Review

"Come Fly with Me: A Turbulent Ride Through Hallmark’s Airspace"

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Hallmark movies and Hallmark holiday movies had a baby, and that baby decided to become a pilot, Come Fly with Me is your answer. This 2023 rom-com soars into theaters with all the subtlety of a 747 landing in a teacup. Buckle up, folks—this one’s a bumpy ride.

The plot is as predictable as a Hallmark movie’s third-act confession of love. Our heroine, a plucky flight attendant named Daisy (played by someone who looks like she’s never actually worked a day in her life), meets a brooding pilot named Captain McBrooderson (yes, that’s his actual name in my head). They hate each other at first, but then—shockingly—they don’t. Along the way, there’s a malfunctioning coffee machine, a lost puppy in the cargo hold, and a snowstorm that forces them to spend Christmas together in a remote cabin. Spoiler alert: they fall in love.

The dialogue is cheesier than a Hallmark holiday movie’s fondue scene. At one point, Daisy says, “Love is like turbulence—you never see it coming, but it shakes you to your core.” I’m pretty sure the entire audience groaned in unison. Meanwhile, Captain McBrooderson delivers lines like, “I’ve flown through storms, but nothing prepared me for the storm in your eyes.” Cue the collective eye-roll.

The supporting cast is a delightful mix of quirky coworkers and meddling family members. There’s the sassy best friend who exists solely to deliver one-liners, the wise old mechanic who dispenses life advice like he’s running a fortune cookie factory, and a precocious child who somehow knows more about love than the adults. It’s like the Hallmark Cinematic Universe threw a party and invited everyone but originality.

Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes—if your eyes enjoy an endless buffet of snowy landscapes, twinkling Christmas lights, and perfectly coiffed hair that somehow survives a 12-hour flight. The CGI turbulence is about as convincing as a Hallmark movie’s “New York City” set, but hey, who’s watching for realism?

In the end, Come Fly with Me is exactly what you’d expect: a fluffy, feel-good flick that’s as predictable as it is entertaining. It won’t win any Oscars, but it might win your heart—if you’re into Hallmark movies and Hallmark holiday movies, that is. Just don’t forget your emotional barf bag.

Rating: 3 out of 5 in-flight pretzels. Would watch again, but only if I’m trapped on a plane with no other options.