Duck: Friends, sometimes a duck starts watching a Hallmark movie just to give it a five-minute “try,” fully expecting he’ll end up giving it the Flipper, but then he watches the whole ducking thing as easily as pondweed pie. That’s how it was with Just Add Romance. My beak-holes were firmly glued to the screen all the way through. Top-notch Hallmarking.
Star: It’s funny, isn’t it, the assumptions we make about movies? Perhaps the premise seemed a bit too neat and peppy, at first: Two chefs vying for the chance to have their own restaurant by winning a reality TV show, and knocking out the competition—i.e. each other. But the truth is, there was a depth to this movie I wasn’t expecting.
Duck: Yes, Star! I had no ducking idea we’d be exploring whether two hugely ambitious humans can date one another, share a career, and compete without disaster. After all, when a humble waterfowl watches as many romance movies as I do, he gets used to seeing things emotionally unravel at the rate of a sharp-edged waterfall. But when things did unravel in Just Add Romance, it was actually because these two protagonists listened to others‘ doubts and dramas rather than listening to their hearts.
Star: Right! The leads did a great job of giving light-but-thoughtful performances, too. We love Luke Macfarlane (Jason). He always seems to be able to balance emotional depth with likable, goofy humor that gives us a glow. And portrays lovable characters really well.
Duck: Meghann Fary also did a great job at Carly’s character. She was relatable and considered, with a feather-fluffing goofy side, just like Jason (Luke Macfarlane). The complexities of Carly’s relationship with her father also added depth to her character. And honestly, I really sank my flippers into that reality TV show! Which cook would win? I was on the edge of my river-bank!
Star: And we won’t post any big spoilers, but the ending gave a really positive message, especially given the antagonists were convinced that love and competition cannot thrive in the same space! How wrong they were.
Duck: I mean, look at you and Jake, Star! When you first got together, many of your writer friends said, “It’s just too tough having a relationship with another writer! You become so competitive!” But that’s never how it’s been for you two! You can dip your flippers in the same puddle without falling apart at the duck-seams.
Star: It’s true! So, a full five flippers-up for Just Add Romance! That said, we could have done with more diversity.
Duck: And didn’t someone cook duck in the movie, Star?
Star: Ah. That is a moral dilemma. Especially for a duck. I’ll leave the final rating to you, my friend.
Duck: Well, you know us plushies. We’re just big softies, really.
Watch Just Add Romance here:
Thanks, friends!
Romancey Pants 