Love Struck Café (2017 TV Movie) User Reviews

Love Struck Café

[studioAT · 7/10 · 2 February 2021]

I thought this was a better than average Hallmark film, with some lovely points made about 1st love, change and staying true to your beliefs.

The boyfriend character was quite annoying and full of himself, so that only made me root for the woman's childhood flame more.

Overall, lovely stuff. Yes, these films follow a formula, but they certainly are enjoyable.

An okay Hallmark movie.

[jrallios · 5/10 · 3 April 2020]

This movie was your typical Hallmark fare. The thing that irritated me, and it's kind of petty, was that Megan was fixing "healthy" food for her father. He was healing up from a broken ankle and all she fixed that poor guy was salads. The man needs protein and he kept asking for meat. She in turn kept saying that while she was taking care of him he would be eating healthy. I agree, salads are healthy, but a moderate amount of meat is too. I think the writer was a vegetarian.... totally ridiculous. He would never get his strength back just eating greens.

Didn't make me love struck

[TheLittleSongbird · 5/10 · 19 December 2021]

There is always at least one reason for wanting to see a film etc with me, in 'Love Struck Cafe's' case it was Andrew Walker. He is one of Hallmark's most regularly used actors and very popular, and to me the appeal is more than understandable. As he is one of the better and more consistent regulars, despite his filmography being very up and down. The premise did intrigue, could feel myself relating to the issues that were being explored, and had real potential to work.

'Love Struck Cafe' however is another one of those films with a premise that sounds good but the execution underwhelms. Of the three 2017 Fall Harvest films seen, the others being 'Falling for Vermont' (which to me was good and executed its equally serious theme much better) and 'Harvest Love' (which left me very conflicted), 'Love Struck Cafe' for me was the weakest and it is a case of one performance being significantly better than the film itself.

Walker is the best thing about it. His character was very frustrating, especially when he makes a decision that repeats the relationship's past history and shows no regret at the end, but Walker made a conscientious effort in bringing charm and heart as well as nuance. Did like Cassidy Nugent too, she isn't too cute and she isn't spoiled or annoying.

It is a nice looking film, with beautiful scenery that the photography doesn't waste. There are touching and charming moments and it starts off quite well. Did think that the music was quite pleasant and what is said about change and following your beliefs were relatable.

Sarah Jane Morris didn't do it for me though, found her character too cold and neurotic and didn't buy her nonsensical motivations in regard to her job (which made her every bit as frustrating as Walker's character). Morris fails to bring much warmth to the role and seemed uncomfortable. She and Walker don't illicit much chemistry together and the conflict felt forced, it would have helped if the relationship was developed a lot and if the film didn't try to do too much through one or two too many subplots.

Also found the ending very unrealistic, the pacing is rushed from trying to cram in a lot in too short a space of time and what happens is too convenient and not warranted. The dialogue is not natural and can be too soapy. The pace is erratic, sometimes fine, sometimes draggy from over stretching and then too hasty in the over-stuffed final quarter. The supporting characters are flat and the lead ones have motivations that are vague and improbable. The most likeable character actually is Nugent's.

Overall, didn't click enough for me regrettably. 5/10.

nice

[Kirpianuscus · 23 September 2018]

...and sweet and charming and lovely and touching. As many others Hallmark films. Illustration of old romantic recipe, it is the classic love story and repair of the past error. Like each film of its genre, it has a gift , saving a part of predictable story. In this case, the gift is the performance of Dolores Drake who propose a more than inspired Frances Figgins . Short, a well known end and a nice love story.

Not Good Enough

[athompsonblue · 6/10 · 16 November 2021]

First of all, Meagan set out to pursue a career as an architect, not a Mob enforcer. She may be good at customer service, but her boss can't expect her to just bend a stubborn property owner to her will.

Secondly, the movie juggled too many plotlines: The lake property, the cafe, and the first love.

Finally, the male love interest stopped being likable when he stormed off in a huff. I would have accepted Meagan forgiving him for dumping her twelve years ago. But when he does it again, she should take it as an indication of what kind of pattern she can expect in the future -- he'll continue jumping to conclusions and making rash decisions without consulting her. He doesn't even apologize when they get together at the end.

Average Hallmark movie but miscast

[jml1988 · 6/10 · 5 November 2019]

The storyline and setting were charming as always, but I felt that Megan was miscast. For someone who was supposed to be SO great with people, she came across as cold and unsure of herself, and looked way too old for the role. The male lead looked younger and not a match at all for Megan.

Why have self respect when you can have a man who doesn't respect you?

[sean-31607 · 3/10 · 29 October 2017]

The overall story arc is disappointing. Man breaks up with the girl he wanted to marry without an explanation to her, she later finds out that it was because he didn't want to hold her back from her dreams, she remembers her feelings for him 12 years later after he's been married, had a kid, and widowed. He then abandons her again, and still she write him a note telling him she'll be his forever. That's when they get back together.

