Deliciously romantic, tender, and stunning on all fronts, Adventures in Love and Birding is undoubtedly one of Hallmark‘s best adaptations and an undeniable must-watch for romance fans. Based on the gorgeously compelling romance novel, Birding With Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb, the film has everything fans of sweeping love stories could want, from some of the most exciting tropes to casting that’s all around perfect.
Penned for the small screen by Nicole Baxter, while the film understandably changes beats of the plot (and unfortunately cuts out some of the glorious steamy scenes), it still shines as a glowing example of healing after loss. Andrew Walker and Rachel Boston are incredible scene partners as they navigate through John and Celeste’s fake dating endeavors, ensuring that both big moments and beats of casual intimacy prove that the two are utterly suited for one another.
Often, film adaptations don’t give us the same details the book does in order for us to understand what characters are thinking fully. And in order for us to see those details on-screen, it’s up to the actors to show us everything that isn’t said aloud. It’s up to the actors to know the characters so well that their every expression tells us something beyond the words spoken aloud. The moment it was announced that Walker and Boston would be taking on these roles, I knew we were in good hands. As much as the film would have to change details and cut scenes, the actors would still sell the romance with thrilling moments that would guarantee viewers would kick their feet and giggle. (It’s me, I’m viewers. I kicked my feet and giggled, and by the end, I almost choked up a bit, too.)
Adventures in Love and Birding also stands out as a film that does an excellent job of reminding its viewers that it’s never too late to start something new. There’s no age cut-off for when you can discover a new hobby, fall in love again, or try something that you never once thought of. The message itself isn’t novel or unique, but it’s one that still feels rare because few things are universal, and human beings are so complicated that it’s easy for us to forget that we aren’t trapped in our ways.
More than anything, the film explores a softness in John and Celeste’s romance that’s so wholesome, it stays with you. Neither of the characters is perfect, nor are human beings, and the exploration of their time getting to know one another touches on this hopeful idea of how discoveries can stay with us, how one small bird or a rare owl can remind us of the immensity in the world—the vastness of love. It feels like a true romantic comedy with every narrative beat drawing us to the eventual happy ending we know is coming, and in a way that feels entirely earned.
We say it often here at Lady Geeks Media, but now more than ever, we need stories with happy endings. We need to feel a modicum of hope after we turn off our TVs, and from start to finish, the film delivers. Granted, this is a pattern we’re grateful for at Hallmark, but there’s something indescribably special about Adventures in Love and Birding. It’s not just the romance that’s delightful and gripping, but it’s also a hopeful character study about discovering beauty in the ordinary. The scenery, the wardrobe, the performances, the chemistry—there’s quite literally so much to appreciate, making it a treat on all fronts.
Adventures in Love and Birding is out now.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Hallmark