Just Add Romance (2019 TV Movie) User Reviews

Just Add Romance

[studioAT · 6/10 · 6 April 2021]

It's nice to see some fresh faces in a Hallmark film here, with Meghann Fahy in particular shining,

This film though is a bit let down by its own premise - we know that both the leads will make it through to the final of the cooking show otherwise there's no film. This robs it of drama a little.

I did think the leads had nice chemistry though, and that there were some nice moments.

Good overall.

maybe too friendly, but very cute and love the actors

[novagirl11 · 7/10 · 11 March 2019]

The competition was probably too friendly, but of course it IS Hallmark! I like Meghann Fahy and look forward to seeing her in more shows/movies. I hope Luke MacFarlane gets more roles too!

Another cooking movie.....

[bellafloor-69563 · 7/10 · 3 March 2019]

Hallmark has made plenty of cooking romances but I truly loved this one. A nice story and good played. I was happily surprised. You should watch it for an evening with your friend.

It's one to watch!

[MIssM19 · 7/10 · 4 March 2019]

Carley (Meghann Fahy) and Jason (Luke MacFarlane) went to cooking school together. Due to personal reasons, he disappeared, and it's not until three years later than the both of them reunite in a famous cooking show, whose winner gets a restaurant of their own.

While we have ENOUGH of cooking Hallmark movies, this one is a bit different. It's a different dynamic that still allows the character to spend time together while being in competition with each other.

This is my third Luke MacFarlane movie in last two weeks and I don't get tired of him. He is charming, easy to the eye, and his characters are always likeable. Meghann Fahy is new to the Hallmark scenery (a movie with Sam Page would have been so good!. If you know, you know ;) and she did great. The chemistry was amazing. I hope we get more of her.

I was so happy that some of the cliche we are so used to weren't in this movie. The less cliches, the better! This one is a must watch.

Well written given the subject matter

[phd_travel · 7/10 · 8 March 2019]

For people who don't have patience to sit through a cooking competition reality show this is a nice shortcut.

Luke MacFarlane and Megann Fahy play rivals in the competition many years after meeting in culinary school. There is a pleasant banter between the two. The romance escalates as the contest moves to a resort. How are the two going to deal with a romance and competing?

The food is not quite in the foreground considering it's a cooking based movie. But the dialog is cute without being annoying. And the characters are likeable. You want to see who wins.

Ok for a watch.

Reliable Hallmark charms lifted by an engaging cast

[Aussie-Byrd-Brother · 7/10 · 6 March 2019]

Kelly (Meghann Fahy) and Jason (Luke Macfarlane) compete on a famed cooking show for the chance to win their own restaurant, but can they find a balance between showing off their culinary skills and confronting their emerging affection for each-other?

'Just Add Romance' is perhaps not always the most exciting or fast paced of the Hallmark movies, the resolution at the end of the film is pretty easy to pick right from the start, and it even covers quite a lot of ground that all those real TV cooking shows already do! Also, frequent Hallmark junkies, you'll need to decide if you're happy with one of the regular 'no kissing before the finale' rules possibly being broken!

But even in its slowest moments, Luke Macfarlane is, of course, charming as always and really an old pro at this sort of thing now with so many HM films on his resume, and the newcoming lady Meghann Fahy (such exquisite eyes!) already shows a lovely screen presence, and she will likely get even warmer in these roles if she gets to make more HM flicks in the future.

Special mention should also go to Brittney Wilson, who plays the dorky blonde TV assistant with the glasses, as she deserves to get a lead role in her very own HM flick!

A nice film, completely held up at all times by the superior cast, and a very reliable option for those seeking an easy-going Hallmark love-fest.

Romance that could have done with a little more flavour, but it's cooked at least

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 5 May 2022]

'Just Add Romance' was watched because of primarily liking the two leads in other things, especially the always watchable Luke Macfarlane. Hallmark's output varied in 2019 but enough films from it were decent and more, even those with tried and tested premises. Anything revolving around competitions or the culinary world is a tried and tested premise for Hallmark, and has varied in execution in particularly the character writing and storytelling.

