Well, it’s February, and you know what that means: time to throw on the cheesiest, lovey-dovey Hallmark romances imaginable.
Hallmark movies and Valentine’s Day go hand in hand, and this month, the channel has a perfect rom-com watch for the real lovers out there.
An Unexpected Valentine stars Hallmark mainstays Lacey Chabert and Robert Buckley as an unlikely duo united by their search for the owner of a lost engagement ring.
Watch With Us loves love, and we love Hallmark movies too. We think An Unexpected Valentine will sate your thirst for a sappy love story.
The Premise Is Cute, Hooky and Original
There’s obviously a glut of Hallmark rom-coms with similar premises, but An Unexpected Valentine manages to take things in a slightly different direction. The film follows Buckley’s Finn, an artistic photographer (who is, of course, a bit cynical about love) living in New York City and forced to supplement his income by being a driver for a car service. Meanwhile, chocolate maker Hannah (Chabert) is a romantic optimist, and the two cross paths on Valentine’s Day when Hannah gets into Finn’s car for a ride. In the backseat, she discovers a ring box with an engagement ring inside in the back seat, and rather than Finn bringing it to his company’s lost and found, Hannah convinces him to search for the owner with her.
The two disparate people end up embarking on a city-wide race to find the owner of the lost ring, who could be only one of three riders Finn had that day, but both are on a time crunch to make their later appointments. Of course, on their journey, Hannah and Finn end up making an “unexpected” connection with one another. While we all know where An Unexpected Valentine will go in the end, the journey to getting there is fun, exciting and genuinely a bit unexpected. The movie offers a fresh take on a familiar kind of plot that has plenty of engaging obstacles and a satisfying payoff.
The Chemistry Between Chabert and Buckley Is Irresistible
Chabert is a Hallmark veteran and always a delight to see on our screens, and Buckley, too, has been a familiar face in Hallmark shows like Chesapeake Shores and movies like The Christmas House and Love in Store. Together, these Hallmark celebs make movie magic. Chabert brings her usual charm and grace to the role of Hannah, while Buckley is endearing to watch as his day with Hannah turns him from a romance cynic to a newly-converted lover. Together, Hannah and Finn explore the surprisingly clean streets of New York City and happen upon all sorts of Valentine’s Day-related activities that only make their burgeoning affections grow stronger.
Ultimately, it’s a joy to watch these two characters go from strangers to something more over the course of the movie, and An Unexpected Valentine is also refreshing in the way it sidesteps any sort of “friends-to-lovers” or “enemies-to-lovers” tropes. The film’s more laid-back vibes (atypical for a Hallmark film) only add to the enjoyment of watching Chabert and Buckley together, and the two feel totally in sync. Even if you aren’t a romantic, you may find yourself won over by their mutual charms.
It’s the Perfect Valentine’s Day Watch
Whether you’re spending Valentine’s Day at home with some wine and chocolate or spending it snuggled up with a significant other, An Unexpected Valentine does its job of being fantastic viewing for the holiday. The optimistic, wish-fulfillment fantasy of the narrative is perfect for those of us like Finn, in need of some romantic warmth to melt our cold hearts. It’s also a great watch for those of us who are coupled up and looking to share the Valentine’s Day evening, indulging in adorable romance with the person you love.
An Unexpected Valentine is cozy and familiar, but also surprising in the best ways — making it perfect for the holiday that’s all about embracing corny, cookie-cutter displays of love and leaning into escapist reveries. Plus, there are some bizarre plot holes and nonsensical non sequiturs that add to the pure entertainment value. You might find yourself fixated on the fact that this version of NYC has ample available street parking and a shockingly sparse amount of traffic, or the chocolate purse subplot that totally defies logic. Whatever your reasoning may be, you can’t go wrong by streaming An Unexpected Valentine right now, as Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.
Stream An Unexpected Valentine on Netflix.
