps it interesting.

Scoring: 4

A Charming Valentine (2023)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Carolina Bartczak and Chad Connell

Synopsis: Lillian is a businesswoman who turns start-ups into successful companies. Her newest client is a company called "Love Subscription". Will Lillian's past heartbreak conflict with her growing feelings for Grant, "Love Subscription" founder?

Review: This was more about the romance than Valentine’s Day but it doesn’t matter.  This is a new and fresh take on a romance.  I really enjoyed the chemistry between the actors.  It made the story feel organic and real.

Scoring: 3.5

Cooking With Love
Rated: G
Genres: Comedy, Romance 
Starring: Ali Liebert, Brett Dalton, Kimberley Sustad, and Gabrielle Rose
Synopsis: Hardworking and optimistic television producer, Kelly, doesn't have time for love. Along with her mentor Amanda, Kelly dives into another season of the Little Gourmet, a kids cooking show, when hot-headed chef Stephen Harris is dropped into Kelly's life as a last minute replacement host. As the two struggle to make peace and a successful show, they realize they have a lot more in common than they thought - a love of food, the kids they encounter and each other.
Review:  I enjoyed this movie. The characters were colorful and the plot wasn’t the typical love story. The highlight, of course, is the kids. They always add something special. 
Scoring: 3

Cupid, Inc.

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Starring: Joely Fisher and Jamie Kennedy

Synopsis: Eve Lovett, a workaholic TV talk show host with a string of failed relationships, is worried she will never find true love  A man named Vernon Gart shows up.  He tells her that if she can match a new couple before Valentine’s Day she will find her true love.  If not, her true love will be lost forever.

Review: All of Eve’s attempt to put couples together leads to many funny moments in the movie.  The story line moves along.  They manage to make it funny without being silly.  Fisher and Kennedy were perfect for their roles.  If you want to relax and have a few laughs, this is for you.

Scoring: 3

A Dash Of Love
Rated: G
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Starring: Jen Lilley and Brendan Penny
Synopsis: When an aspiring chef lands a dream job at her idol's restaurant, she befriends the handsome executive chef. After they are both wrongly fired from there, the duo decides to open their own eatery to prove their food is better.
Review: Lilley and Penny are their usual amazing selves and their chemistry is perfect. Paul’s formal chef training matches his stiff personality and Nikki’s experimental and adventurous way try new things matches her as well. The story unfolds at a perfect pace. 
Scoring: 4

Dater’s Handbook (2016)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Meghan Markle, Kristoffer Polaha, and Jonathan Scarfe

Synopsis: Cass is a successful business woman that appears unsuccessful in her personal life and decides to try The Daters Handbook at her sister’s encouragement and dates several guys to test the process

Review: Polaha and Scarfe are the best parts of the movie.  Markle is so-so which is difficult as she is the center of the movie.  The two men are playing stereotypical opposites.  It’s a little predictable.  Women with trouble finding Mr. Right may find it relatable.

Scoring: 2

I Hate Valentine’s Day

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Nia Vardalos and John Corbett

Synopsis: A florist, who abides by a strict five-date-limit with any man, finds herself wanting more with the new restaurateur in town.

Review: This has the possibility of being a cute rom-com.  The problem for me was I’ve seen “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” so many times that seeing the same leads in this movie made it not work.  I kept seeing their other characters and these characters at the same time.  It’s a sweet and funny enough movie.  I just wish it wasn’t those same two actors together.

Scoring: 2

Love At First Glance

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Amy Smart and Adrian Grenier

Synopsis: After being dumped by her fiancé for being unadventurous, a woman sets out to prove him wrong by tracking down the handsome stranger whose cellphone she found on the subway.

Review: This movie was very different than the typical love story.  The two leads communicate via text the entire time until the end. I liked how Mary learned about herself as she tried to learn about James.  You do have to let go of reality to fall into this story. 

Scoring: 3

Love In Store (2020)

Rated: G

Genre: Romance

Starring: Alexandra Breckenridge, Robert Buckley, and Jackee Harry

Synopsis: Sparks fly between a home shopping how and her rival when they compete for a promotion.

Review: I thought the home shopping show angle was a fresh take on a romance.  The leads had remarkable chemistry.  I expected a happy ending but I didn’t know exactly what that would look like.  That’s a lovely surprise.  I truly enjoyed this.  It’s one I look forward to seeing again.

Scoring: 4

Love On The Menu
Rated: G
Genres: Family, Romance
Starring: Autumn Reeser and Kavan Smith
Synopsis: A chef makes a deal with a frozen food executive in order to save his restaurant.
Review: I’m not sure why Hallmark made this one of their Valentine movies because the holiday has nothing to do with it. I went into watching it with concern about the chemistry between the stars but boy was I wrong. They were fantastic. The story is about two people developing a relationship not just people falling in love. It makes the story so much more realistic rather than fantasy. I really loved everything about the movie and I highly recommend it. 
Scoring: 5

Love, Romance, and Chocolate 

Rated: G

Genre: Romance 

Starring: Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp

Synopsis: Emma and chocolatier Luc compete for Belgium's Royal Chocolatier. The beauty and romance of Bruges inspire unique chocolate combinations, but will their entry win without them losing their hearts?

