Plot Summary
David Danville, the son of popular columnist Kingston Danville, doesn’t want to go to college on a sports scholarship because he wants to be an artist, but he is afraid to tell his father. Thus, he tells his father’s girlfriend, Peyton MacGruder, which causes a conflict between them that confuses Peyton’s thoughts of love for Kingston. What’s more, her latest column mystery is making her wonder if true love even exists and if it’s even worth it or something.
Production Quality (2 points)
Taking a Chance on Love is once again a typical Hallmark production, with a few more quirks than usual. Video quality, camera work, and audio quality are fine as usual, but the soundtrack tends to be odd and annoying at times. Sets, locations, and props are also mostly realistic with some minor issues. The main problem is that editing tends to be confusing as this story is trying to be cut for a television length. However, many of these small issues can be easily overlooked, which makes this yet another business as usual production for the Hallmark team.
Plot and Storyline Quality (0 points)
Although the first installment in this ‘series’ had some amount of substance, this highly unnecessary and forced sequel lacks it in every way. The premise is very shallow and thin as it unsuccessfully tries to piggy-back on the success of the first film. This story is full of silly conflicts and romantic subplot clichés that are inevitably and easily resolved within the allotted time frame. Thus, the storyline overall is very empty, as are the characters. Cheap dialogue is used to speed the plot along and build the cheesy romance. The end result is a cringeworthy collection of plastic people. The other big issue is that there is barely any potential in this dead-end plot idea, not to mention the fact that not much happens here. Essentially, this film’s necessity is highly suspect.
Acting Quality (1 point)
Much like other casts that involve Ted McGinley, this one is very underwhelming. Besides Ted’s usual annoying and plastic presence, most emotions from the cast are fake and manufactured. Line delivery is extremely measured and robotic. However, not all is bad here, and there are at least a few good moments from the supporting cast members that keep this section from being nothing. Yet it doesn’t help the fact that this movie is basically pointless.
Conclusion
Sometimes movie companies will do anything to squeeze a sequel out of a slightly successful idea. In this case, the Hallmark crew just transposed the cheesiest possible romance story idea onto a flimsy premise and injected familiar characters into it. This is a very low-effort film with no risk-taking or creativity. The plastic nature of the people involved is very off-putting and annoying, which rounds out another day in the Hallmark business.
Final Rating: 3 out of 10 points
Box Office Revolution 