Heartstrings and Small Town Charm Hit The Right Note for Hallmark Channel’s ‘A Little Park Music’ – Review. Hallmark Channel has premiered its latest Spring Into Love movie with ‘A Little Park Music.’
‘A Little Park Music’ is the story of when a piano appears in the park gazebo, interfering with important work, city manager Allie joins forces with rookie cop Ryan to remove it, only to find both music and love are hard to resist. The movie stars Laci J Mailey and Beau Mirchoff as Allie and Ryan.
While the movie has a slower pace, it’s fitting for the storyline. The story has a central theme of the Tortoise and the Hare, and to slow down and not be in a hurry all the time. Normally, the slow pace of a movie is a distraction. This time, it is necessary to tell the story.
Allie is a city manager who is always in a hurry. She is constantly racing here and there and being told to slow down, or you’ll miss something. She even meets Officer Ryan Pruitt because she jaywalks, and he writes her a ticket. Allie didn’t want to go to the crosswalk when she could just cross where she was. Ryan is a by-the-book cop. He takes the law seriously. He’s at a slower pace. Yet he is looking to move to the faster-paced Seattle instead of the slower small town.
In order to receive a grant for the town, the city must take down the gazebo in the town square and erect a fountain. People in the town aren’t too happy to see the gazebo go. A piano shows up, preventing the demolition. Ryan needs to open a case and fill out paperwork, further delaying Allie’s job.
While the delay is happening, the town rallies around having a piano. There is music filling the air and dance classes happening, yoga, a proposal, etc. People from all careers and walks of life start playing for each other to enjoy.
This keeps happening. As one piano gets removed, the next day, there is another one in its place. The town falls more and more in love with having the piano. As they work on the mysterious pianos, Allie and Ryan fall for each other. In the end, they find out who was leaving the pianos, and Allie finds a way to save the gazebo but still fulfill the contract for the grant to erect a fountain.
The movie is a sweet story. It could have worked very easily in any season. You can just see it full bloom of the spring, ready for a summer party, harvesty vibes for fall, Christmas decor, and carols. The town folks are charming and make you want to live there. The music that was played was lively. I’m a sucker for standards, especially ‘The Entertainer.’
The cast was just as charming as the townsfolk they played. Laci J Mailey doesn’t miss for me. I’ve enjoyed her since first seeing her on ‘Chesapeake Shores.’ I really enjoyed her saying, “You have got to be kidding me.” Beau Mirchoff needs more starring roles. He has a sweet demeanor.
‘A Little Park Music’ is beautifully directed by Peter Benson. He’s another one who rarely misses. You know, when you get a Peter Benson movie, you’re in for a good time. The movie is written by Rick Garman and Heather Taylor. Rick Garman has written many Hallmark Channel movies, most notably The Cherry Lane Christmas movies and The Groomsman. This appears to be the first time Heather Taylor has written for Hallmark Channel.
I would give this a 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets. It’s a sweet and charming story with sweet and charming characters. The slow pace may distract some, but when you look at it in the frame of the movie, it works. The story wants you to slow down and enjoy the music.
Spring Into Love continues next week with ‘To Philly With Love’ and the week after with ‘I’ll Be Seeing You.’ Check out our reviews for ‘Two For Tee’, ‘A Royal Setting‘, and ‘A Season To Blossom.’
Heartstrings and Small Town Charm Hit The Right Note for Hallmark Channel’s ‘A Little Park Music’ – Review
