Cupid & Cate
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The premise
Cate has a vintage clothing store. She attends her nasty dad's birthday party/family gathering where she meets Harry. She's dating Philip but he's dull - contrary to Harry.
How unusual is it?
A fairly classic Hallmark setup with a quirk or two.
A rare specific
Tap to find the other Hallmark movies that share it.
Who’s in it
Behind the camera
ShowHide
Directed by
Wait, what?
The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.
- The protagonist's mother's death is attributed to a brain tumor that she claimed was 'full of fury and the raging indignation of the oppressed.'
- The father's extreme verbal aggression and the family's history of alcoholism are much darker than standard Hallmark fare.
- The 'immigrant hunch'—a specific way of eating food as if someone is going to take it away—is a recurring and odd character beat.
Every trope, all in one place
Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 36 to find more movies that do the same thing.
Time & season3
Characters7
Conflict7
Romance5
How it all plays out
Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.
Full story (spoilers)
Cate runs a vintage clothing boutique called 'Second Time Around' and is dating Philip, a man who views their relationship as a 'logical team' rather than a romance. During a birthday party for her overbearing and critical father, Dominic, Cate meets Harry Dietrich, a lawyer who is immediately taken with her. Unlike Philip, Harry appreciates Cate's unique style and independent spirit. As Cate and Harry begin to fall in love, Cate realizes she cannot marry Philip and breaks off their engagement. Meanwhile, Cate's sister Francesca, a doctor, performs a physical on Harry for insurance purposes and discovers an abnormally high white blood cell count. Francesca warns Cate that it might be leukemia, but Cate chooses to marry Harry in a private ceremony before the final diagnosis is confirmed. When the official results come in, Harry is devastated to learn he has leukemia and initially hurt that Cate knew about the possibility before their wedding. He begins aggressive chemotherapy, and the film depicts the grueling reality of his illness and the toll it takes on Cate. Amidst this crisis, Cate discovers she is pregnant. The pregnancy serves as a catalyst for family healing; Cate's flamboyant sister Cynthia helps with the shop, and even her stern father Dominic begins to soften, eventually revealing his own deep grief over his late wife's alcoholism and death. Harry eventually goes into remission, and Cate gives birth to a son named Patrick. The film concludes with a family gathering for Patrick's christening, where Cate and Dominic finally reach a point of mutual understanding and forgiveness, acknowledging that while the future is uncertain due to Harry's health, they will face it as a united family.
Beat by beat
Opening
Cate meets Harry at her father's birthday party while her relationship with her current boyfriend Philip is stalling.
Inciting Incident
Philip proposes to Cate by calling it 'the next logical step,' prompting Cate to realize she is in love with Harry instead.
Midpoint
Francesca discovers Harry's blood work is abnormal, suggesting leukemia; Cate marries Harry in a quick civil ceremony before the diagnosis is official.
Climax
Harry undergoes chemotherapy while Cate navigates a surprise pregnancy and the fear of losing him.
Turning Point
Dominic visits Harry while Cate is away, and the two men bond over chess and Dominic's war stories, bridging the gap between Cate and her father.
Resolution
Harry enters remission, the baby is born, and the family reconciles during a tense but honest Fourth of July dinner and subsequent christening.
36 tropes in one movie
We counted 36 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.
The backstory
- Music by Mark Adler.
Cupid & Cate is a 2000 American romantic drama television film directed by Brent Shields and written by Jennifer Miller and Ron Raley, based on the 1998 novel Cupid and Diana by Christina Bartolomeo. It stars Mary-Louise Parker and Peter Gallagher, with Bebe Neuwirth, Philip Bosco, Joanna Going, David Lansbury, Rebecca Luker, and Brenda Fricker in…
How it stacks up
Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.
Higher-rated than 20% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.
Where this one fits
The corners of the catalog Cupid & Cate belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.
- Hallmark July 4th MoviesA patriotic summer title.
- Hallmark Summer MoviesA sunny summer setting.
- Hallmark Wedding MoviesWedding bells are involved.
- Hallmark Baking & Cooking MoviesPlenty of time in the kitchen.
- Hallmark Single Parent MoviesA single parent finds love again.
- Hallmark Big City MoviesA big-city backdrop.
Lines worth quoting
The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.
“I call it... the immigrant hunch. I hunch over my food like--like I'm afraid somebody's gonna take it.”
— HarryHarry explains his eating habits to Cate during their first Chinese takeout date. “I'm doing it because it's a--makes sense. It's the next logical step.”
— PhilipPhilip's incredibly unromantic justification for proposing to Cate. “She wasn't sick. She was drunk.”
— FrancescaThe sisters finally confront their father about their mother's alcoholism during a heated dinner.
Meet the characters
Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.
Cate De Angelo
LeadVintage Clothing Store Owner
IndependentResilientArtisticGuardedHarry Dietrich
Love interestLawyer
Husband
CharmingPatientWittyBraveDominic De Angelo
AntagonistRetired / Handyman
Father
OverbearingCriticalGrievingTraditionalPhilip
SupportingBusinessman
Ex-fiancé
DullLogicalEmotionally distantCynthia
SupportingModel
Sister
FlamboyantSupportiveFashion-forward
Questions people ask about Cupid & Cate
Where can I watch Cupid & Cate?
Cupid & Cate is available via fuboTV, YouTube TV, and Philo. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.
How long is Cupid & Cate?
Cupid & Cate runs about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and was released in 2000.
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Curated by the Talking Hallmark team.Last updated .