We’re clearly still not over royal fever, because Hallmark is bringing back Meghan Markle’s pre-Duchess days with a re-airing of When Sparks Fly. Yes, before she was royalty, she was Amy Peterson in this 2014 rom-com, and naturally, we had to tune in. Let’s dive into this cinematic gem, shall we?
The movie kicks off on the Fourth of July, with Amy, our aspiring journalist, contemplating a job offer at a Chicago paper. It’s her dream gig, folks! Boyfriend Hank is in the picture, but his proposal plans are quickly shelved as Amy packs her bags for the Windy City. Seven years flash by, and we find Amy at the paper, facing the classic “circulation is down!” crisis. Her editor, in peak movie boss fashion, tells her she’s lost her “spark” (eye roll count already rising). Amy’s brilliant solution? An article about local fireworks displays, conveniently run by her parents. Company-funded trip home? Check! Meanwhile, her office colleagues are glued to their phones, radiating workplace apathy, which Amy, bless her heart, completely misses.
Amy’s current boyfriend, Phil, is a fancy restaurant type, while she’s a pizza-and-beer kind of girl. Her tiny apartment forces her to store shoes in the oven – relatable big city living, right? A FaceTime call with her hometown friend Sammy reveals big news (and a shiny engagement ring), but Amy, ever observant, bails before catching on. Apparently, wearing makeup and a dress for this date is a major style departure for Amy, hinting at a hidden bombshell of beauty beneath those casual baseball caps.
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Off to a French restaurant with Phil, who gives off serious “Betty’s dad from Riverdale” vibes. He’s pre-ordered for her (major red flag), and Amy’s already apologizing for not being fancy enough. Not a great sign, Amy.
Plot twist! Sammy is engaged to… HANK! Yes, that Hank. And the wedding is next week because apparently, a Fourth of July wedding is Sammy’s lifelong dream. Is that really a thing? But wait, it gets better (or worse). Amy is the maid of honor. Because nothing says “best friends” like being a bridesmaid in your ex-boyfriend’s wedding to your bestie. Cue the montage of Amy packing and stumbling upon old photos of her and Hank, complete with pensive piano music to hammer home the obvious: she’s not thrilled.
Sammy, the interior designer, is presented as Amy’s polar opposite, and naturally, her taste is…questionable. Her business is struggling, exemplified by a neon orange, green, and yellow office chair. She’s also cycled through two wedding planners, likely due to her unwavering vision of red, white, and blue table runners.
Enter Hank’s “Sassy Friend,” the Best Man, who immediately questions Hank’s life choices. “Why Sammy? Why not Amy?” Sassy Friend for the win! (Side note: Sammy conveniently forgot to mention to Hank that his almost-fiancée ex is in the wedding party. Insecurity alert!).
Amy’s parents’ house looks suspiciously like the Kent farm from Smallville. Just saying.
At this point, you might be tempted to throw popcorn at the screen. Sammy ropes Amy into wedding planning duties. The timeline is baffling – how many days until this July 4th wedding if Sammy is still firing wedding planners and Amy has a looming article deadline? This temporal vortex is almost as mind-bending as the movie itself.
Sammy’s dad is peak enabler, fawning over the neon desk chair monstrosity. Wedding cake tasting ensues, and Sammy bulldozes everyone’s red velvet preference for her white chocolate obsession. The result? A red, white, and blue cake nightmare.
Hold up! A person of color in this small town? Sylvia, a local news reporter, appears briefly. She’s Chekhov’s gun, mark my words. And of course, Amy’s dad’s fireworks business is struggling. Will he save the town’s fireworks display? Tune in after the commercial break!
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Bridal dress shopping is a color-coded spectacle. Two bridesmaids in royal blue, Amy in red, and Sammy in a red, white, and blue creation. This woman’s 4th of July obsession is reaching critical mass. It’s almost like the writers want us to dislike her. Mission accomplished.
Blue roses for the wedding flowers? Sammy is truly committed to this theme. Despite Hank’s mounting doubts, no one is hitting the brakes on this trainwreck. He even enlists Amy to plan the rehearsal dinner. Amy, bless her weak will, agrees. But hey, at least it gives Hank and Amy a chance to get lost on country roads and rekindle their flame. Cue reminiscing at their old BBQ joint.
