Love and Sunshine

Like most Hallmark movies, it follows a formula. And admittedly, there are incorrect/inconsistent details in the movie like Army uniform and Air Force bus and nobody in uniform wearing covers while outside? But the story is sweet, and doesn't require much suspension of disbelief. The leads have good chemistry. It's so refreshing to not have contrived drama keeping them apart and the evolution of their relationship feel natural. Not to mention the dog, Sunshine fits her name.

I enjoyed this movie because it was fun to see Danica McKellar from The Wonder Years all grow'd up. Plus it was filmed at locations that are mostly familiar to me. Granted, I don't exactly know where Mckeller's client professes to live, but she appears to own a significant portion of Kitty Islet in Oak Bay. Which would be a neat trick if it were true. But for heaven's sake, Mckellar is in her mid-40s. And her army boy Mark Deklin is even older. If I saw two friends of mine at that age acting like a couple of lovestruck teens I'd probably want to slap some sense into them. Also, that guy is no more believable on a construction site than Richard Simmons. Check out the way he chokes up on the hammer when he's building that deck with McKellar. And the hard hats. Too funny. Then there is army boy's mom, Bess Armstrong. She's only 14 years older than Deklin. It was a little creepy seeing a man that old asking his mom for dating advice. Oh, and what did mom do for a living because her house was easily worth $4-5 million. Not too many sons of millionaires joining the US Army, is all I'm saying. And the basic premise and major plot points were lifted from a 2013 Hallmark movie called Be My Valentine, starring one of the Baldwins who have never fatally shot anyone on a movie set.

Look, Hallmark movies are Hallmark movies! They are not meant to change the world, but to add a bit of calm and beauty and kindness at the end of what might have been an unpleasant day! I like almost all of the (well, not interested in any of the prince/princess movies! That's my opinion LOL). Anyhow, this movie is just really lovely to look at - a nursery full of vibrant colors, run by two characters who like each other and the conversation flows and is witty! The dog - a golden retriever - enough said! Mark Deklin - ditto! The family - warm, loving, caring.....gorgeous outdoor yards... How could this movie disappoint....It doesn't!

Unfortunately, Bess Armstrong isn't the lead of this movie. Fortunately the almost as amazing Danica McKellar is. The plot is mostly blah blah blah, here's a dog, some misunderstandings ensue, but Danica keeps this movie interesting.