“The Presence of Love,” starring Eloise Mumford and Julian Morris aired on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on March 13, 2022. The script was written by Nicole Baxter, who also wrote A Christmas Love Story and one of my faves from 2017, “Love at the Shore.” Maclain Nelson directed. The movie was filmed in Port Leven, Cornwall, England.
Music: I loved the music in this movie. I’m a big Doctor Who fan and some of the melodies were a mix of Rose and Martha’s themes for that show. I did a search online and was thrilled to find out the music for the movie was done by Anne-Kathrin Dern, Connor Cook and Esin Aydingoz. Not only that, but they have a video on YouTube showing their thought processes behind the music. See below:
In a nutshell
I’ve not cried during a Hallmark movie in a very long time. This one made me cry three times. Eloise Mumford has a knack for picking incredibly heartfelt, emotional movies, and even if they aren’t always good, SHE is always good.
The Plot of “The Presence of Love”
Adjunct professor Joss travels to England to visit the farm where her late mother grew up and bonds with single-father, Daniel, whose family now runs it.
Actors & Chemistry
Eloise Mumford is unlike any other Hallmark actress. I think her closest competition would be Nikki DeLoach when it comes to bringing real, raw emotion to a role. But I think Mumford is the queen in that regard. She did most of the heavy lifting in this movie, but I also thought Julian Morris did a great job as a dad and son struggling to raise a daughter and save the family farm. And then as if that wasn’t enough, the movie co-starred Samantha Bond as the farm’s matriarch, alternating between rude and crusty, and regretful and supportive. So good.
Tropes
We had empty coffee cups pretty early into the movie. Both an adorable little girl and dog. A deceased parent. A promotion on the line. Family business in jeopardy.
Did I Hear/See That Right?
I found no major faults in the movie other than the fact that Joss took a two-week trip with one suitcase and had four long coats packed and ready to go. I don’t know about other people, but when I travel, I take ZERO coats most of the time, and might pack a jacket if I think I’ll need one. Certainly not FOUR.
Feelgoods
My favorite comment from the movie is the Oscar Wilde quote, (paraphrased) “What you put in your head creates who you become.” I think that is so true. It’s why I’m very careful about how much time I spend on social media or watching the news. I also stopped reading dark fiction a few years ago. I just felt the weight of those things and decided to separate from it entirely. I don’t have my head in the sand regarding what’s going on in the world, but I also know when to set up boundaries regarding what I’ll allow myself to watch/hear/obsess over.
Amy Sharp, the little girl who played Daniel’s daughter, Tegan, was wonderfully good. Can you believe that’s her first movie credit? I hope she continues acting because she will have an amazing career given how good she was in this movie. I loved every scene she was in.
As for the things that made me cry, I cried when Merryn (Daniel’s mom) gave Joss the box she found in the mill. It was more Joss’s reaction to the book that got me – her grief and happiness mixed together totally gutted me and I found myself tearing up. And then when Daniel asked her to stay and Joss kissed him then quoted a poem, saying, “You lie in all my many thoughts.” Then again when Joss was saying goodbye to Merryn and Tegan – that got me too.
Re-watchability of “The Presence of Love”
This is a movie that deals with anxiety, dyslexia and loss. Given its serious tone it is not one I’d likely watch again. But that’s a mark against it – it is a very well done, emotional movie.
The Ranking
“The Presence of Love” is a VERY good movie and it’s placement in the list shows it. The only reason it didn’t earn more points is that it’s not a very rewatchable movie because of the heaviness of the story. But it is easily one of the best Hallmark has made in a good long while.
