The Perfect Setting

The Perfect Setting, starring Laci J. Mailey and David Elsendoorn, premiered January 25th on Hallmark Channel. I had actually mentioned before it aired that I was on the fence about whether or not I she might be ready to star in her own movie. Because up until now I thought she was better suited in a supporting role.

In Chesapeake Shores, for example, she had a great ensemble cast and together, they worked very well. But this time, I'm very happy to say, she did not disappoint! I thought she was amazing and the story, not to mention the setting, (see what I did there?) were just beautiful. So, what’s it about? Well, let’s dive right in and talk about it.

The Perfect Setting opens with a dream sequence that reminded me a little bit of how Sweet Home Alabama, with Reese Witherspoon, opened. It was complete with our main character falling asleep at work. The difference is Abby, Laci J. Mailey’s character is envisioning her life as a superstar jewelry designer. In reality, she does repair work for a top-of-the-line jewelry store. And when she wakes up we find out she’s meeting with a duchess to present her with a now fully-restored, stunning watch. 

We also find out she has a sketch book with some of her own original designs, but she hasn’t had an opportunity to physically make any of them because the jewels themselves, well they’re expensive. So, she’s working here to save some money and hopes that one day she’ll finally make it big as a jewelry designer.

Little does she know she’s about to have that opportunity when she gets a call from a Belgium bank informing her that her grandfather’s jewelry business over there has fallen behind on what I would assume is a loan with them, and she’s needed to help find a way to save it. And now we know why she heads to Belgium! Or more specifically, Antwerp - the diamond district!

As soon as she arrives we see there’s a stark contrast between Vandenbrink’s, her grandfather’s somewhat small, old-world style jewelry store, and Remy & Sons, a modern, more cutting-edge store and one that is arguably their biggest competitor.

We actually learn that this competition runs much deeper than that. Every year there’s a jewelry-designing festival, including a competition that’s compared to being like the Michelin star for jewelers. Abby’s grandfather had a history of winning that competition for many, years. But he’s getting older and has had a hard time keeping up with everything. So the Remys have been kind of taking over in recent years.

Well, this year the younger generation is competing as both Abby and Alexander have entered. And over the course of the movie we learn more about each of these characters as they gradually grow closer.

Abby’s love of jewelry designing sort of skipped a generation. We learn that her father was a navy man who met her mother when he was stationed in Belgium. Now he’s a captain of a cruise ship and she’s a pastry chef. Her mother never had an interest in the family jewelry business, but Abby loves it.

Alexander is one of two sons, hence the name. But his brother, who was apparently a very skilled jewelry designer in his own right, fell in love and moved away to Cleveland, leaving the business behind, much to his fathers dismay. Alexander, however, has a talent for running the business-side. And he has been responsible for their success in marketing and essentially, keeping up with the times.

Over the course of the movie the two of them learn how to pool their strengths together to help one another. He helps her design a website and some other marketing strategies for the Vandenbrinks, and she helps him tap into his creative side. Oh, but when her grandfather and his dad find out, let’s just say the sparks fly as they clearly do not trust one another! We're talking the Montagues and Capulets here.

Well, as it turns out, it’s with good reason. Later in the movie we find out that Mr. Remy does something unethical to win the competition and it creates a bit of a rift between father and son.

Before that happens, though, I loved Abby's quick thinking in this one scene when they were still trying to not be seen together. Alexander's father shows up unexpectedly and, as soon as she sees him, she starts a public fight with Alexander. It was all for show but it was great. 

Of course they couldn’t resist dancing together at the Carats and Cupids ball, cute name isn’t it? So, naturally, they were spotted and called out for it. They both got an earful about how they had to be careful and the importance of winning the competition, and yeah, they were put under a lot of pressure.

But that didn’t dissuade them in any way. Now, I’m not going to give away too much of the ending this time, but I really enjoyed this one. And I think maybe it’s because there was a little bit of character growth in all of them. One of the things I appreciate the most in a good love story is seeing how two people compliment each other when they’re together. Abby and Alexander appreciated each other’s strengths and not only did they develop real feelings for one another, they knew they were better together. 

I could also see that in the end Abby chose to stay in Belgium not only for Vandenbrinks, but also for Alexander. Not everything worked out quite the way she expected, but it all worked out well just the same. 

As for a rating, I’m giving this one a 4 out of 5. If I have one critique about this movie, it’s that I was left wondering how they would keep their own businesses thriving when ultimately, their families were still competitors. I wish that question had been resolved for me. But overall it was a very enjoyable movie and one that I would certainly recommend. 

Well, I think that wraps up my review of The Perfect Setting. Next up I’ll be reviewing Hallmark’s An Unexpected Valentine starring Lacey Chabert and Robert Buckley. An interesting pairing, don’t you think? The queen of Hallmark, who in my opinion hasn’t made anything lately that quite measures up to some of my favorites like A Royal Christmas or Christmas in Rome, with not-so-serious, but fun, Robert Buckley.  If you’re interested, check back next where we’ll talk all about it. 

Until then, and as always, thank you so much for being here and being a part of the Magical Movie Club. We'll be back next week to chat more about our favorite magical movies!

Hallmark Channel's Original Preview:  The Perfect Setting - Preview

Hallmark Channel Movie Site: The Perfect Setting