Hallmark movies, known for their heartwarming stories and predictable plots, often provide a comforting escape. Among them is “When Sparks Fly,” a 2014 film starring Meghan Markle, long before her Duchess days. This movie revisits familiar romantic comedy tropes, centered around second chances and the allure of small-town life. Let’s dive into whether this film is a spark of joy or just another flicker in the Hallmark universe.
The story introduces us to Amy Peterson, a Chicago-based journalist feeling professionally stagnant. As the Fourth of July approaches, her editor challenges her to rediscover her “spark” by writing a feature piece. Ironically, Amy’s assignment leads her back to her hometown, Lakeside, and the very people who ignite the town’s annual fireworks display – her parents. This company-funded trip home is conveniently timed, as her childhood best friend, Sammy, is about to marry Amy’s former flame, Hank.
Amy’s life in Chicago seems less than dazzling. She dates Phil, a man with expensive tastes that clash with her down-to-earth personality. Her cramped apartment, where shoes are stored in the oven, speaks volumes about her lifestyle. A FaceTime call from Sammy reveals an engagement ring, although Amy, preoccupied, misses the crucial detail of who the lucky groom is. The effort Amy puts into dressing up for a date with Phil hints at a hidden desire to break free from her routine.
Amy looks contemplative during a phone call
The revelation hits Amy at a fancy French restaurant with Phil: Sammy is engaged to Hank! And the wedding is set for the following week, a whirlwind Fourth of July celebration. Adding to the complexity, Amy is expected to be the maid of honor. As she packs for her trip home, nostalgic photos of her and Hank surface, underscored by sentimental piano music, signaling unresolved feelings.
Sammy, an interior designer, is portrayed as somewhat creatively challenged. Her questionable taste is highlighted by a neon orange, green, and yellow desk chair and a penchant for red, white, and blue wedding décor. The detail about Sammy cycling through wedding planners suggests a bride with a very specific, and perhaps overbearing, vision.
Hank, a small-town lawyer, has a perceptive best man who questions his upcoming marriage to Sammy and subtly nudges him towards Amy. The best man’s perspective hints at the obvious – that Hank and Amy’s past connection still holds weight. Meanwhile, Sammy’s insecurity is evident in her decision to keep Amy’s past relationship with Hank a secret from him.
The movie subtly hints at the idyllic charm of Amy’s hometown with a visual cue. The exterior of her parents’ house bears a striking resemblance to the Kent residence from “Smallville,” evoking a sense of comforting familiarity.
Sammy’s character becomes increasingly demanding, enlisting Amy in wedding planning tasks. The timeline of the article assignment and the wedding preparations becomes slightly convoluted, adding to the movie’s lighthearted, slightly absurd feel.
During wedding cake tasting, Sammy’s controlling nature is further amplified as she overrides everyone’s preference for red velvet in favor of her white chocolate choice, culminating in a predictably patriotic cake design.
In a surprising, albeit brief, moment of diversity, a local news reporter, Sylvia, is introduced. This character, while seemingly minor, feels deliberately placed, hinting at a potential plot device to resolve a later conflict. Indeed, Amy’s dad’s fireworks business is facing financial struggles, foreshadowing a need for a news story to potentially save the day.
Amy and Sammy at a bridal dress fitting
At the bridal dress fitting, the color scheme is, predictably, patriotic. Bridesmaids are in royal blue, Amy in red, and Sammy in a red, white, and blue creation, solidifying her over-the-top Fourth of July obsession. This detail further emphasizes Sammy’s somewhat exaggerated personality.
Sammy’s floral choices include blue roses, a detail that might resonate with viewers who have navigated wedding planning complexities. Hank’s growing reservations about marrying Sammy become apparent, yet he struggles to articulate his doubts. He enlists Amy to help plan the rehearsal dinner, an action that, despite Amy’s initial hesitation, inevitably leads to them spending more time together, rekindling their old connection. A detour on country roads and a shared meal at their favorite BBQ joint further solidify this reconnection.
