Review

"Betty’s Bad Luck in Love: A Rom-Com So Predictable, Even Hallmark Movies Are Blushing"

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a Hallmark holiday movie and a soap opera had a baby, Betty’s Bad Luck in Love is here to answer that question. Released in 2024, this film is a masterclass in clichés, complete with a quirky small town, a bakery that somehow stays afloat despite Betty’s constant mishaps, and a love interest who looks like he was genetically engineered in a lab to star in Hallmark movies.

The plot follows Betty (played by the ever-charming but perpetually unlucky-in-love Clara Finch), a woman whose dating life is so cursed, she makes black cats and broken mirrors look like good omens. After her latest breakup (caused by a rogue squirrel at a picnic—don’t ask), Betty swears off love forever. But then, enter Jack (the impossibly handsome and suspiciously single Liam Hart), a ruggedly good-looking carpenter who just so happens to be in town to renovate her bakery. Spoiler alert: sparks fly, but only after Betty trips over a ladder, spills flour on his face, and accidentally sets a batch of cookies on fire.

The movie is essentially a checklist of every rom-com trope you’ve ever seen. There’s the obligatory montage of Betty and Jack doing cute small-town activities (apple picking, ice skating, and, of course, decorating a Christmas tree—because this is basically a Hallmark holiday movie in disguise). There’s the quirky best friend who exists solely to deliver sage advice and one-liners. And let’s not forget the ex-boyfriend who shows up at the worst possible moment to stir up drama.

What sets Betty’s Bad Luck in Love apart from your average Hallmark movie is its self-awareness. The film knows it’s ridiculous, and it leans into it with gusto. There’s a scene where Betty literally says, “This feels like something out of a Hallmark movie,” and Jack replies, “Yeah, but with worse dialogue.” Touché, Jack. Touché.

The movie’s biggest flaw is its predictability. You’ll know exactly how it ends within the first 10 minutes, but honestly, that’s part of the charm. Sometimes you just want to watch a movie where the biggest conflict is whether the protagonist will choose love or her slightly underbaked croissants. (Spoiler: she chooses both.)

In conclusion, Betty’s Bad Luck in Love is the cinematic equivalent of a warm, slightly stale cookie. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s comforting, sweet, and just cheesy enough to make you smile. If you’re a fan of Hallmark movies, this one’s for you. If not, well, at least you’ll get a good laugh out of Betty’s squirrel-related misadventures. 3 out of 5 stars—because even bad luck can be entertaining when it’s this ridiculous.