Romancey Pants

Duck: Friends, we loved Perfect Harmony with such ducking gusto that we watched this Hallmark movie TWICE in a period of two weeks—which is unusual for us. The cast, theming, and screenplay were ducking excellent. Overall, this one was super-ducking awesome!

Star: It’s true! First of all, let’s mention the screenplay by Alicia Lomas-Gross because, like Duck’s fave pond, it had both depth and sparkle. For starters, what a great yarn!

Duck: It really is. And though it may not seem so at first, it’s very relevant for a plush duck like me. But more of that in a min.

A birds-eye view of the story? Well, retired pop singer Jack (James Denton) and Professor Barrett (Sherri Saum) can’t stand the ducking sight of each other. Jack’s all about pop culture, while Professor Barrett thinks his music is shallower than a splat-puddle. But the pair must put aside their differences when they’re asked to be best man and maid of honor at their besties’ wedding.

Star: From the start, there’s a ducking fascinating discussion about art developing between Jack and Barrett. What makes art good? What makes it deep? Barrett is a poetry professor and poet who snubs Jack’s biggest pop hit, deeming it empty of meaning … at first. She’s also uncomfortable with Jack’s ability to wing it. Meanwhile, Jack finds Barrett as controlling and judgmental as that goose who’s always stealing everyone’s grapes. But Jack hasn’t always been a kind duck himself, especially when it comes to Barrett.

We love how Barrett and Jack’s forced proximity pushes them to quack together … and become a harmonious team.

Duck: The screenplay is beautiful, thanks to Alicia Lomas-Gross, and both Denton’s and Saum’s performances rock my flippers. There’s real depth here. And their romantic chemistry is more effervescent than a pondweed prosecco! I could watch them spar and dive deep ALL DUCKING DAY. And I’ll say a quick word about the theme here too, because as a plush duck who loves romance, I’m part of pop culture! And I ducking love that this movie stands up for it!

Star: Agreed. The discussion of art was never heavy-flippered, but it was really engrossing as it helped to deepen the romance.

Plus music was everything in this movie. And as music fans, we really appreciate that. Extra kudos to the two leads who actually sing, and in Jack’s case play guitar, together. We’re just quackers about this talent.

Duck: Some really flipper-tickling tunes! And what about diversity, Star?

Star: Diversity-wise, Perfect Harmony is interesting. Age-wise, we’re doing well, with both mature and younger actors and characters. We also have actors of color, including one of the leads. As for some of the supporting actors—like Sheppard Denton, for example, who was compelling as Jack’s dry-but-wise son—they play characters I don’t feel I’ve seen too often before in Hallmark romances. Not so normative in presentation, which adds nice diversity.

We do seem to lack LGBTQIA+ diversity in story terms, however, which is a missed opportunity, IMO. Seeing as this was a 2022 release, I think it would have been the perfect venue for some out LGBTQIA+ characters.

Duck: But all in all, we were QUACKERS about this one! It really smoked my goose.

Star: Goose-smoking? That sounds rather violent, no?”

Duck: Context, Star. Many geese love incense, especially when they’re watching Hallmark movies.

Star: Aha! Had I known that, I’d have waddled more gracefully. Take care, duck-lovin’ friends!

At the time of writing, you can watch Perfect Harmony here:

Amazon Prime (including via Hallmark Movies Now subscription)

Fubo TV (via subscription)

Hulu (via subscription)

YouTube (via subscription)

The Roku Channel (via subscription)

Philo (via subscription)

Featured image photos courtesy of Hallmark. Image designs by Star Tavares.