Review: The scenery alone is worth watching this movie for. Seeing Emma and Luc marry their differing approaches to flavors and doing things is done gently and makes the story as sweet as its chocolate. The parallels between how Emma and Luc approach cooking and life are subtle but add another dimension to the story. I loved it. 

Scoring: 5

Lucky In Love

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance 

Starring: Jessica Szohr and Deidre Hall

Synopsis: When Mira's April Fool's Day tricks materialize, she finds herself promoted to the perfect job, dating the perfect man and living in the perfect home. Mira's newly upgraded life even involves working with her CEO and her good friend, on a coveted work project. When these seemingly positive changes result in big challenges, Mira realizes that the pursuit of perfection is a fool's errand. In order to achieve a life that's perfect for her, Mira must let go of perfection and chase what brings her true happiness.

Review: This movie was different from many Hallmark movies in that Mira’s experience was the main plot line. The romantic relationships were secondary. We get to see someone learn that you have to be careful what you wish for, even though she technically didn’t wish for them but did want them, and to learn how to grow without leaving herself behind. 

Scoring: 3

Matching Hearts (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Taylor Cole and Ryan Paevey

Synopsis: As Valentine’s Day nears, a matchmaker must find a mate for an entrepreneur who believes staying single is the key to success.

Review: This was an interesting romance.  You know they have to end up together but you’re not sure how it will happen.  Paevey is as delightful as he is in every movie.  I liked the matchmaker angle.  The dogs were added “aww” moments.  The movie seemed to fly by.  I couldn’t believe when it was over.  Very enjoyable.

Scoring: 4

My Secret Valentine

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Lacey Chabert and Andrew Walker

Synopsis: A young woman takes advice from the chalkboard notes that her mysterious house rental tenant leaves when a slick sales rep arrives with plans to buy her family's prized winery.

Review: The whole secret story with the chalkboard, who is “Handy Man” and who is “In Need of Repair” was fun.  It kept me wondering when they’d find out and how it would work out.  Of course, I got the ending I expected but we didn’t get there how I predicted.  A truly sweet story.

Scoring: 4

Playing Cupid

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Laura Vandervoort and Nicholas Gonzalez

Synopsis: Clara Martinez has a knack for knowing when two people are right for each other.  When being given the assignment to create her own business, she creates a matchmaking business.

Review:  This was a cute movie and the children were well casted.  It doesn’t have surprises but that’s okay.  It’s engaging and charming.  I suggest giving it a try.

Scoring: 3

The Secret Ingredient (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Erin Cahill and Brendan Penny

Synopsis: A small-town baker reunites with her ex-fiance after traveling to New York City to compete on a Valentine’s Day cooking show.

Review: While I had most of it figured out early on, I wasn’t sure how they’d handle who would win the show.  I enjoyed the little twists and turns as well as the secrecy of how the show ran.  I was thoroughly engaged and entertained the entire time.  It’s more about relationships and love than the holiday but it’s still wonderful.

Scoring: 4

Sleepless in Seattle

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Victor Garber, Bill Pullman, David Hyde Pierce, and Rosie O’Donnell

Synopsis: A recently widowed man's son calls a radio talk-show in an attempt to find his father a partner.

Review: While the movie technically ends on Valentine’s Day, the theme of love is woven throughout it.  Becky pushing her friend to investigate Noah and Sam’s radio interview, even though she is with Walter (who is pretty much allergic to everything) is funny.  The way they included “An Affair to Remember” is sweet.  The kids are remarkable.  The movie has it all.  I laughed, I cried, I oohed and aahed.  It’s perfection.

Scoring: 5

The Story Of Us (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Maggie Lawson and Sam Page

Synopsis: Jamie learns that her first love Sawyer is the architect of a development that wants to change her beloved neighborhood and threatens her bookstore. Can old Valentines help them see eye to eye?

Review: A woman cherishes her small business and her ex is coming to destroy it.  We’ve seen it time and time again.  I don’t tire of the repetitive plots on Hallmark.  In fact, I think that’s part of what makes them so relaxing and enjoyable. You’ll know the end, of course, but they make getting there interesting.  Jamie is an especially wonderful character.

Scoring: 3

Sweeter Than Chocolate (2023)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Eloise Mumford and Dan Jeannotte 

Synopsis: A TV reporter goes to investigate a local bakery which is rumored to have the secret recipe to finding true love on Valentine's Day.

Review: The sign of a good movie is when you suddenly realize it’s already half over. When you’re so absorbed in the story that time flies. That’s the case here. It’s so sweet and emotional. It’s also a fresh take on The Valentine’s Day love story. 

