Fourth Down and Love is an American romantic comedy sports TV film that premiered September 9, 2023, on the Hallmark Channel. Directed by Allan Harmon, the film stars Pascale Hutton and Ryan Paevey.[1][2] The film was originally broadcast as part of the Hallmark Channel's "Fall Into Love" seasonal programming.[3][4]
| Fourth Down and Love | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Allan Harmon |
| Written by |
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| Screenplay by | Julie Sherman Wolfe |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Dan Dumouchel |
| Edited by | Jason Hujber |
| Music by | Red Janes |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Hallmark Channel |
Release date |
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Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editMike Hanson (Ryan Paevey) is a player on the professional football team The Whalers, but when he gets seriously injured for the second time in the season, he is forced to go onto the injured reserve. While nursing his broken ribs, Mike returns to his hometown to stay at his brother's (Dan Payne) house. During this time, Mike is convinced to help coach his niece's (Piper Scott) all-girl flag football team.
Single mother Erin Allen (Pascale Hutton) is a real estate agent whose 12-year-old daughter Kiera (Sophia Powers) also plays in the flag football league. One day while sharing the field with another team during practice, Kiera notices the all-girl flag football team and asks her mother to let her join it and she agrees. When Erin goes over to ask the coach to let her daughter join, she realizes that Mike, her ex-boyfriend from college that she broke up with, is the one coaching the all-girl team. As Erin and Mike begin to spend time together again, their romantic past begins to resurface.
Cast
edit- Pascale Hutton as Erin Allen
- Ryan Paevey as Mike Hanson
- Sophia Powers as Keira Allen
- Dan Payne as Jimmy Hanson
- Steve Bacic as Richard
- Heather Doerksen as Danielle Hanson
- Kalyn Miles as Georgina
- Darlene Tait as Gertie Hanson
- Fred Henderson as Gus
- Piper Scott as Zoey Hanson
- Ian Ronningen as Bucks Flag Coach
- Darby Steeves as Kristina
- Cole Fairbank as Lucas
- Aaron Joseph as Referee
- Gemma Martini as Whaler Team Doctor
- David Stuart as Whaler General Manager
- Kimberley Sustad as Sideline Reporter
- Benjamin Wilkinson as Announcer
- Adil Zaidi as Commentator
Production
editPrincipal photography took place entirely in Vancouver between May and June of 2023. The football stadium used in the film was the McLeod Athletic Park in the Township of Langley.[5]
Reception
editFourth Down and Love debuted on the Hallmark Channel to 1.58 million viewers.[6]
Southern Living presented the film as follows: "In addition to the rekindled romance, Mike bonds with the young women on the team and teaches them how to gain more confidence on and off the field."[7] Decider compared the film with other productions, "There’s a lot of Hallmark’s Hearts in the Game here, especially the fact that the leads start as exes rather than strangers. If the movie focused more on the kids and Coach Mike, the pro-coaches-kids storyline could feel more Mighty Ducks-ish" and wrote that the film offered "no real surprises plot-wise and pretty much adheres to every trope you expect from both a Hallmark romance and a kid-centric sports movie."[8]
References
edit- ^ Wiggan, Alex (2023-08-10). "Hallmark announces Fourth Down and Love". It's A Stampede!. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
- ^ King, Anne (2023-08-05). "Pascale Hutton & Ryan Paevey Are College Sweethearts In Fourth Down And Love". Celebrating The Soaps. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
- ^ "Fall Into Love 2023 Movies". Hallmark Channel.
- ^ Wang, K. L. Connie (2023-09-09). "An Awkward Meet-Cute Reunites a Single Mom and Pro Football Player". Parade. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
- ^ Shrestha, Naman (2023-09-09). "Hallmark's Fourth Down and Love: All Shooting and Cast Details". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
- ^ "TV Ratings for Saturday 9th September 2023 - Network Prelims, Finals and Select Cable Numbers Posted". Spoiler TV. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
- ^ "Check Out An Exclusive Clip From Hallmark's Football-Themed 'Fourth Down And Love'". Southern Living. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ "'Fourth Down and Love' Hallmark Review: Stream It or Skip It?". Decider. Retrieved 2024-03-30.