Portrait of Love

Portrait of Love from 2015 is an endearing Hallmark Channel Original Movie that gently tugs at the heartstrings with a timeless story of dreams, destiny, and rediscovering what truly matters in life. Directed by Kristen Willing and written by Phoef Sutton, this drama/romance genre project features a cast that includes Jason Dohring, Bree Williamson, and Caitlin Carmichael, among others.

The film is centered around the life of April Littleton, played by Bree Williamson, who is a highly successful fashion photographer in New York. April has earned substantial acclaim in her profession, capturing enchanting beauty in each of her frames. Although she is relishing the glitz and glamour of the fashion industry in the big city, April can't shake off a sense of incompleteness. This feeling becomes more pronounced when she receives an invitation to return to her small hometown for an exhibition. Having left home at an early age to chase her dream, April has not been back in many years.

Jason Dohring skillfully brings to life the character of Corey, April's high school love who stayed back in their hometown. Painting an authentic image of a character grounded with wholehearted dreams and ambitions that starkly contrast with April's path so far, Dohring brings a beautiful depth to the narrative. Corey, now a single dad to the lively Aly, leads a peaceful life in his small community. Aly's character is played by Caitlin Carmichael with charm and warmth, connecting multiple strands of the heart-tugging story.

As April returns to her hometown, she is met with a wave of nostalgia and faces the life and relationships she left behind for fame and fortune. Here, she has skills, fame, and success but at home, she was just April - someone who was beloved for just being herself. As she reconnects with Corey and Aly, April begins to wonder if she left behind more than just her town.

In essence, Portrait of Love is not just a romantic film but is also a stirring tale of self-realization and uncovering one's true worth. The dynamic relationships between characters unlock forgiveness, rekindle old bonds, and even create new ones. The narrative is intensified by individual performances and the palpable chemistry among the cast members, who bring an engaging dining to their shared screen time.

Bree Williamson's portrayal of April vividly captures the complexities of a woman torn between her present and her past, the metropolitan life she has built for herself, and the easy charm of a small town that nurtures a different sort of beauty. Jason Dohring does a commendable job as Corey, subtly communicating the inherent substance of a man who kept his feet on the ground even as others around him sought different horizons.

As a viewer, you're drawn into the transformation of April, witnessing her gradual realization about the thin line distinguishing ambition from happiness. The earnestness of Dohring's character Corey provides a perfect counter to April's glam-show world. Young Caitlin Carmichael adds a joyful charm to the movie, adding a different layer to the character equations.

The movie brings together high fashion and a small-town setting in a visually pleasing way. The contrast is not jarring but rather, it fits smoothly into the storyline, mirroring the progression of April's character.

Portrait of Love ultimately leaves its viewers with a touching message that life's true essence is to live and love wholeheartedly, and to chase dreams that bring not just success but also happiness. As the characters evolve through the two-hour long journey, they present an engaging narrative that highlights the importance of home, love, and recapturing those lost moments.

In all, Portrait of Love is a heartfelt movie that brilliantly makes use of its small-town setting to convey a poignant message. The able performances by the cast, the top-notch direction and the beautifully composed scenes make it more than just a Hallmark movie. It's a film about rediscovering your roots, rekindling old passions and reconnecting with those who’ve shaped you in subtle ways.