Romancing the Birthday Girl

Don't Forget I Love You

Overall, this is worth watching. I like that the lead character has issues and quirks, which make her human. The story doesn't meander much or get distracted by unnecessary B-plots. What I don't like is how the leads exude goofiness with each other throughout. I guess that's how they work the "com" into "rom-com," but to me it becomes annoying and detracts from any sense of romance. Having a laugh with each other is important, but these two would probably joke their way through wedding vows, all while pretending they aren't actually getting married.

I loved the story. As always, Emily Ullerup really embodied the character. A real feel-good movie with good vibes. One thing though. The background scenery from the roadtrip to nowhere was obviously a photo on a green screen. Hallmark, don't ever do that again. We're not stupid, we can see that the depth perception is off. How hard can it be to find an actual road with some beautiful scenery? It shows laziness, just don't.

Nice is the favorit term, in my case, for define Hallmark romantic films. It this case , this word works not so well. First, because, except the drawing with elephant by Chloe, except Daphne. Hoskins herself , except the yoga with goat, nothing works . The chemistry between Clayton Jones and Emilie Ullerup is just...fiction. The single parent - a too used clichee. The challenge of late mother and the duties - not original or inspired used. Sure, it is only another Hallmark. Nothing to expect, nothing provocative, the perfect film after a very busy work day. But the poor viewer could desrve a better story.

If you look at my profile, I have rated over 2000 shows and movies and reviewed over 1100. Many of them are Hallmark type movies, many Christmas and many like this. At least half between the two, probably far more. I've watched a lot of the same old same old and I do get tired of them sometimes. This movie was not the same old same old. Sure, scavenger hunt type challenge has been done, but it's not the most common. Sure, the widower and the daughter is a common premise. Sure, many of the heroines are neurotic and/or extreme list makers. I prefer to think of Taylor as Quirky. I love quirky. Emilee Ullerup does a great job with this character even though there might have been other ways she could have done it. I felt Taylor's vulnerability. I felt her fear. I felt her embarrassment. And I loved her courage. I can't say there were any LOL moments, but I find it difficult not to find humor in this whole thing. And I was never sure what was going to happen next. The ending was predictable in broad strokes, but I thought getting there was interesting. The ending might have pushed my Sappy meter a tad too much, but it fits the rest of the movie. Ullerup and Clayton James had definite chemistry. Daphne Hoskins as Chloe was a factor, but not as much as in some widower and daughter movies. Oh, and at least one green screen moment stood out like a really sore thumb, but some of that might have been the unusual colors. Side note: I kept thinking that the situation with Sara was very much like another Ullerup movie, Winter Castle written by the same person. This movie rises above the usual Hallmark Saturday night, not to mention the clones. And it's clean.

Well yes, I like Ellie Ullerup and wouldn't it be nice if we happened to be neighbours. Her role is not the usual Hallmark heroine as her character has some definite issues which mean that she isn't immediately likable and Ms Ullerup has to work hard to find the positives in this obsessively structured, self doubting woman who is highly risk averse. And yet she does. As is so often the case with Hallmark, the guy doesn't bring much other than good looks, a vivacious daughter and a sad single parent story, and somehow he expects us to join the dots that this makes him Mr Right. Sports teacher? It's as convincing a performance as the green screen highlighted in other reviews. But I liked the movie because I have walked across the same suspension bridge that causes Ms Ullerup so much stress, so even though we're still not neighbours, we have at least walked the same path but yeeeears apart!

I love Emilie Ullerup, but I had to warm a little to Clayton James who plays our male lead Josh opposite her Taylor, but warm to him I did. He was sweet, engaging and was a wonderful foil to Taylor who is an overly neurotic character. A new neighbor moves in next door and it is Taylor's thirtieth birthday, which she plans to spend visiting her dad who is a local artist and gallery owner. Her dad surprises her with a treasure map to a time capsule buried for her by her late mother. Inside the time capsule is a series of challenges to be done one at a time, that challenge Taylor and push her out of her comfortable little bubble. She has to complete a challenge and document it with a photo before opening the next challenge. The first challenge is to meet someone new...this ends up being her new neighbor, a widower, and his daughter who begin to help Taylor complete her challenges in the spirit in which her mother meant them to be completed. This was a wonderful story with an even better tie back in to Taylor's mom. I really enjoyed this for the story alone...and I am not sure I have ever said that about a made for Hallmark movie! The romance is there as well...so if you are just in it for the romance you won't be disappointed. I am a little concerned however there seems to be a trend of Hallmark having lots of stories about widows and widowers...especially those who are parents. Why are you killing off all the parents Hallmark? Should we be concerned? Bottom line this was a wonderful story and I highly recommend that if you are a hallmark fan that you give it a try.

Taylor is a type A kind of gal. She is very organised, she follows her routine everyday, she has everything scheduled. So, on her 30th birthday her parents lead her to a time capsule, in which there are 6 challenges she has to complete in order to get the real present. I liked it, I thought it was nice. I may be biased because I really like Emilie and I always find something in her characters that I relate to (this was no exception). I thought she and Clayton had little chemistry, but still enjoyable. So, this movie is about Taylor stepping out of her comfort zone, partly thanks to Josh. And isn't that lovely? Having someone who helps you overcome your fears and anxieties? I could see myself in Taylor but I wished it was that easy to make the next step. Other than that, there is nothing to highlight about the movie. This was filmed during the pandemic, so there aren't many more characters. The Sara storyline was unnecesary and Josh's daughter was boring. (sorry) An entertaining hour and twenty three minutes, but it won't go on my favourites list.

Favorite scene with Taylor Jones (Emilie Ullerup) - Challenge #5 - Be Spontaneous! Road Trip (30 Miles To Nowhere) and Goat Yoga with Josh. BTW, I Loved this movie!

For someone running a business,etc.. The way she acted about everything was ridiculous,basically shocked she could function getting out of bed to face the day. I love a cute story,but not stupid & corny combined. Also agree with others on her hair,honestly pick a color or colors,but make it look decent. Cinematography was decent,mostly what Hallmark has going for itself these days. Would I watch it,again? No!