Feel Good; The Hallmark Way

And I thought I had been doing so well too. I suppose that tells me not to pat myself on the back too quickly, huh?

My impromptu two week break started because of what will go down as one of the worst weeks of my life. Testing positive for Covid, only for my youngest to fall sick while I was in isolation? Horrible feeling, unable to care for her, unable to go with her to the hospital. On top of that, the same day she was hospitalised, my grandfather passed.

Yeah, horrible week, really.

But things are looking up. My grandfather was not well for a long time, and he’s at peace now. Still, during the course of the week, I found myself turning to a tried and true method for me to feel not as down in the dumps as I was.

The distraction? Hallmark movies.

I can feel the amusement, really. And the questions – Hallmark movies? Not Netflix movies?

I did watch a couple of Netflix movies, I’ll admit. But there’s a difference between the two that I’ve noticed. Netflix movies are very much aware of the genre they are in. There are lots of jokes about it, there is a lot of fun to be had with it. And I enjoy them too!

Hallmark movies on the other hand – Hallmark movies are earnest. They are predictable, of course, and even cheesy. Sometimes the dialogue is so cringy I have to distract myself from my distraction. But at the end of the day, they are full of warmth and comfort and a genuine-ness that only comes across in how unpolished it looks when compared to Netflix.

Not that they are badly made. The opposite, actually. They are full of bright colours and laughter and family, and yes, a lot of conservatives ideals. But you go into a Hallmark movie knowing how it will end – happily.

That is what I needed, that week. That is what I still turn to on my off days. That unique charm that comes from Hallmark, the familiar faces of small screen – sometimes big screen – actors just falling in love, with holidays and family and people and love.

Could they be more diverse? Absolutely! I’m waiting for my Hallmark Diwali movie. Or – you want your characters to fall in love over the course of a week? A big, fat, Indian wedding could work! I even have a plot ready for you, Hallmark.

Until then though, I shall watch Nazneen Carpenter fall in love. Or Victor Webster. Or Bethany Joy. Or – well, you get the idea.

• Hallmark movies – yay or nay?
• Do you have a favourite Hallmark movie?
• What sort of diversity would you love to see in feel-good movies, be they Hallmark or Netflix?
• You’re in charge of the next Hallmark movie – what is the plot and who do you cast?

Nothing quite says ‘you can be happy’ like a good Hallmark movie.

Hope the first quarter of your year has been going well!