Review

"A Pinch of Portugal: Where Hallmark Movies Go on Vacation (and Get a Little Tipsy)"

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a Hallmark movie packed its bags, flew to Europe, and accidentally drank too much port wine, A Pinch of Portugal is your answer. This 2023 rom-com is like a Hallmark holiday movie, but with more cobblestone streets, fewer Christmas sweaters, and a lot more saudade (that’s Portuguese for “melancholic longing,” which is basically the entire plot).

The movie follows Clara, a quirky American baker who inherits a crumbling pastry shop in Lisbon from her estranged great-aunt. Naturally, she quits her job, hops on a plane, and immediately falls in love with the brooding but dreamy local handyman, Miguel. Spoiler alert: he’s also a secret pastry prodigy. Because of course he is.

The plot is as predictable as a Hallmark movie marathon, but with a twist: instead of a small-town Christmas tree lighting, there’s a festival dos pasteis de nata (custard tart festival, because Portugal). Instead of a snowball fight, there’s a very dramatic olive oil spill in the town square. And instead of a wise old grandma dispensing life advice, there’s a sassy parrot named Fernando who steals every scene he’s in.

The chemistry between Clara and Miguel is… well, let’s just say it’s about as believable as a Hallmark holiday movie couple falling in love in 72 hours. But who cares? The real star of the show is Portugal itself. The cinematography is so stunning, you’ll want to book a flight to Lisbon before the credits roll. And the food? Oh, the food. Every frame is a love letter to pastries, seafood, and wine. By the end of the movie, you’ll be Googling “how to make custard tarts” and “how to marry a Portuguese person.”

A Pinch of Portugal doesn’t reinvent the wheel—it just gives it a fresh coat of azulejo tiles and a glass of vinho verde. It’s cheesy, it’s charming, and it’s exactly what you’d expect from a movie that feels like Hallmark movies went on a European vacation and decided to stay. If you’re looking for a feel-good escape with a side of carbs, this one’s for you. Just don’t watch it on an empty stomach.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 custard tarts (and one sassy parrot).