Luckily, 'Just Add Romance' ended up being one of the worth watching 2019 Hallmark films (primarily for the two leads). It is not as good as the other culinary-themed 2019 Countdown to Valentines Day film 'Love on the Menu', but it nearly is and has nearly all that film's good things despite not being as fresh. As far as Hallmark's 2019 films go, 'Just Add Romance' compares favourably while not being one of the best. Maybe the flavour is not always there, but at least it's cooked.

It is a very predictable film, with all the major events and how it's all going to end being pretty much obvious from the start for anybody familiar with the formula the film closely follows.

Maybe the pace could have been tighter in spots, it dragged a little going into the final third. Which did seem on the too neat and formulaic side to me, with an ending that could have slowed down.

However, a lot works. Meghann Fahy has a huge amount of perky charm and Macfarlane is his usual easy going and subtly charming self. Neither overplay and neither go through the motions, and their characters are likeable and not ciphers. Their chemistry is very genuine and never felt false or bland. It was great that it was not underused and didn't play fiddle to any conflict concerning the competition. The supporting cast is solid.

While with nothing original, the setting is affectionate and makes one inspired to cook and the conflict doesn't come over as forced or personality-free (despite it being one that has been seen many times). Enough of the story is light hearted and charming and the script doesn't come over as too cheesy or too schmaltzy, neither does the banter feel like it's trying too hard. It's a pleasing looking film, particularly the scenery, and the music fits the mood and doesn't come over as overwrought.

Overall, nice. 7/10.

Lots of kissing in this one!

[stevewyzard · 8/10 · 4 March 2019]

Yet another winner from Hallmark: loved it from beginning to end!

The best thing about Just Add Romance is that it's almost a satire of Food Network's show Chopped, even down to the other contestants being familiar archetypes: one is out of their depth, one is vivacious and positive, one is cynical and jaded, and one is arrogant and self-satisfied. It's a nice touch when the contestants all end up liking and respecting each other in spite of the competition.

Also different from other Hallmark movies is that the two protagonists realize they like each other almost from the beginning, rather than finally figuring it out at the very end. The plot revolves around their efforts to keep the romance going in spite of their different cooking styles and competing against each other.

Go Hallmark Go!

For serious foodies

[MickyG333 · 7/10 · 30 March 2023]

6.8 stars.

Guy and girl are in culinary school together getting acquainted and share an immediate bond. They tease each other incessantly. He suddenly has to leave school for some emergency, and she finishes school and is hired to work under a well known chef elsewhere. Jump forward 3 years. They eventually meet again, as is common with the Hallmark trope. The odds of this are infinitesimal, especially since it's in a big city, namely Chicago. She isn't even from Chicago. They are both chefs now and are accepted into a contest, a chance of a lifetime, go figure they are both competing for the same thing...

This is another one of those not-in-a-million-years would this happen situations, but why not? It's all fiction romance anyways and coincidences happen.

"Just Add Romance" had promise, but actually declines as it continues rather than the usual improvement as it goes. The acting is robotic, the dialogue is dull and forced, and the mystique is vacant. Where is the allure, the attraction? The acting is too wooden with no chemistry and the supporting characters have way too many cheesy lines.

Is this a story about a woman trying to mend her relationship with her father? Maybe it's a mix of many equal plot lines, but none of them is exciting enough to pique my interest, and there are too many predictable situations.

The last several minutes takes a turn for the better, and there is a tender twist with the romance, but too little too late. All in all the script feels like it was written by an amateur and the movie is sort of a mess.

needs seasoning

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 1 July 2019]

Carly Benson (Meghann Fahy) and Jason Tucker (Luke Macfarlane) are friendly rivals in cooking class in Chicago. Unbeknownst to each other, they apply for TV cooking competition, Kitchen Showdown. The two resume their combative rivalry until a budding romance get in the way.