Scoring: 3.5

A Valentine Carol

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

Starring: Emma Caufield and Barbara Niven

Synopsis: As Ally Sims juggles the pressure of her Valentine’s Day wedding to her rich and successful fiancé along with the pressures of hosting the very controversial radio talk show “Rich, Single and Yours” she is visited by a ghost from her past.  Ally is taken through her love life past, present, and future and at the same time learns what’s really important.

Review: I thought turning the classic into a Valentine’s Day movie was a clever idea.  It showcases a lot of the highs and lows we experience in relationships.  It was on the verge of being really funny but just didn’t quite get there.  It was fun to watch once but I wouldn’t sit through it again.

Scoring: 2

Valentine Ever After
Rated: G
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family
Starring: Autumn Reeser and Eric Johnson
Synopsis: When socialites Julia and Sydney leave their cushy lives in Chicago to embark on a road-trip, they end up on the wrong side of the law in a tiny town in Wyoming. Forced to serve 30 days community service, Sydney discovers there's more to life than can be purchased with a gold card and Julia learns that her "perfect" life back home might not be what she thought she wanted. 
Review: The scenery is beautiful. The characters and the town are mostly relatable. It’s a fun journey watching the women embrace the town and the ranch. Valentine’s Day is at the end but love runs throughout. Love between parent and child, friends, and romantic relationships. 
Scoring: 4

Valentine In The Vineyard 

Rated: G

Genre: Romance

Starring: Brendan Penny and Rachel Leigh Cook

Synopsis: Back for the third installment, Frankie and Nate manage life on the vineyard and plan a wedding in secret.

Review: I didn’t like this movie any more than the first two.  I don’t understand why they keep making sequels.  The leads don’t have chemistry and the story of them has gone to beyond boring.  If you like the other ones you may like this one.

Scoring: 1

A Valentine’s Date (also titled  Your Love Never Fails)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Elisa Donovan and Brad Rowe

Synopsis: Laura, a working mother, is forced to return to a life she left behind in Texas when her daughter's father, Dylan, files for joint custody.

Review: If you read the synopsis, you’ve probably already figured out the ending.  No there are no big surprises or plot twists.  What the movie does have is actors who do a great job bringing the script to life.  I cared about the characters.  It was a little slow for me but that’s okay once in a while.

Scoring: 3

Valentine’s Day

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, Hector Elizondo, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah, Taylor Lautner, George Lopez, Shirley MacLaine, Emma Roberts, Julia Roberts, and Taylor Swift

Synopsis: Intertwining couples and singles in Los Angeles break-up and make-up based on the pressures and expectations of Valentine's Day.

Review: There’s obviously a jam packed cast of actors.  Based on that and the description I was expecting the Valentine’s Day version of “Noel”.  I was majorly disappointed.  There’s a moment here or there that’s good but it’s quite boring and the characters are mostly annoying people.  It was hard to sit through.

Scoring: 1

A Valentine’s Match (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Luke McFarlane and Bethany Joy Lenz

Synopsis: Fired from her job as a reality TV host, Natalie returns home for Valentine's Day, only to find herself running the town festival's auction with her ex-fiancé  thanks to two scheming mothers.

Review: This movie is really special.  Lenz and McFarlane have great chemistry and they made me laugh out loud more than once.  The moms are pretty funny, too.  Yes, I expected the ending but I didn’t care.  I really enjoyed watching it.

Scoring: 4

Very, Very, Valentine

Rated: G

Genre: Romance

Starring: Danica McKellar and Cameron Mathison

Synopsis: When florist Helen meets a dreamy mystery man at a masquerade ball, she and her friend Henry set out to find him.

Review: I don’t understand these movies where people where a tiny mask and then others can’t recognize them without it.  It’s so unbelievable it takes something away from movies with that in it.  Like this one.  Does she find the mystery man,  if so, how did she do it, does she end up with him, does she end up with her friend Henry?  All these questions and the beauty of the botanical gardens and the flowers make the movie worth watching.

Scoring: 3

Walking The Dog (2017)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Jennifer Finnigan and Sam Page

Synopsis: Rival lawyers battle each other in court as their respective dogs fall madly in love, bringing their guardians together at every turn until they reluctantly realize it may not just be the pups who are each other's true Valentine.

Review: Yes, we have the typical Hallmark aspects here but that’s part of why it’s so enjoyable.  The dogs are so adorable and the actors have great chemistry.  Sweet love story.

Scoring:

Welcome to Valentine (2023)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance

Starring: Kathryn Davis and Markian Tarasiuk

Synopsis: Follows Olivia, who lost her boyfriend and job at once and wants to return to her hometown in Nebraska, but in the way she meets George and gets stuck in the road with him, spending time together and realizing love is what truly matters.

Review: This was a new take on a Valentine romance. It was sweet but felt fresh and was very interesting. It does have a few plot holes but still worth watching. 

Scoring: 4