Have to admit that I cheese hard for the different Hallmark “seasons” of movies. I love a theme (as long as it’s not a theme party). Their latest season if Passport to Love – movies all set in different countries – and where you will find yourself not only falling in love with the characters, but also with the country.
The Passport to Love season started off strong with For Love and Honey. Starring Andrew Walker and Margaret Clunie, the movie takes the viewer to Malta, where, “Beekeeper Eva uncovers an ancient fresco while rescuing a hive. Austen, a visiting archeologist, thinks it is key to his research, so he persuades Eva to help him on his quest across Malta.”
Now, let me start off saying that I do not like bees. I am terrified of them, don’t want to be near them, would rather do just about anything. But apparently, in Malta, bees are protected and revered.
Initially as with any move, we’re introduced to the characters and from the beginning I couldn’t help but feel for the character of Eva. She’s a beekeeper by trade, but her as a person is what is intriguing. Though she puts on a smile all the time, she’s intense. She’s guarded and feels like she has to be in control all of the time. She doesn’t want to burden anyone else, but seems to feel like a burden to herself. She wants to be loved, but she doesn’t know how to let anyone in. Honestly, I couldn’t help but feel for Eva, because I felt like Eva.
It’s a weird thing when you see yourself in characters, but that’s the thing about this movie – anyone could see parts of themself in Eva. She is complex, but not in an overwhelming way.
And then you have Austen, an archeologist, who is guest lecturing in Malta. Oh, where do I begin with this character? I have seen all of Andrew Walker’s Hallmark movies, but never in my life have I disliked one and found him annoying at the beginning and then grew to love them. But with this character, I was on a journey. Walker managed to make Austen feel overwhelming, annoying and intense – but also soft, kind, and filled with love. The way that Austen grew throughout the film made me stop and think about the way that people can change based on circumstances and the people around them.
Austen and Eva complimented each other and that’s what made the viewer unable to look away. I was rooting for them from the beginning of their trope. I wouldn’t exactly call it enemies to lovers, but more along the road of dislike to love.
When Eva is called in to find how bees are getting into the library, she comes face to face with Austen again. The two had met previously when she almost hit him with her motorbike and now, she was schooling him on the importance of bees. Austen is doing research, as he’s trying to put together a proposal for tenure at his university. The two are supposed to be annoyed with each other, but I am not buying it. Why? Because there is instant chemistry and that’s what makes this movie so good.
It’s not often these days where you see such chemistry come across with characters, but I would argue that these two have just that. They may not understand each other and they may have a lot to learn, but that’s okay. You can’t help but love that about their journey.
While Eva is removing the bees she exposes paint, because Austen scared her coming up behind her. His archaeologist eye spots the paint, but what I was kinda taken a back about was how he just uncovered the entire thing, without taking precautions. It wasn’t because he did it – I mean this is a movie and I know that things like that will happen. It was more because it seemed out of character.
The fresco leads to the two having to work together as they try and follow all of the clues that it gives them. It’s a little (a lot) complicated – all of the clues – but the journey that it leads them on is one worth watching. I have to admit that I had a hard time following the clues, but I did find myself wanting to know what they all meant. I found myself thinking about all of the clues and how I wanted to know more about history.
Not only history of my country, but history of places that I never think about. Malta just looked like it would be stunning and I loved the passion for bees and honey. I was intrigued with the culture and the scenery, but also the knights and the architecture. There is so much to learn out there in the world and well, some of us really taking that for granted.
Myself included.
As the journey starts to come to an end, because the Austen is running out of time for his tenure proposal, there is the moment of pain. And yes, I used the word pain, because if anyone that I was falling for said that time with me was a waste of time, that would be painful. I do understand that sometimes we say things that are cruel out of our own pain, but it doesn’t make it right. Now, I wanted to slap Austen for his cruel words.
But Eva, she handles it with grace and class. She also lets it go quickly. You see, when she gets information that helps them solve the map, she runs right to Austen. Eva has fallen so hard that she wants to have him succeed. She wants to solve the mystery.
The two head to a field and realize that they need to move some rocks to see what is behind there. Why? Well, they saw a bee heading into the rocks and bees always return home.
Part of me couldn’t help but see the full circle beauty in the moment. At least it was for Eva. Because you see, this is a field that her Mom used to take her to, and it was a way of being okay with her being gone. It was a way of being at peace and knowing that her Mom was guiding her.
The other part of me couldn’t help but drool, because it was an advertisement for Andrew Walker’s muscles. As Austen is removing the rocks I couldn’t help but think three things. The first, I wondered if the sweat marks were real, as they looked perfectly sprayed on by someone in the crew and it was a lot for what seemed like moving a dozen rocks. The second, was it just really hot in Malta, if he was really sweating, or does he have a sweating issues. And lastly, welcome to the gun show, cause lordy, his arms are defined.
As the two solve the mystery, they are able to enjoy their final moments together. They know that they call separate places home.
Eva and Austen taught each other a lot about themselves during the course of the movie. I do love the whole adventure of this movie and the way that it was something completely different for Hallmark, but I love the character growth the most. I do think that there is a missed opportunity for Hallmark if they don’t find this to be a franchise.
Austen, the archeologist, is a great character and there are so many things out there for him to find. I think that like the finding love in National Parks franchise, there is an opportunity to do something great here. I want to be excited about movies and history, and I found this movie to be so unique to Hallmark. I actually found both Eva and Austen to be heroic to themselves and others in a way.
For Love & Honey didn’t make me reconsider eating honey, but did make me reconsider buying honey in a bear. #IYKYK. This movie was a fun watch and one that broke the Hallmark mold. More of these please.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- I love the character growth in this movie
- Andrew Walkers muscles were giving main character energy
- I loved that the man who taught Austen phrases in Maltese taught him phrases that were hilarious. It was then funny to know that he spoke English
- Austen helping Eva at her honey stand… loved it
- There is no way I am eating 5000 year old honey
- Malta looks amazing
- Why are we not more into architecture and its beauty. We should be
- Loved the sister aspect of this movie so much
- People do things as a sign of showing that they care. Sometimes I think we forget that, so I loved that we were reminded of it.