They are photogenic. They smile. They simmer but there is no explosive chemistry. This is strictly warmed up leftovers. There are no great turns or big jolts. They are doing the show and there should be cameras constantly following them around. This lacks stuff. This should be ready for some food porn but this doesn't take advantage. Even as a Hallmark romance, this is lacking.

Great Family Movie

[ghwiebel · 8/10 · 10 April 2020]

My daughters loved the movie. Fun and clean storyline. Great to see father's and their adult children bond and build deeper meaningful relationships.

It's like reheated frozen pizza

[roboterrr · 4/10 · 6 March 2022]

It's not bad, but it could have been so much better.

The movie seemed a bit unrealistic at times, especially at the end, as well as predictable. The drama and the conflict were completely unnecessary, and at one point, you can tell that it indeed was unnecessary. Of course it all ends well, I mean, it IS a rom-com, I don't know what I expected.

The entire conflict gets resolved at the end and all the buildup and tension don't matter. The only falling out between the main couple is resolved within, like, 5 minutes, and it turns out to be a big misunderstanding, which after watching more than 5 episodes of Modern Family you can tell it is not as big of a deal as it seems.

Other than the plot, it wasn't really comedic at any point, but at least it wasn't awkward, and I actually enjoyed the first half of the movie (funny enough it was the part where they were still just friends, the movie could've worked without being a rom-com in my opinion) and I could have enjoyed it fully if I turned my brain off and didn't criticize it as much.

Overall, it didn't try too hard to be quirky or over the top, yet it has nothing special to it. I wouldn't mind if I had to watch it again, but if I got to choose, I wouldn't.

A bit more original than most Hallmark shows

[SunnyDaise · 9/10 · 12 March 2021]

This is a fun reality competition movie - with the suspense of a whodunnit without the murder, I kept getting engrossed in the cook offs, forgetting it's rom(com)! Hallmark's stars are all gorgeous, but Luke M is one of their more convincing LGBT actors in a straight part, usually connecting a bit deeper with the female leads. The big cast of kid, competitors etc and their parents works well for a family-friendly show. I like that it's non-seasonal, so can be seen any time of the year ... but don't watch if you're on a diet, it'll make you hungry!

Cast

[judyharl · 4/10 · 6 August 2020]

Meghan not much of an actress Luke McFarlane very good most of the hallmark actresses are mediocre like watching a repetitious soap opera.. Stories so obvious too ritsy too polished nothing left to imagination .stories like a college transcript

A Hallmark friendly and delightful cooking competition

[racer29 · 9/10 · 4 March 2019]

Only on Hallmark do they produce such a nice, friendly and respectful competition. In this case it was a cooking competition. The leads were both super and had such a natural flow and attraction that I got totally wrapped up in their enjoyment of each other.

The plot had a few twists with conflicts, but they were resolved using respect and openness. Such a a great thing to see and I would recommend children see how conflict in competition can be handled with respect and openness.

Luke was super as the lead male and I have liked him in his other Hallmark shows. I hope he gets more Hallmark shows or maybe in a mystery series. Meghann was also great but was new to me and Hallmark.

The supporting cast filled in nicely and the filming locations were elegant and nice to see. Very enjoyable 2 hours and I will watch it several more times just to enjoy their joyful journey.

Could have been ok

[manfredpeter-09628 · 3/10 · 6 August 2020]

Leads and cast good but manufactured and unrealistic conflict presented last 15 minutes really made me mad. All that gossip and lounging around during cooking show too stupid.

Luke MacFarlane - Wow

[jewhitmer25 · 8/10 · 20 August 2021]

Luke MacFarlane never disappoints, he always delivers a stellar performance, Meghan Fahy was new to me, but she did a marvelous job too. Great chemistry.

Very good movie. Worth multiple viewings.

