Hallmark's "A Tail of Love" Trivia QUIZ!

 A Tail of Love Plot Summary

Bella and her grandmother operate a dog rescue center, but when they learn the new property owner plans to evict them and level the shelter, Bella turns to JR, a soldier who becomes attached to one of the rescues and her.

Starring:  Brittany Bristow and Chris McNally 

Image:  Crown Media

The Main Star of the Movie

You may tune into A Tail of Love to watch love blossom between Brittany Bristow (Bella) and Chris McNally (JR), but the real star of the show is Indie, the independent, military service dog back in the States from Kandahar.

Bella knows better than to get attached to the rescues destined to be placed in forever homes, but there's something about Indie that tugs at her heart--and JR's.  

In fact, Indie serves as a metaphor for Bella and JR's relationship.  When Bella laments how much Indie will miss JR when he's restationed, she's really speaking for herself.  JR and Bella shower Indie with love and attention, assuming their connection can only be temporary, and it mirrors the short spate of time the two of them have together as well.  

A Tail of Love Has Echoes of Hallmark Past

A growing number of Hallmark fans are finding the newer movies being produced by Hallmark aren't nearly as interesting, engaging, or the same level of quality as movies from past years.  A Tail of Love comes close in recapturing some of the old Hallmark magic.  Including pets as central figures in the plot is always a sure-fire win.  People love animals!

Negatively impacting Hallmark's brand is the ever-present wokeness in storytelling where the compulsion to check boxes is a huge distraction.  A Tail of Love is no different in that regard because it has it all:

• A biracial gay couple (Chad and Jeremy)

• A disabled boy (who adopts Willow)

• Love in the geriatric category (Lily and Edward)

• A black newscaster (Jill) and Hispanic rescue assistant (Maddie)

• A powerful businesswoman (Rachel Montgomery) to appease feminists (although she's portrayed as a heartless capitalist) versus bleeding heart businesswomen (Lily & Bella).  Of all the great causes in the world that help humanity, our do-gooders find a mission in life finding homes for dogs?  

• Homage to military service

Obviously, honoring our military is admirable, so not everything on the bulleted list above is bad.  For Hallmark to continually strive to ram as many diverse elements into every movie, however, feels very contrived and insincere.

The Dumbest Part of the Movie

A huge focus in the movie surrounds finding the signed document JR's parents forged with Bella's grandparents that proves Lily and Bella own the grounds where the dog rescue center is based.  If they can produce this legal document, it will prevent Rachel Montgomery from kicking them off the grounds and razing the center.

Throughout the movie, Bella and Maddie comb through boxes of old records while JR does the same at his house.  Public records don't show the transfer due to a fire years ago that conveniently destroyed them.

Just when it appears all hope is lost, JR discovers the signed agreement stuck to his parents' desk under the desk pad.

Really?

What business person would file or box all of their records in an orderly fashion, but then hide an important document under a desk pad?

Bristow and McNally Have Chemistry

Most fans agree that the chemistry between Bella and JR is great--something Hallmark has missed the mark on recently.  

Bristow has served in supporting roles in Hallmark movies like Love, Romance, & Chocolate, Love on Safari, Royal Matchmaker, Love Blossoms, Christmas Next Door, and Christmas at the Palace. She's been the leading lady only in Holiday Date and now, A Tail of Love.   

Chris McNally is best known by Hallmark fans for his role as Lucas on When Calls the Heart.  He's also starred in supporting Hallmark roles and been the leading man in The Sweetest Heart, A Winter Princess, Sailing into Love, and Snowkissed.