- Two Tickets to Paradise (air date: June 25) – 664 pts – weighted score: 111.4 (78.1%)
- Just One Kiss (air date: Apr 2) – 660 pts – weighted score: 111.2 (78.0%)
- The Presence of Love (air date: Mar 13) – 650 pts – weighted score: 110.9 (77.8%)
- Love, Classified (air date: Apr 16) – 624 pts – weighted score: 106.1 (74.4%)
- A Royal Runaway Romance (air date: Apr 9) – 617 pts – weighted score: 105.9% (74.3%)
- A Tail of Love (air date: Apr 23) – 557 pts – weighted score: 94.4 (66.2%)
- The Perfect Pairing (air date: Jan 15) – 563 pts – weighted score: 92.7 (65.0%)
- The Wedding Veil Legacy (air date: Feb 19) – 543 pts – weighted score: 92.0 (64.5%)
- Welcome to Mama’s (air date: Feb 26) – 540 pts – weighted score: 91.9 (64.5%)
- Butlers in Love (air date: Jan 29) – 527 pts – weighted score: 91.3 (64.0%)
- Feeling Butterflies (air date: Mar 12) – 542 pts – weighted score: 91.2 (64.0%)
- The Wedding Veil Unveiled (air date: Feb 12) – 515 pts – weighted score: 86.9 (61.0%)
- Don’t Forget I Love You (air date: Jan 22) – 508 pts – weighted score: 85.8 (60.2%)
- The Wedding Veil (air date: Jan 8) – 508 pts – weighted score: 83.3 (58.4%)
- Where the Heart Belongs (air date: Jan 1) – 435 pts – weighted score: 74.5 (52.3%)
To see where this movie lands in my overall rankings of Hallmark movies, visit my Hallmark Movie Rankings page!
What did you think of “The Presence of Love”? Comment below and let me know!
I love the movie, ‘Presence of Love’ and have already watched it 4 times!!! I could watch this movie over and over, and wish there was a second sequel to it. It is SUCH A WONDERFUL MOVIE!!! I love all of the plots that intertwined with all of the character. And what’s not to love about that English accent? I hope you continue to play this movie. Maybe come out with a CD of the music in the movie; and a book!
I enjoyed this movie very much, for many of the reasons you gave. I am a huge fan of Eloise Mumford and watch any movie she has on Hallmark. (And the coats! I kept telling my husband “she has a different coat”!! When I travel overseas, it’s layers.) I thought it was wonderful and have already watched it again. Loved it!
I watched this movie “The Presence of Love” here on TV in South Asia where I live. I am a movie fan but normally I do not watch much of romantic movies at my age. But when I saw this movie being played on TV last Saturday night (on Saturday Night Movie), I wanted to watch it again from the start. This movie’s simple (not that simple) but very touching theme, the characters and the life in beautiful English countryside made me watch this movie again. Specially the main actress, Eloise Munford as Joss played her role very well. Also Julian Morris as Daniel and Samantha Bond as Daniel’s mother Merryn did their roles well. Amy Sharp as Teegan, Daniel’s little daughter is very sweet, cute and beautiful! This movie has an interestingly romantic theme which is very emotional sometimes. The psychological unbalances of humans which we undergo in daily life are very well portrayed here. It’s a very good story and its so touching, so I can see it once again. I usually watch Hollywood thrillers or action type movies but this film really moved me.
I agree with every word Ms.Jane, the above commentator has written here. Her view of this movie is exactly correct. I agree with her. One highlight; I also wished that Joss, the professor stayed here more than two weeks. Two weeks are too short to go by. The music of this movie by Ann Kathrin Dern also has to be commended. Is the soundtrack available to buy? The directing of this movie is very good, but I wish it is a little longer that this. I don’t know whether it is an edited version which I watched. I think this movie is entirely made by Hallmark Media company in United Kingdom.
I like this movie and I will remember it.
Thank you all for making such a nice movie!!
Janath
I agree with most of what you say. However tne script, fell down briefly on a couple of points: In the UK, we say ‘Third time lucky’, not ‘Third (or three) times a charm’ It stood out because it was Daniel who said it. Secondly, ‘West Cornwall Station’? Really? One further point: It was a bit obvious when Samnantha Bond’s character was showing Teegan the ‘proper’ way to make tea & prepare scones. Obvious because I know that Americans are always asking those questions. All that aside, I think the ‘Presence of Love’ is a minor masterpiece.
Hello, Mr. Ralph Wigg,
I hope that you have replied to me herein, and firstly I am very sorry for the long delay to respond.
I read your comment. As a man living in South Asia (Sri Lanka), I looked at this movie “Presence Of Love” with an Asian perspective. I think that is the main reason that I missed the points of view regarding this movie which you have described here. I understand that you are a more prolific person and watched this movie very close than myself to note those brief felling of the script on those couple of points. But in the end I am pleased that you praised this movie as a minor masterpiece, since this is one of my rare favourite romantic type of movie. Thank you for your view regarding this movie!
Janath