Review

"Game of Love: A Hallmark Movie That Forgot to Bring the Hallmark"

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a Hallmark movie and a soap opera had a baby, Game of Love is here to answer that question. Released in 2023, this film is like a Hallmark holiday movie, but without the snow, the cozy sweaters, or the charming small-town bakeries. Instead, we get… well, a lot of awkward dialogue and a plot that feels like it was written by someone who binge-watched every Hallmark movie ever made and then tried to recreate one from memory while half-asleep.

The story follows Emma (played by someone who looks like she’s auditioning for a Hallmark holiday movie but accidentally walked onto the wrong set), a workaholic city girl who returns to her hometown to sell her late grandmother’s house. Enter Jake (a guy who clearly owns at least three flannel shirts), the ruggedly handsome handyman who just so happens to be her high school sweetheart. Cue the predictable banter, the forced chemistry, and the obligatory scene where they accidentally spill paint on each other while renovating the house. Spoiler alert: they fall in love. Shocking, I know.

What sets Game of Love apart from your typical Hallmark movies is its uncanny ability to make you question every life choice that led you to watch it. The dialogue is so cheesy it could be served at a fondue party, and the plot twists are so predictable you’ll feel like you’ve already seen this movie 47 times—because, let’s be honest, you probably have. The only thing missing is a wise old neighbor who dispenses life advice while holding a tray of freshly baked cookies.

That said, if you’re a fan of Hallmark movies, you might still enjoy this one. It’s got all the tropes: the small-town charm (sort of), the second-chance romance (kind of), and the obligatory montage of the leads doing quirky things like feeding ducks or dancing in the rain (okay, fine, there’s no rain, but there’s definitely a duck). Just don’t expect it to be the next Christmas in Evergreen.

In conclusion, Game of Love is like a Hallmark holiday movie that got lost on its way to the Hallmark Channel and ended up on a streaming service you forgot you subscribed to. It’s not great, but it’s not terrible either. It’s just… there. Like that one relative who shows up to every family gathering and tells the same story every time. You know the one.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 flannel shirts.