Hallmark Review: 'Love, Fall & Order'

For New York based lawyer Claire Hart (Erin Cahill), her career is perfectly aligned with her lifelong competitive streak. Her work ultimately brings Claire back to her small hometown in Vermont when her father Hank (Gregory Harrison) reveals that he is being sued by his neighbor Margie Wright (Jan Broberg) over a patch of his farming land that an uncovered deed seems to indicate belongs to her. The Harts are especially protective of the patch of land listed in the suit, as it is the plot of land Hank uses to host the town's annual Fall Fest.

Upon arriving home and reconnecting with old friends, Claire finds herself in for another shock: the lawyer representing Margie is her nephew Patrick Harris (Trevor Donovan), her rival from high school. Her reunion with Patrick reignites the competitive streak they had in their youths, as does the lawsuit that has brought them together. But as Claire fights to protect her father's land, her long-forgotten feelings for Patrick begin to re-emerge as they begin to bond. But will Hank and Margie's legal dispute put a stop to what is developing between two reunited rivals?

As one of the final fall-centric film premieres this year before Hallmark starts up their Christmas premieres early, Love, Fall & Order (oddly worded title aside) delivers on what most people who watch Hallmark for: a heartwarming story that you can just curl up with and watch without a care in the world. Much of this lighthearted entertainment can be traced to Claire and Patrick, with Erin Cahill and Trevor Donovan having excellent chemistry together that brings heartwarming sincerity to their dynamic as sniping high school rivals harboring tender feelings for each other. In addition to keeping the pair's jabs at each other appropriately playful, the film also shows in smaller doses how a mutual attraction is lurking beneath Claire and Patrick's rampant competitiveness, allowing their development as a couple to be a believable transition—and a sweet one to see unfold.

Cahill and Donovan are both likable and charming on their own as well, with the former doing well as Claire goes through her "Defrosting Ice Queen" transformation over the course of the film. The actors surrounding them additionally bring a lovability to their roles, with a notable highlight being Drew Fuller as Claire's adorkable ally and amicable ex Ben (bringing back memories of Giles Panton's similarly charming performance from It's Christmas, Eve). Gregory Harrison is charming as the old-fashioned but reasonable Hank and both Hailey Smith and K.C. Clyde are adorable as married couple Betsy and Nick, who act as Audience Surrogates to Claire and Patrick as they navigate their changing relationship.

Jan Broberg also makes the most of her screen time, making you understand Margie's desire to win her case against Hank while selling her guilt at it causing more of a rift between her and her neighbor. Unfortunately, for a character who has such an integral role in the plot's inciting incident, Love, Fall & Order gives Margie far too little screentime, preventing the viewer from getting to know her and her history with Hank deeper and thus disconnecting them from the conflict that is driving the film and creating an obstacle for Claire and Patrick's bond. The film also has issues when it comes to padding, as the film's focus on the Fall Fest activities (while providing Love, Fall & Order with a nice autumn aesthetic) is never as compelling as Claire and Patrick's developing romance or the legal dispute between their families.

Taken as a whole, however, Love, Fall & Order rises above its unwieldy title and plotting issues and proves to be a sweet Hallmark romance with a leading couple whose relationship will provide more than its share of smiles and laughs--the ultimate goal of any Hallmark film. With a well-developed romance held up by a strong cast that brings heart and charm to their roles, Hallmark is certainly ending this year's array of fall-based romance flicks on a strong note.

Score: 9 out of 10 pumpkin muffins.