The other bridesmaids, those unnamed agents of chaos, plant seeds of doubt in Sammy’s mind about Amy and Hank’s lingering feelings. Because, duh. Rehearsal dinner at the BBQ joint is confirmed. Ribs: the language of love. The BBQ owner, bless his soul, finally voices the obvious: isn’t it weird Hank is marrying Amy’s best friend?
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BBQ-induced honesty time! Amy confesses her Chicago job and life are…lacking. To Hank. Naturally.
Amy’s dad, in a moment of peak dad-ness, declares himself a Luddite because he doesn’t want to tweet. No website? No social media? Mystery solved regarding the struggling fireworks business.
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Toilet paper wedding dress fashion show at the bridal shower. We’ve officially reached peak Hallmark cheese. Sammy, radiating insecurity, full-on makes out with Hank in front of a toilet-paper-clad Amy. SAMMY. IS. THE. WORST.
But amidst the toilet paper and forced PDA, Amy has an epiphany: she’s still in love with Hank. Again, duh. Mom offers sage advice: “Well, that sucks.” And then, out of nowhere, Phil arrives! At least Amy escapes the toilet paper dress. Hugging Phil is clearly a chore.
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Red, white, and blue bow ties and cummerbunds for the groomsmen. Sassy Friend is not amused. Hank, seriously, run.
Town emergency! Water main break! The Petersons are summoned to City Hall and get the bad news: no fireworks budget. Their business is doomed. Is this Sylvia the News Caster’s time to shine? Stay tuned.
Is Phil going to run off with Sammy? He’s acting super weird around her. But he distracts Sammy long enough for Hank and Amy to exchange longing glances. BBQ man offers a shoulder to cry on, but Amy remains stoic. Until she dances with Hank to “their song.” Gasp! Hank drops the “I was going to propose to you” bomb on the dance floor! Sammy, ever the interrupter, appears, and Phil swoops in. But Amy flees.
Hank, what are you doing chasing Amy? You’re getting married tomorrow! Toast time! Groom MIA. Hank is back at the BBQ joint. And Amy confesses her love for Hank! Sammy overhears! Wedding OFF! It’s all Amy’s fault, apparently. And now no one will help Amy’s parents’ fireworks business. Petty level: expert.
To calm Sammy down, Amy and Hank go for a truck ride? How does that help? They find Sammy gazing at patriotic china. Retail therapy, Sammy style. Amy watches them hug, then wanders the deserted streets in heels, looking forlorn.
A-HA! Sylvia the News Caster arrives to interview Amy about a Kickstarter campaign to save the fireworks! Called it! Chekhov’s gun fired!
Amy breaks up with Phil. He passive-aggressively declares he knew she wasn’t “the one.” Good riddance, Phil.
Huzzah! Kickstarter success! Fireworks saved! And Amy has a front-page story! Oh, right, the article.
Sammy has a moment of self-awareness, blaming her craziness on her deceased mother. A bit of a cop-out, but Amy and Sammy are on the path to friendship reconciliation, sealed with a cupcake.
Fireworks montage! Hank shows up and asks Amy to “walk with” him. Confessions of lingering love ensue. Amy’s moving back home! Small town life triumphs over Chicago benefits!
Amy’s wedding cake is repurposed for the town party. Amy suggests Sammy become a party planner. God help us all.
Amy’s article is front-page news! She’s working for the family business! Maybe they have dental?
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Fireworks explode over Lakeside! Amy and Hank are happy! And Phil, in an Uncle Sam hat, hits on Sammy. Did anyone see that coming?
Twist ending! Hank proposes to Amy the day before he was supposed to marry Sammy! She says yes! Green screen fireworks! The end! Thank goodness.
This movie? Not good. Sammy is cartoonishly crazy, Hank is bland, and Meghan Markle deserved better. Way, way better.
This recap arrives a month before the Fourth of July, but we can officially close the book on Meghan Markle’s Hallmark movie era. Her new royal role is undoubtedly a step up. And I’m sure she’s much happier with Prince Harry than with Hank the small-town lawyer who clearly doesn’t understand the complexities of ex-girlfriend/best friend dynamics.
Onward to the next June Weddings movie… just so you don’t have to.
