Review

Surprised by Love: Unmasking Cupid's Goofy Plot Twists

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Hallmark movies took a detour through a funhouse, then 'Surprised by Love' is your ticket to discovery. It's like Hallmark hired a jester to handle the script but forgot to remove his oversized, squeaky shoes.

This 2015 gem opens with a premise so classic it could only belong to the Hallmark universe: a career-minded gal named Josie decides to introduce her “meet-the-parents-proof” boyfriend, Richard, to her disapproving family. But plot twist—because what are Hallmark holiday movies without them?—she also accidentally reintroduces her high school flame, Gridley, just to spice things up. Yes, his name is Gridley, which sounds like he belongs either in a 19th-century novel or as a suspect in a Clue game.

The movie takes the 'boy-next-door versus stuffy fiancé' trope and dials it up to eleven, with Josie's parents doing everything short of producing a PowerPoint presentation on why Gridley is the better choice. Meanwhile, Richard struts around with all the charm of a lukewarm cappuccino, just begging for Josie to realize this is a Hallmark romance—actual chemistry is a polite suggestion, not a requirement.

What really steals the show is not the predictably sweet ending, but the avalanche of awkward yet endearing moments—like watching someone try to juggle while riding a unicycle and nearly crashing into a cotton candy stand. Josie's journey to surprise us with her choice is as subtle as a marching band in a library, and we love every cringeworthy, predictable moment of it.

So, if you’re a fan of Hallmark movies and can’t resist the holiday flavored variety when December hits, 'Surprised by Love' might just become your off-season guilty pleasure. It's a celebration of love's delightfully uncoordinated dance steps, with a punchline reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected surprises bring the best laughs.