So, without taking her feelings into consideration he walks away from her twice and still she gets together with him. He doesn't apologize for doing it or for not talking to her about his concerns, doesn't admit he was wrong either time, just wins the prize when it's convenient for him to do so.

This isn't a love story, it's the story of a woman who wants a man who doesn't respect her. She may love him, but his actions just don't show him loving her at all. As a guy I find the this dude reprehensible and wouldn't want him dating my sister or daughter.

Cute but predictable

[krburt-55789 · 9/10 · 23 March 2018]

I scored it quite highly for how good it is because it's right up my street. The kind of movie where nothing 'really' bad happens and they are all happy at the end. It warms my heart and makes me smile. It is a hallmark movie, so you either love them or you think they're cringy!

Another Hallmark Harvest Fest Dud

[Jackbv123 · 4/10 · 21 October 2017]

This is the third dud, I believe in as many weeks, in Hallmark's Harvest Fest premieres. This does not bode well for future Hallmark Saturday nights. I only hope they put most of their concentration, quality-wise, into Countdown to Christmas.

Megan has a yes sir personality and her boss makes a totally unreasonable demand that she bail him out in 3 days for what he couldn't do in who knows how much time. She should have stood up to him and told him so because clearly whether she succeeded or not, she wasn't going to like it there. But she goes home intent to do his will and immediately starts saying yes to virtually everyone who asked for anything, most of which diverted her from her most important task. At times she didn't even seem to care that she had a deadline as she sat around in a waitress outfit chatting with the other waitress. Apparently she didn't even notice that her firms design destroyed the beautiful landscape it was building on. Megan had a good heart but was a total wimp. Basically the entire setup for this story was horrible, even worse than most romance movies which we expect and allow to have some unrealistic aspects.

Poor Andrew Walker. He was good. He tried to have chemistry with Sarah Morris and did to some degree. I frankly didn't notice whether Morris' acting was any good because I so much disrespected her character.

Of course the ending is totally unrealistic too, but it would be spoilers to discuss what I hated about it.

An amazing Fall movie: at last!

[MIssM19 · 8/10 · 17 October 2017]

We have a Fall Harvest 2017 favorite. Well done Hallmark. Don't get me wrong, this movie is still the formula we all know: girl from the country currently living in a big town has to come back home and runs into ex, yet above average. This one made me remember why I love these movies.

After the not-so-good movies Hallmark has been delivering I started this without much enthusiasm (Let's be real, Andrew W. Walker was the reason) and I'm glad I watched it.

I'm not gonna lie: Sarah Jane Morris and Andrew made me feel things, okay? After more than a decade their characters meet again and they start spending time together and reconnecting. Megan also gets to know Joe's daughter Lily who is adorable. All of this, of course, happens during that Fall Festival of that small town.

Megan had a boyfriend in the movie (and let me tell it's an actor that always plays THAT character we all dislike) and for once i'm glad that he is not the self-centered guy we are used to see. So points for that. Another aspect that surprised me were the flashbacks! I've only seen this element on 2 or 3 movies and they were always one or two but we get to see a few moments of their time together and I loved it!

The story/plot made sense. The characters were great. And the combination of Andrew, someone we already know, and Sarah, that we don't, was great.

A must watch.

Textbook Hallmark

[rebekahrox · 3/10 · 19 October 2017]

Nothing special at all. Not much to like here other than the reliable Andrew Walker. I am sure he appreciates the paycheck and the work as an actor, but if he is not careful, he is going to be labeled the Crown Prince of Hallmark movies. I mean, how many of these things has he been in? I didn't understand the motivations of the heroine. Completely nonsensical. She is given the assignment to convince an old friend and neighbor to sell her property so her boss can encase a beautiful country lake setting in a concrete monstrosity of a residential development. She knows this is a horrendous idea, yet blithely does her best trying to get the nice lady to sign on the dotted line. Why? because of a vague promise of maybe she can be promoted to an architect? To keep a job with a firm that obviously is the lowest of the low? Why would anyone of any character put up with this? She compromises her integrity and endangers a bucolic picturesque ideal location for a resort. Of course she ends up designing a more suitable project, which her stupid boss (surprise, surprise) just loves. This one was kind of insulting, actually.

Lather, Rinse, Repeat

[caseybones · 4/10 · 10 March 2018]

Typical formulaic Hallmark slop with the ending of the story blindingly apparent at the 12 minute mark.

They advertize this as part of the Harvest offerings but, as usual, aside from stapling some ripe apples to a tree and putting a pumpkin on a bale of hay, there is no hint of autumn in this mess. They have stopped even pretending to make things realistic, every deciduous tree is leafy and green.

