Love on the Slopes

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6/10 - average Hallmark romance that isn't particularly memorable

A great Hallmark movie about extreme sports, finding unexpected love and facing one's fears. Great chemistry between Katrina Bowden (Alex) and Thomas Beaudin (Cole). Wonderful writers, Bruce D. Johnson (Story) and Kirsten Hansen (Teleplay).

'Love on the Slopes' is not just the first Winterfest film of 2018, it is also the film that started off the 2018 Hallmark batch. Haven't seen all four of the 2018 Winterfest films yet, the other one already seen being 'One Winter Weekend' which for me was rather average. Was not familiar really with the cast, so there was no overall opinion of the actors prior to watching. The premise didn't sound anything special, typical Hallmark really, but the Hallmark formula has worked quite a number of times. It does have moments where that formula does in 'Love on the Slopes' and of this and 'One Winter Weekend' for me this was the better film. Yet a good deal more could have been done with it and it doesn't completely come together. 'Love on the Slopes' is not a bad film by all means and it has a number of things in its favour. It also though falls short of being great, and has some significant debits that bring it down. Not one of the best 2018 Hallmark films, also not one of the worst. Am going to begin with the good things. The production values are beautiful, especially the scenery which is magical at its best and the photography does nothing to trivialise it. A big asset as well is Katrina Bowden, who is likeable and acts with charm and spirit like her role needs. Her character was luckily not one of the personality free or overacted ones, coming over as neither too perfect or over negative. The supporting cast are solid with no exception. There are enough moments of charm and heart and some of the script is not too cheesy or schmaltzy. There is the right amount of light hearted-ness. Was a lot less keen though on the incredibly uncomfortable looking Thomas Beaudoin, the uptightness is taken to extremes and neither he or his character loosen up enough. A lot more chemistry between him and Bowden was needed, any charm comes in small spurts too late and it just felt bland, too hesitant and under-rehearsed. The romance itself could have been better written, there is not much of one, it takes too long to develop and then it rushes unrealistically. Despite finding the story not too bad on the whole, it's just too safe and predictable with some draggy pacing here and there and a far too convenient and over sappy ending. The music score is overbearing and is used too much. Overall, decent but not great. 6/10.

Pretty people don't always equal actors. I take most of these Hallmark movies with not just a grain of salt, a salty pretzel. The eyeline of the talking props is so strange, it makes you feel like the characters can't see. The best part of the movie was the scenery. A beautiful snowy mountain, always magical. I probably wouldn't watch this again, but I enjoyed picking it apart! By the way, You can't call yourself a resort without a bellman, just saying. Not that I expect reality here but com'mon, there isn't one strapping young Canuck who wants to help?

Katrina Bowden's acting was so bad, her character such a stereotype, I almost deleted it 15 minutes in. I had a sinking feeling I was watching decades of female progress fly out the window as the helpless nitwit who doesn't have a story idea and can't dress properly clings to the strong man. Ick. I stuck it out for the scenery. The scenery was far better than the movie. Bowden's acting got a bit better, but her male lead Thomas Beaudoin was so stiff any chemistry was out of the question. Yet another obligatory, cringeworthy dance scene. The ending was sappy-bad.

It's the story of a girl from New York who spends one week on the mountains to deal with her fears and to write an article about extreme sports. Unexpectedly, his coach is the famous photographer that she wants to interview, but, if at the beginning it is only job, day by day it becomes friendship, affection and finally love. In the meantime, she discovers a new way of living and she finally finds her real path to follow. It is a sweet and romantic movie, the plot is simple but appreciable and the actors are both good, lovely and handsome. Too much music during all the movie, but for the rest it is a good choice for an easy evening.

Hallmark is great at making setting an important part of the movie, but this particular film does that in spades. There's incredible snowy mountain scenery here, especially in the scene where Alex and Cole zipline across a canyon above an icy river. Just gorgeous. Seriously, this is worth watching for the scenery alone. As for the romance, I liked the leads, even if Alex's girly "I'm so not sporty" was a bit ridiculous initially. The premise of having her do a lot of winter-y extreme sports allowed for breathtaking vistas and for her to cling to manly extreme sports guide, Cole. The chemistry was pretty good, especially towards the end. The script was serviceable. All in all, one I will rewatch. The leads are attractive and appealing enough that the romance was decent. But it's mainly the setting that puts this one over the top for me.

I felt the actors were authentic and had a real connection. I've never zip-lined or bungee jumped and I have to say I was really nervous for the character in this movie. I found this movie inspiring.