There is something about Erin Krakow that draws you in. Not sure if it’s her calming voice or her reassuring smile, but you just know that she’s giving everything that she can in every role she takes on. You can just tell that she’s real.
And that’s not something you always find in Hollywood.
Last year, I had the pleasure of speaking with her and I get insanely nervous before interviews. We’re talking about shaking and feeling sick to my stomach. We’re talking that I don’t know what I am going to do or say, especially if it’s someone that I admire. And I have always admired her – since she walked onto the screen in a show that I loved – Army Wives.
When the pandemic started and I found Hallmark movies, I found her movies. The innocence and the vulnerability that she gave to every role, with a sense of strength in the same moment – she became even more and more relatable. She managed to bring roles to life in a way that – as a viewer – you were invested.
And if you aren’t invested in a character – you won’t watch a movie or a show. At least I won’t. I will turn off a television so quickly that your head will spin. But with Krakow’s characters, you know that what you are going to get is a character that will change you in some way. It will stay with you.
I admit I haven’t watched When Calls The Heart (I fail, I know) but from what my friends tell me – it’s the same thing. She is one of those meant-to-be actresses that you know you have the privilege of watching on the screen.
I think we’ve all seen the reasons that we love an actor. My reasons for loving Krakow’s movies are twofold – her genuine heart and the feeling that she chooses roles that she knows are genuine to her. Now while I could be wrong, I will stick with my reasons.
And I will do what feels impossible to me – rank my five favorite Hallmark movies starring the actress.
#5 – A Summer Romance
What It’s About: Richard flies to Montana to buy a 2500-acre ranch with money problems from Sam and build a resort. Sam turns out to be a cute, single woman.
Why I Loved It: First, who doesn’t love a movie that is set in Montana – it’s a beautiful state. But I loved the understated fierceness of Krakow’s character of Sam. She’s determined, stubborn, and the silent but will affect you type. Not to mention the chemistry between Sam and Richard.
What I Would Rate It: 🌟🌟🌟.5
#4 – Chance At Romance
What It’s About: Frustrated by her unsuccessful blind dates, Samantha stumbles into a photo exhibition, sees and likes the photographer, and writes him an email. But the email is intercepted by the photographer’s son, who uses his father’s identity to arrange a date for his widower father because he doesn’t like his father’s blonde manager and fears that she could become his stepmother. Still under his father’s name, the son asks out Samantha. When she arrives, of course, the identity theft is uncovered, and an embarrassed Samantha turns and tries to go home. But their fate might still hold some unexpected twists and turns.
Why I Loved It: Samantha has a sense of fearlessness in her and I loved that about her. Of course, I never like a catfishing plotline (essentially, I felt like it was that to a point), but what I did love is that character made me feel like there was no chance that you wouldn’t take in life – because on the other side could be something you never imagined.
What I Would Rate It: 🌟🌟🌟.5
#3 – Blind Date Book Club
What It’s About: A Nantucket bookshop owner known for matching others finds a connection with a bestselling author who visits her store.
Why I Loved It: Nantucket and bookstores are two of my favorite places in the world. I love both. But what I loved most about the movie was Meg. Meg had a love of books and a love of love (even if she didn’t always admit it). She knew what she wanted and the difference that she wanted to make. I loved that to me it felt as though she was defining her legacy and I felt that was something important to see. Yes, there was a love story too. BUT, Meg’s story was my favorite part of the movie.
What I Would Rate It: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
#2 – It Was Always You
What It’s About: Elizabeth’s engagement plans are thrown into disarray when her fiance’s brother returns home. His unexpected influence prompts Elizabeth to question her life decisions.
Why I Loved It: First, let me say that I know that some people are going to be so mad at me for putting this in the second spot, but it was not an easy choice. I love this movie, but the reason that this got put second was because for part of the movie Krakow’s character of Elizabeth made me want to throw my TV. I hated that she had given up on her dreams and the things that she wanted because of a man. I hated that so much. I wanted Elizabeth to see that she was settling in life and she should always be that person who writes out her dreams and then makes them come true. BUT, halfway through, I found myself watching Elizabeth change and I realized that she had never intentionally meant to forget who she wanted to be – she just wanted to be loved. And isn’t that all of us?
If anything that emotional road that I went on watching this movie, is why I loved Krakows acting. You can start a movie or a show feeling a certain way and by the end feel a different way. That’s a special actor that can make you do that.
What I Would Rate It: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
#1 – The Wedding Cottage
What It’s About: A wedding guide creator must convince an uninspired artist and owner of a special wedding cottage to renovate the run-down cottage to host a contest-winning couple for their dream wedding.
Why I Loved It: If you know me, you know I don’t believe in love or marriage – well, I am a cynic. I admit it. I love to watch movies about weddings and relationships and see people find their road. I love seeing women who are strong and lead the way. Krakow’s character of Vanessa is this romantic who really just finds the beauty in things, even in the times when it feels like there is no beauty. She takes the punches, roles with them, and wants to do everything to give people their happily ever after. Yet, finding her way — her love and her joy — isn’t as easy. Yet when she finds that accomplishing the things that she wants to. Maybe — I found myself saying at the end of the movie that love doesn’t have to be a bad word and marriage doesn’t have to be one either.
And getting me to say that – that’s a miracle. So, I definitely can appreciate and love a movie that gets to me that deep.
What I Would Rate It: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My fav is Tell Me Santa. The ending is smoking hot!!