Love Finds You In Charm Review
Love Finds You In Charm is the second film in UP TV’s “Love Finds You In” trilogy. Based on a novel by Annalisa Daughety, Love Finds You In Charm is a coming of age journey of self-discovery, as well as a charming romance, set within the Amish community.
Sense or Sensibility
Emma Miller (Danielle Chuchran) is a young Amish woman in the midst of personal introspection. Living vicariously (and secretly) through Jane Austen’s heroines, Emma yearns to try something new and see something more than the borders of the Amish community in which she was raised. The movie opens with Emma daydreaming about driving in a sports car with the top down and she’s practically about to break out into Belle’s song from Beauty and the Beast! “I want adventure in the great, wide somewhere. I want it more than I can tell. And for once it might be grand, to have someone understand. I want so much more than they’ve got planned.” Her life is safe and predictable. Emma wants to break free.
Different is nothing to be afraid of Emma. Different is different. You cannot be who you are not.
Her father, however, recognises his daughter’s restlessness and offers her the opportunity to help a relative in Charm, Ohio. Although her aunt is also Amish, the move to Ohio affords her the prospect of seeing and experiencing more of the world. Charm turns out to be a small town with a bustling community and soon Emma is participating as a local. Emma meets Kelly (Tiffany Dupont), an Englischer who has also come to Charm to try and make sense of her life. In that way, the two young women are grappling with similar challenges. Fast friends despite their differences, Emma is excited to see and experience the world through Kelly’s eyes, despite the reservations from her aunt.
RELATED: Love Finds You In Sugarcreek (2014): An Uplifting, Faith-Based Romance About Trust And The Power Of First Impressions
Emma also encounters Noah Weaver (Trevor Donovan), a handsome, well-read Amish young man who intrigues her with the combination of his faith and surprising understanding of the extended world. Noah and Emma connect and it seems as though she’s found a partner who complements her.
Producing award-winning cheese at the local market, flirting with the local prized Amish bachelor, Emma seems set. However, a spanner presents itself in the form of a big city food critic who takes a fancy to Emma’s cheese, as well as her sweet good looks. Before long, Andy (Drew Fuller) offers her the tempting opportunity to shed her small town ways and make it big in the city.
In Love Finds You In Charm, Emma must decide whether to embrace the known or choose to explore the unknown.
Out With The Old And In With The New
When anyone is attempting to choose a life partner, it’s intuitive that we’d want to find someone who shares our plans, aspirations, and dreams. In Love Finds You In Charm, Emma isn’t sure what she wants her life to look like and Danielle Chuchran is effective at conveying Emma’s struggle. The notion of an Amish woman grappling with her identity outside of the Amish community is fascinating and ripe with possibilities.
When you close your eyes, what do you see? Where do you go? What do you want?
Trevor Donovan is seriously channeling Chris Hemsworth as the blonde, toned Amish love interest. At one stage, he’s wiping his sweaty brow with the ends of his shirt and exposing a veritable brick wall of abs. Clearly, I was watching for the plot. Donovan is sweet, honest and meets Emma on an intellectual, as well as spiritual level. I enjoyed their dynamic immensely and was only sorry to see the dreaded love triangle appear.
RELATED: Previewing Hallmark Channel’s June Weddings Original Programs
Drew Fuller is dark haired and sinister, the symbolism quite clear when he is surrounded by the fair-haired heroes. He is the villain. He’s instantly in lust with Emma and dials up his charm in order to sweep her off her feet. Fuller has a lethal set of blue eyes. So while I hate a triangle, I could fully appreciate the battle between Hemsworth and Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome.
Rounding out the cast is Tiffany Dupont who is a welcome ball of energy. Her performance bristles with life and vitality and although not much more than a secondary character, her scenes are made memorable because of the liveliness of her performance.
Home Is Where The Heart Is
Have you ever wondered about your place in the world? Perhaps you grew up in a spiritual home, or perhaps not. Maybe you’ve reevaluated your choices and wondered, how did I get here? Or where to from here? These questions make Love Finds You In Charm relatable as our main character struggles to define her purpose and place. While her struggles include her Amish heritage and whether or not to explore a different way of life, ultimately her journey parallels that of anyone going through changes.
Everyone said that they had faith in me to make the right choices. But what I really needed was faith in myself. Faith that I would know the answers when they came.
My only complaint is the scope of the film. The subject matter is so interesting, I wish there was more time to explore it beyond the superficial trappings of an inevitable love story. Given slightly more care, Love Finds You In Charm has the potential to be a Hallmark Hall Of Famer.
Love Finds You In Charm is not a romantic mystery like Love Finds You In Sugarcreek that came before it. However, at its core, it continues to comment on the ties that bind families and communities.
Where to Watch: Love Finds You In Charm can be purchased on Amazon.
Content Note: Love Finds You In Charm is unrated but is safe for family viewing.
Have you watched Love Finds You In Charm? What did you think? Comment below and let me know!
Photo Credit: Mission Pictures International
OVERALL RATING
“Hello, Gorgeous.”
ROMANCE RATING
“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My
feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me
to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
ARE YOU A ROMANCE FAN? FOLLOW THE SILVER PETTICOAT REVIEW:
Our romance-themed entertainment site is on a mission to help you find the best period dramas, romance movies, TV shows, and books. Other topics include Jane Austen, Classic Hollywood, TV Couples, Fairy Tales, Romantic Living, Romanticism, and more. We’re damsels not in distress fighting for the all-new optimistic Romantic Revolution. Join us and subscribe. For more information, see our About, Old-Fashioned Romance 101, Modern Romanticism 101, and Romantic Living 101.