Other bridesmaids, sensing the lingering feelings between Amy and Hank, subtly fuel Sammy’s insecurities. The rehearsal dinner venue at the BBQ joint, while unconventional, is a location filled with shared memories for Amy and Hank. Even the BBQ owner recognizes the oddity of Hank marrying his ex-girlfriend’s best friend, voicing the unspoken question.
Amy looking unhappy at an event
Amy confesses her professional dissatisfaction and her feelings of being adrift in Chicago to Hank, a moment fueled by BBQ and nostalgia. In a slightly anachronistic moment, Amy’s dad’s aversion to Twitter and websites highlights the generational gap and perhaps contributes to the family business’s struggles.
A Fourth of July themed bridal shower
The bridal shower is, unsurprisingly, Fourth of July themed, complete with toilet paper dress creations – a staple of bridal shower games. Sammy’s insecurity peaks as she overtly displays affection for Hank in front of Amy, making her character less endearing and more overtly antagonistic.
This display, however, serves as a catalyst for Amy to acknowledge her rekindled feelings for Hank. Seeking advice from her mother yields a somewhat resigned response. Just then, Phil arrives, creating an awkward encounter and highlighting the growing distance between Amy and her Chicago boyfriend.
Men in red, white, and blue bow ties and cummerbunds
The wedding attire features red, white, and blue bow ties and cummerbunds, amplifying the patriotic theme. Hank’s best man’s unhappy expression further underscores the impending romantic conflict.
A town crisis – a water main break – coincides with the Peterson family being informed that the town cannot afford to pay for their fireworks display, jeopardizing their business. This plot point introduces a conflict that Sylvia, the news reporter, is poised to resolve.
Phil’s strange behavior around Sammy hints at a potential, albeit underdeveloped, subplot. During a dance, Hank and Amy share a meaningful moment, their “song” playing in the background. Hank reveals his past intention to propose to Amy, a confession overheard by Sammy, leading to a dramatic wedding cancellation, blaming Amy.
In an attempt to placate Sammy, Amy and Hank drive around, an action that seems counterintuitive. They find Sammy looking at patriotic china, a detail highlighting her unwavering theme commitment. Amy observes their reconciliation from a distance, then walks alone through Lakeside.
Sylvia, the news reporter, reappears, interviewing Amy about a Kickstarter campaign to save the fireworks business – a predictable yet effective resolution.
Amy breaks up with Phil, a somewhat anticlimactic end to their relationship. The Kickstarter campaign succeeds, saving the fireworks and providing a positive conclusion for Amy’s article.
Sammy experiences a moment of self-awareness, attributing her behavior to her mother’s absence, a somewhat simplistic explanation. Amy and Sammy reconcile over cupcakes, symbolizing forgiveness and friendship.
The final montage shows fireworks preparations. Hank asks Amy to “walk with” him, confessing his continuing love. Amy reveals her decision to return to Lakeside, prioritizing small-town life over her Chicago career.
Amy’s wedding cake is repurposed for the town party, and Sammy is encouraged to pursue party planning, a career path seemingly aligned with her personality, for better or worse.
Amy’s article makes the front page, and she joins the family business. As night falls, fireworks illuminate Lakeside, and Amy and Hank are together. In a final, slightly absurd twist, Phil reappears, hitting on Sammy in an Uncle Sam hat.
Hank proposes to Amy amidst a green-screen fireworks backdrop, concluding the movie with a predictable happy ending.
“When Sparks Fly” is a quintessential Hallmark movie. Sammy is portrayed as overly dramatic, perhaps to justify Hank’s wavering feelings and Amy’s re-emergence in his life. Hank remains somewhat passive, leaving viewers to wonder about his initial attraction to Sammy. Meghan Markle, however, delivers a charming performance, exceeding the somewhat thin material.
While the movie’s plot is formulaic and Sammy’s character is exaggerated, “When Sparks Fly” offers a light, entertaining watch, particularly for fans of Hallmark romantic comedies and those curious to see Meghan Markle in a pre-Duchess role. It’s a reminder of simpler times and the enduring appeal of second chances, even if the sparks are more of a gentle flicker than a dazzling explosion.
