Lead with Your Heart
Where to watch
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United Kingdom5 ways
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The premise
When their parents contemplate splitting up, two teens hatch a scheme to make them realize how much they need each other.
How unusual is it?
Honestly? Not very — and that's the charm. It plays the hits, which is exactly the point for a cozy night in.
Who’s in it
Behind the camera
ShowHide
Directed by
Written by
Wait, what?
The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.
- The central conflict is about an existing 24-year marriage potentially ending in divorce, which is rare for the brand.
- The recurring obsession with 'Jeb Dogs' (hot dogs) as a plot point for character compatibility.
- Ben's father threatening to punch him into the middle of next week if he doesn't work out his marriage.
- The 'Married but living separately' concept being treated as a viable modern strategy before it inevitably fails.
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 23 to find more movies that do the same thing.
Setting2
Time & season3
Characters5
How it ends2
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)
The film opens with Maura and Ben Walker celebrating their 24th anniversary in the small town of Campbell. While Ben is a creature of habit who works for the Parks and Recreation department, Maura is an ambitious bank manager. Their lives are in transition as their daughter Lacey is in college and their son Adam is graduating high school. Maura is surprised by a visit from Continental Bank's president, Thomas Hardison, who offers her a six-week temporary management position at the main branch in Minneapolis. Ben encourages her to take it, though he remains behind in Campbell. While Maura thrives in the city, Ben spends his time with his coworker Sienna, leading to local gossip and concern from his children. The conflict escalates when Thomas offers Maura the Minneapolis job permanently. Ben is resistant to moving, citing the high cost of living and his love for his hometown. They attempt a 'married but living separately' arrangement, which quickly causes emotional distance. Their children, Lacey and Adam, become convinced their parents are headed for divorce, especially after Adam sees Ben dining with Sienna and Lacey sees Maura attending the ballet with Thomas. Adam, mirroring his father's fear of change, nearly sabotages his own relationship with his girlfriend Charlotte. Lacey eventually confronts Maura, telling her that their family is the best thing they ever built and she shouldn't let it die. Realizing the distance is untenable, Ben decides to resign from his job and move to Minneapolis to support Maura. Simultaneously, Maura decides to quit her new job to return to Ben. They meet at their 'special spot'—a scenic overlook—where they reconcile. Ben insists that Maura take the promotion, promising that they will grow together in the city. The film concludes with the family preparing for a cross-country RV trip to visit major league baseball stadiums before the couple officially relocates to Minneapolis.
Beat by beat
Opening
Maura and Ben celebrate their anniversary while facing the reality of their youngest child, Adam, leaving for college.
Inciting Incident
Maura is offered a temporary six-week management position at the main bank branch in Minneapolis.
Midpoint
The bank president offers Maura the permanent position, but Ben refuses to leave his life and job in Campbell.
Rising Action
The couple attempts a 'married but living separately' lifestyle, leading to misunderstandings involving coworkers and friends.
Climax
Lacey confronts Maura about the family falling apart, prompting both Maura and Ben to independently decide to sacrifice their careers for the marriage.
Resolution
Ben and Maura reunite at their special spot and agree to move to Minneapolis together, embracing change as a team.
23 tropes in one movie
We counted 23 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.
The backstory
- Music by Sean Nimmons-Paterson.
How it stacks up
Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.
Among the lower-rated Hallmark movies — the median is 6.4.
Where this one fits
The corners of the catalog Lead with Your Heart 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.
“Love lifts us up where we belong.”
— Maura and BenThe couple sings this together at the start and dances to it at the end, serving as their 'song'. “It feels like Maura's trying to shoehorn in some imaginary version of me to make it work for her.”
— Ben WalkerBen expressing his frustration that Maura wants him to change his lifestyle for the city. “This family? I mean, that's the best thing that you guys have done. And it's the best thing you guys will ever do. You can't just let that die.”
— Lacey WalkerLacey confronting Maura about the potential dissolution of their family unit.
Meet the characters
Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.
Maura Walker
LeadBank Manager
AmbitiousOrganizedDevoted motherScrapperBen Walker
Love interestParks and Recreation Supervisor
Husband
Creature of habitBaseball fanSupportiveResistant to changeAdam Walker
SupportingStudent
Son
Anxious about the futureAthleticObservantLacey Walker
SupportingCollege Student
Daughter
PerceptiveProtective of familyBluntSienna Halverstein
SupportingParks and Recreation Employee
Ben's coworker
SportyFriendlyKnowledgeable about baseballThomas Hardison
SupportingBank President
Maura's boss
ProfessionalSlickAppreciative of talent
Questions people ask about Lead with Your Heart
Where can I watch Lead with Your Heart?
Lead with Your Heart is available via fuboTV, YouTube TV, and Philo. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.
How long is Lead with Your Heart?
Lead with Your Heart runs about 1 hour and 24 minutes, and was released in 2015.
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