And, speaking of color, the entire cast with the exception of a good-hearted waitress, is white as the driven snow. Apparently Hispanics, Asians, or people of color are not welcome on Hallmark lots. Maybe because only long haired Caucasians can wear the same giant-sized curling ironed hairstyle that all Hallmark female actors wear these days.

Stock characters (girl who went off to the big city and made good has a workaholic boyfriend, small town ex-boyfriend with dead wife and adorable child, down to earth townies) live in idyllic place that the Big Bad Corporate types want to destroy.

Idiotic and implausible story line where demanding boss sets impossible deadline for girl to meet. And then, miracle of miracles, a last minute brainstorm (four minutes before the deadline) saves the day, the heroine, the town, the company, and the big love story.

It only got above a 2 rating because of the lake.

Movie makes you smile

[theydrivebynight · 8/10 · 15 May 2021]

Fun from start to end. Andrew Walker delivers the charm. The film is bright with colors and life, upbeat, wholesome and makes you feel good. Most films can not do that so this is one of the best.

Try another Hallmark movie instead

[kuna16-423-376882 · 4/10 · 21 April 2020]

They tried, they failed. The script, the acting, the relationship between the main characters is forced. It was almost painful to watch. There are so many other great Hallmark movies to watch instead of this one. Andrew Walker is the only good part of this disaster of a movie.

Nice movie good characters

[rhonnie-43139 · 9/10 · 12 March 2021]

I think this movie is really sweet. It is well-written and the actors are all talented. There are moments of humor and regret - played well by the main characters.

Good ending. I will watch it again.

I like this movie even if my first love isn't my forever love

[laramia-garcia · 5/10 · 24 August 2019]

My first love is not my forever love. I have let him go long a year before I decided to almost elope with my boyfriend at seventeen. I just saw my "future" that thankfully wasn't etched or set in stone, and I didn't like it.

The one that got away is now happily married with a wonderful person, they have three wonderful kids, and one is married. Hopefully they would have a grandchild soon.

So why do I like this movie? Well, not entirely, but here are the plus points:

One, Casey Manderson is not so bad in this flick. He is so typecast, but I'm glad they gave his role a twist.

Two, Sarah Jane and Andrew have chemistry...yes, maybe it's not great...I kinda like Jordyn(18-year-old Megan) and Nicholas(18-year-old Joe)'s chemistry more...but it works.

I liked what Rosie Quinn reminded us(written somewhere in her Cafe): Don't tell people your dream. Show them.

I also like Frances Figgins and what she stands for.

I like Lily. I kinda think she's the real reason they split up. So she could be born. Well, I dunno. One could argue if they didn't split up, Megan could've been her mother. Oh well.

My top reason for liking this flick is ANDREW W. WALKER. ;-) As for his character (look below)...

********

Remember when I said I like it, but not entirely?

There are many things I didn't like.

For one, she's supposed to be a bright and talented woman...Megan, I mean...and yet, she didn't tell her boss that the lake meant something. Why wait the last moment? Why make her seemingly stupid? She had many chances. Her overbearing boss deserved a kick . He said he read her resume. Instead of promoting her first, he gave her an assignment...if she was doing such a good job, and he knows what's she's capable of. then he didn't give her an incentive. He played with her "feelings"...with her dream of becoming an architect. He needed her PEOPLE SKILLS so he made her wanting to become an architect so much as bait. Just because they are one of the top companies...haist.

Oh, and I agree with EVERYTHING sean-31607 said, and most of what these reviewers said: MIssM19 and darkavenger77. They kind of read my mind.

I guess that's that.

Thanks for your time.

Best of Fall Harvest 2017

[jonathanrspalding · 8/10 · 19 October 2017]

As a fan of this genre for reasons I can never fully explain I have enjoy these movies. I think fall harvest 2017 has been below average and dull. This is an exception to that rule.

This is a good movie not only for halmark, but for TV in general. It has nuance (never a Halmark strong point), heart, and a little drama. While adhering to the halmark formula it hides the ball well enough to give a little suspense. I have to say I did not fully love the ending, too easy and convenient and everyone gets everything, and it really did not have funny or light moments but all and all it was a good movie.

Hopefully this will be a prelude to a great season of Christmas movies, Halmark, your fans are waiting.

Fantastic movie

[aksqwhite · 10/10 · 20 March 2018]

Very well made and the storyline was fantastic Worth watching

Much Better than Rated...

[JazzCat64 · 9/10 · 28 August 2022]

A lot of people rated this lower than it should have been but to each is own. Good leads and the story were cute as it was dealing with first love. I am surprised that I don't see Sarah Jane Morris as the lead in more of these movies because she is one hundred times better than the majority of Hallmark female leads. I have seen her all over TV as guest on several shows in the past, but I don't get why she hasn't obtained a permanent part on shows like Chicago's or Blue Bloods (perfect as challenge for Danny). She has it all, beauty, perfect smile, play off her male leads well and she can act. I don't get it!!