My advice - watch this movie.

So difficult to watch

[myseagrape · 1/10 · 10 March 2019]

I love and watch almost all Hallmark movies, and I really like Luke Macfarlane. But I'm sorry, this movie is so bad. These actors really should have spent some time researching how it is to work in a restaurant and/or to be in a cooking competition. The attraction between the to main characters is flat and none of the movie is believable. If you have ever worked in a restaurant, watched a cooking show, or even cooked a meal in your home, you will have to overlook all the flaws. The judges And contestants are supposed to be passionate about food and cooking, but you can't tell. I also noticed a couple mistakes with the editing, and I wasn't looking for any, so there is probably more. And Isn't there usually steam coming from a pot or pan that is cooking on a burner? And shouldn't there be a flame under that pan that is cooking over gas heat? Come on, use CG if you don't want to do it while filming . (No these are not the editing mistakes I saw).. Just a bad movie all around.

Give me all of Meghann Fahy

[Whitneywest10 · 10/10 · 4 October 2020]

Honestly, I was here for Meghann and as always, she didn't disappoint. I think she could be filmed watching paint dry and I would tune in. Get this girl in some Christmas (and Fall) movies ASAP! The move was cute of course. I love the 'want everyone to win' attitude. Even if I did find myself really hungry watching this. I enjoyed the other characters and the story.

Cute premise

[toncincin · 5/10 · 10 March 2019]

This movie is a tad bit different from the normal Hallmark plot. My only question is: Are there any STRAIGHT male leads? As far as Hallmark goes - must not be. Hard to watch ...

A Romance Movie + A Cooking Show! Count me in!

[AngelCullen · 10/10 · 15 June 2020]

A combination of two of my favorite types of shows ... Hallmark movies and cooking show! so What's not to love! Great cast and a super fun and entertaining story line!

Love every HallMark

[dullersandy · 10/10 · 28 December 2020]

I stay up all night so I hardly miss any of the movies. I wake up at noon and all I watch is Hallmark channel. I am 80 and I absolutely love Your channel and there is not one movie I would not give 5 stars including this one. Because of this self imposed isolation I never miss one. This is a horrible Virus but you actors and actresses have been practically my only Thing that keeps me going.

Why

[ltmedic72 · 8/10 · 22 June 2021]

Why do Hallmark movies pretend to be in the states, but are so obviously filmed in Canada?

I'm not complaining, but I continue to see the same locations over and over.

There's a few stock phone in Chicago in this one, but by and large it's Canada.

Pleasant movie however.

They kiss before the last five minutes!

[rightisright · 8/10 · 3 March 2019]

A Hallmark movie that breaks the rules! But seriously, I hope they've signed Luke MacFarlane to a long term contract. His smooth charm carries any movie! And add in the tasty Meghann Fahy, and you have a winner. I

generally a good recipe for romance and cooking

[celticwarrior_amazonwoma · 8/10 · 2 February 2020]

I preface my review by saying I've been cooking for a living for years and on the one hand I am drawn to watching any movie that revolves around cooking or baking, because it's a passion. On the other hand, most are so outlandishly inaccurately representing the reality of cooking, they become almost too painful to watch. That being said I could sit here and list all the blatant reasons this is one of those. Like their first day in culinary school they would never have been making souffle. The knife skills are appalling. Why did I give it an 8? because the list of errors is actually not that long. And the personalities of the contestants are bang on. And those 2 main characters have great chemistry (have seen both in a few Hallmark-ish movies. Great dynamic all in all. And taking all that into account, it's palatable as far as rom coms go. Literally like I said I critique every movie I watch that has cooking in it, and 99 percent of them are unbearable to watch. So yeah, if you dont mind the odd mistake or if you dont cook and dont notice or care, the movie as a whole is pretty entertaining both on a cooking and competition show level and a romance level. The remaining errors I will not list. because they are small, and dont drown out the plot.