This is another mediocre Reel One Entertainment TV movie about fictional small European royalty. It's barelly passable. Compared to their main competitor Hallmark, they just can't properly do it. It's not like Hallmark is amazing in that department either, but at least they are mostly in average category which can't be said for ROE.
The movie was co-produced with Sunshine Films so you can expect various technical issues, and this one doesn't disappoint, too (it's sarcasm if is not obvious). The vast majority of movie suffers from poor audio recording, and Ansley Gordon was mostly affected by it, especially in the scenes inside her bakery. In contrast, Christian Howard was mostly affected in outside scenes. Music score is forgetable like in so many new ROE TV movies. Shooting location is nice, and the city name is fictional, just like European city kingdom so no issues. The stock footage of Savannah was minimal.
I would say that this was the best Ansley Gordon performance compared to her previous movies even with horrendous script. Christian Howard was passable because he's a real Brit. Supporting cast was all over the place.
My major issue with the movie is writing. Imagine every possible stereotype and trope about European royalties including obligatory they speak British English even they are in the middle of Europe. If you are from Europe, you're probably going to be "sick" of it. Hallmark do it, too, but this one for a change mixed all of that with two vicious female leads. Subverted expectations...
In Act I we immediately found out that Allie and Marily hate and blame each other for the same things. They are also the biggest local bakery competitors. Then enters Prince James with his cake competition. Script in Act II paints that Marily is actually worse which is superficial as what was Allie doing alone with James? I mean it's realistic that women can be really vicious to each others (ask any woman who worked for female boss), but you have nobody to root as James is wooden and unrelatable, too. And then there is a secondary story involving his butler and Allie's best friend and coworker Sophia which is ridiculous on it's on ways. And there is more like almost every person in Meadow Ridge is mentally challenged.
It's overall big disappointment and just barelly passable because of nice location, Ansley Gordon acted great, and realistic relations, but unfortunately for the wrong reasons. You watch this type of movies to relax, enjoy and feel good which is absent from this one. This one could be proper drama with a proper writing.
And obligatory don't watch trailer (not posted on IMDb for some reason) as it's the ROE one and for some unknown reason(s) it shows whole movie compressed. Or maybe you should so you can skip watching the whole movie.
