Review

"The More Love Grows: A Hallmark Movie So Sweet, It Gave Me a Cavity"

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to watch a movie where absolutely nothing surprising happens, but you still feel weirdly invested, then The More Love Grows is the cinematic equivalent of a warm blanket and a cup of hot cocoa—except the cocoa is lukewarm, and the blanket smells faintly of cinnamon-scented predictability. Released in 2023, this film is the latest addition to the ever-expanding universe of Hallmark movies, where love always wins, small towns are inexplicably populated by impossibly attractive people, and no one ever checks their phone.

The plot is as follows: Emma (played by someone who looks like they’ve never had a bad hair day) moves back to her quaint hometown after her high-powered city job crumbles faster than a gingerbread house in a hurricane. She reconnects with her childhood best friend, Jake (who is, of course, a ruggedly handsome single dad with a heart of gold and a dog named something like "Buddy" or "Duke"). Together, they save the town’s annual Harvest Festival, fall in love, and remind us all that life is better when you’re surrounded by twinkle lights and folksy wisdom. Spoiler alert: There’s a montage of them baking pies.

Now, if you’re thinking, “This sounds like every other Hallmark holiday movie ever made,” you’re not wrong. But here’s the thing: The More Love Grows knows exactly what it is and leans into it with the subtlety of a reindeer crashing through your living room. The dialogue is so wholesome it could cure cynicism, and the chemistry between Emma and Jake is so PG-rated that even your grandma would approve. There’s even a scene where they accidentally touch hands while decorating a tree, and the tension is so palpable you’d think they were defusing a bomb.

What sets this movie apart from the sea of Hallmark movies is its self-awareness. At one point, Emma quips, “This feels like one of those cheesy holiday movies,” and Jake responds, “Maybe, but sometimes cheesy is exactly what you need.” And honestly? He’s not wrong. The More Love Grows is the cinematic equivalent of comfort food—predictable, a little over-the-top, but undeniably satisfying. It’s the kind of movie you watch while wearing fuzzy socks and pretending you don’t have a mountain of laundry to fold.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a film that will challenge your worldview or make you question the meaning of life, this is not it. But if you want to spend 90 minutes in a world where love always triumphs, small towns are magical, and everyone has a perfect smile, then The More Love Grows is the Hallmark holiday movie you didn’t know you needed. Just make sure to brush your teeth afterward—this level of sweetness is a dental hazard.