In the Key of Love

6.2/10 · 1,188 ratings20191h 23mWeirdness 3/10Bingo card

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The premise

Two years after leaving town, photographer Maggie is reunited with her ex-boyfriend Jake when his sister is getting married and wants Maggie to shoot the wedding. When she and Jake agree to sing the bride's favorite duet, the sparks are reignited.

How unusual is it?

Mostly classic comfort-watch, give or take a second-chance romance.

Who’s in it

Behind the camera

Show

Wait, what?

The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.

  • The Mayor's obsession with 'Fun Facts' which he numbers and recites constantly.
  • The 'world-famous snickerdoodle-thumbprints'mores cookies' mentioned as a political tool.
  • The 'Cell Phone Pilaf' (putting a wet phone in rice) being referred to as a 'Piedmount Island classic'.
  • The island's ferry schedule being the primary source of dramatic tension.

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 29 to find more movies that do the same thing.

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)
Maggie Case lives a quiet life on Piedmount Island, working as a photographer for her grandmother Evelyn’s wedding manor after a failed music career in Nashville. Her world is upended when Jake Colby, her former boyfriend and musical duo partner, arrives to act as the brother-of-the-bride for his sister Jennifer. Jennifer, aware of their history, has secretly booked a 'deluxe package' that forces Maggie to document every pre-wedding event, ensuring she and Jake spend constant time together. The tension is palpable as they revisit their breakup, which was caused by the high-pressure environment of the music industry and Jake's perfectionism. While Maggie has found peace in photography, Jake is struggling as a producer for pop star Ashleigh Z; he is under immense pressure to deliver a hit album but loses the rights to a crucial song at the last minute. Throughout the week, the pair participates in various island traditions, including a salsa dancing lesson where they rediscover their physical chemistry and a rehearsal dinner where they are pressured into singing their old songs. Maggie notices Jake has matured, becoming more spontaneous and less controlled by his career. When Jake’s professional crisis peaks, Maggie secretly rewrites one of their old unreleased songs, 'Footsteps,' into a new track called 'Worth Fighting For' and records a demo for him. Meanwhile, a subplot involves Sasha, Evelyn’s assistant, who feels stagnant in her role and considers a corporate job in Seattle until Evelyn finally agrees to make her a partner in the manor business. A crisis occurs the day before the wedding when the florist’s refrigerator breaks, destroying the wedding flowers. Maggie and Jake use their combined charm to convince the eccentric Mayor McCready to allow them to harvest his prize-winning private garden, saving the ceremony. At the wedding, Jake receives word that Ashleigh Z loves Maggie’s song but needs him to fly to Nashville immediately for a red-eye flight. He leaves, and a heartbroken Maggie performs their song solo for the first dance. However, Jake realizes mid-transit that his happiness lies with Maggie, not just the industry. He returns to the island during the reception, revealing that not only did he stay, but Ashleigh Z wants 'Colby & Case' to reunite and open for her at the Olympia in Paris. The film ends with the two reconciled, ready to take on the music world together on their own terms.

Beat by beat

  1. Opening

    Maggie is introduced as a photographer on Piedmount Island, having abandoned her Nashville singing career after a breakup with her partner, Jake.

  2. Inciting Incident

    Jake arrives on the island for his sister Jennifer's wedding, and Maggie is forced to be his constant companion due to a 'deluxe' photography package.

  3. Midpoint

    During a salsa lesson and a bonfire performance, Maggie and Jake realize their musical and romantic chemistry is still very much alive.

  4. Complication

    Jake loses the rights to a lead song for his production client, Ashleigh Z, threatening his career; Maggie helps him by rewriting an old song of theirs.

  5. Climax

    After saving the wedding flowers from a refrigeration disaster, Jake is called away to Nashville on the wedding day, seemingly choosing his career over Maggie.

  6. Resolution

    Jake returns to the island, choosing Maggie, and reveals they have been invited to perform together in Paris.

29 tropes in one movie

We counted 29 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.

How it stacks up

Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.

Rating 6.2 vs every rated Hallmark moviemedian 6.4This movie · 6.2567

Higher-rated than 27% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog In the Key of Love belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

Lines worth quoting

The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.

  • “Piedmount Island, where one week of tradition brings you a lifetime of love.”
    — SashaWelcoming the wedding guests to the island.
  • “I'm not saying she's in denial, but she does make her only granddaughter call her Evelyn.”
    — MaggieDiscussing her grandmother's refusal to retire.
  • “You can't rush the best cappuccino on the island, can you?”
    — MaggieTeasing Jake about the slow pace of island life.

Meet the characters

Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.

  • Maggie Case

    Lead

    Photographer and Songwriter

    TalentedCautiousResilientKind
  • Jake Colby

    Love interest

    Music Producer

    Former boyfriend and singing partner

    AmbitiousPerfectionistCharmingRegretful
  • Evelyn (Nana)

    Supporting

    Manor Owner

    Grandmother

    WiseMatchmakerDirect
  • Sasha

    Supporting

    Wedding Planner Assistant

    Friend and colleague

    OrganizedAmbitiousLoyal
  • Mayor McCready

    Supporting

    Mayor and Minister

    Local official

    EccentricProudCookie-obsessed

Questions people ask about In the Key of Love

Where can I watch In the Key of Love?

In the Key of Love is available via fuboTV, Philo, and YouTube TV. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

How long is In the Key of Love?

In the Key of Love runs about 1 hour and 23 minutes, and was released in 2019.

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