It’s very rare that something stops me in my tracks, but this movie did. Here’s why – the opening. I do think that when it comes to Hallmark, they are taking a moment to realize that an opening to a movie, a font that is inviting, colors – they all make you stop and take a second look. An opening with vibrant colors and a title that pulls you in.
Royal-ish…
We knows a lot about the “ish” of things.
When we were little, we always dreamed of being a princess. Thinking that one day someone would come in on a white horse and rescue me. Have no idea why was taught that it would be a white horse. Royal-ish is about a young girl who is a princess, who has gone through so much on a personal level and her father who wants her to feel strong and confident. He decides to bring her to the United States, to visit Once Upon A Time Land, where she can meet “real” princesses.
Young Rose, is the apple of her fathers eye, takes a liking to Princess Sweet Pea. Lacey, who plays the Princess, agrees to help Rose out – getting used to riding horses again. This means going to their country and living in a castle, and you know, falling in love with a prince.
Now, as a fan of William Moseley, I will always remember him as a king – King Peter to be exact. Seeing him as a Dad and a Prince isn’t what I am used to, but I loved and adored it. Him as a Dad is absolutely something that I can get behind.
Moseley wants to fall into his role as King, but the most important thing to him is his little girl. The way that Moseley embraces his role – which some can say is type casting – no matter what the movie. While I wanted him to have a hair cut – desperately – I trusted him as Prince Henry. His judgement was a little all over the place and sometimes like WTF, but you just couldn’t help but root for him.
Perhaps the person that really should get all the kudos for their role in this film is Nichole Sakura. She plays Lacey/Princess Sweet Pea and captures the scenes she’s in. The reason is because the character comes across and caring and selfless, which made me invested in her. She was changing peoples lives and didn’t want any reward. The reward was in giving to people and making a difference.
She wanted to make people feel safe and taken care of.
Inevitably though, Lacey accomplishes her goal, but someone is going to tell her that she doesn’t belong. Royalty can’t date a commoner and so she’s told that if she cares about Henry and Rose, she needs to leave. To go home.
In the midst of being happy and seeing both Rose and Henry succeed, she’s had the rug pulled out from underneath her. She feels hurt and devastated. It’s hard – in any movie – to see the sadness that people feel, because you want them to succeed. I do believe that Hallmark manages to find a way to show that in a way that makes the viewer feel like no matter the storyline – it could be you.
The pacing of this movie wasn’t off. As a matter of fact, you blink and it’s over, but you’re satisfied with your escape from reality.
