Perfectly Prudence

Name: Perfectly Prudence
Genre: Valentine's Day, Suburb, Enemies to Lovers, Second Chance Romance, Former Exes
Released: 2011-01-01
Duration: 1 h 25 min
Rating: 5.6
Cast: Jane Seymour, Valerie Azlynn, Katherine Flynn, Matt Jones, Adam Kaufman

5.6/10 · 360 ratings20111h 25mValentine's DayWeirdness 4/10Bingo card

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The premise

Versatile technician Nigel and daughter Annie MacIntyre, officially her producer, are the only people people classy Prudence McCoy lets intervene in the traditional show on household tips she presents, third generation. But the TV station was bought by a tycoon, who sends his son Michael Merchant to modernize the show, assisted by studio executive Jack Jameson, Prue's ex. That includes a makeover and, even worse, co-host Angelica Adams, an immature bikini weather program presenter, who looks up to 'maternal' Prue. Her counter-move is no less daring.

Themes:Second chances Integrity vs. Commercialism Family secrets Female leadership The value of domestic wisdom

How unusual is it?

Middle of the road, with a twist — an enemies-to-lovers arc and a second-chance romance keep it from being totally by-the-book.

Who’s in it

Our Girl

Jane Seymour

as Prudence MacIntyre

Our Guy

Joe Lando

as Jack Jameson

Alongside them

Show all 10 cast

Behind the camera

Show

Directed by

Paul Schneider

Written by

Wait, what?

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

Nigel spilling hot coffee on his genitals in the opening scene
A 'Maginot Line' of catnip used to contain experimental cockroaches
Exploding lightbulbs caused by spraying perfume on them while hot
The primary antagonist's father being obsessed with his own dandruff
The 'Three Musketeers' theme being used to describe a TV production crew
The reveal that the protagonist's daughter is the result of a 25-year-old secret love affair with the corporate auditor

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 31 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)

The film opens with Annie MacIntyre producing her mother Prudence's show, 'At Home with Prudence,' while Nigel, the eccentric lab assistant, accidentally burns his genitals with hot coffee. The status quo is disrupted when corporate raider Morton Merchant buys the parent company and sends his son Michael and executive producer Jack Jameson to overhaul the show. Prudence is horrified to find that Jack is the man who left her 25 years ago after a whirlwind romance in London. Michael's 'creative' changes include hiring a weather girl named Angelica Adams as a co-host, implementing aggressive product placement, and booking edgy guests like a nihilistic band called Graveyard. Prudence resists these changes, particularly the 'sexing up' of her domestic brand. Meanwhile, Michael attempts to seduce Annie while secretly dating Angelica, a dynamic Nigel discovers while 'watching' them with a camera. Tensions peak when Jack, realizing Michael's predatory behavior toward Annie, punches him and gets fired. Prudence, Annie, Nigel, and Jack decide to form the 'Three Musketeers' (later joined by Angelica) to secretly film their own version of the season premiere behind Michael's back. They use Angelica to distract Michael with a picnic while they shoot the show their way. When Morton Merchant, known as 'Mister,' arrives for the screening, Prudence charms him by offering a 90-cent apple vinegar cure for his chronic dandruff. He loves the 'new' show, which is actually the classic version they filmed in secret. In the aftermath, Michael is banished to a TV station in Maine, and Angelica is hired as Annie's assistant. The film concludes with a major emotional beat: Prudence reveals to Jack that he is Annie's biological father, a secret she kept for 25 years because he had 'stolen her heart' and she didn't want him to have her baby. Jack and Prudence reconcile, ready to finally be a family.

Beat by beat

Opening
Prudence's show is bought by Morton Merchant, and her ex-lover Jack Jameson arrives to oversee changes.
Inciting Incident
Michael Merchant introduces Angelica Adams as a co-host and demands the show be 'sexed up' with product placement.
Midpoint
Michael manipulates Annie while dating Angelica; Nigel and Prudence realize Michael is a predator.
Climax
The team secretly films their own version of the premiere while Angelica distracts Michael with a champagne picnic.
Resolution
Prudence cures Morton Merchant's dandruff, wins his approval for the show, and banishes Michael to Maine.
Final Reveal
Prudence reveals to Jack that he is Annie's biological father, leading to a family reconciliation.

31 tropes in one movie

We counted 31 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.

Among the lower-rated Hallmark movies — the median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog Perfectly Prudence belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

BINGOA misunderstanding nearly ruins everythingExperimental bugs are kept behind a catnip barrierA thrifty pantry cure is offeredA big public romantic gestureAggressive product placement is forced inThe leads start out at oddsA warm hug that lingersA camera is used to spy on the new bossThe host resists having her brand sexed upThe story travels to another countryA shared meal around a crowded tableA change of heart by the final act★A famous celebrity character appearsA family reconcilesA shared errand turns into bondingA classic Hallmark meet-cuteA big event everyone is preparing forA charming local cafe or dinerA happy endingA local business is savedOld flames reuniteA first impression that turns out completely wrongA character loses their memoryThe leads kiss

Hallmark Bingo

Your Perfectly Prudence card is dealt.

Twenty-four squares pulled from this movie’s own quirks — the cosy classics, a few only-in-this-one curveballs, and a couple of decoys. Mark them as you watch.

Open your card

Lines worth quoting

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

“Rafael rossilini can't boil water! The Risotto he made on the show last year was inedible.”
— PrudencePrudence complaining about the guest list.
“It's like a maginot line ... impenetrable. The maginot line was a disaster. The Germans walked right around it. Exactly. That's why my maginot line is a circle.”
— Nigel and PrudenceDiscussing how to contain cockroaches with catnip.
“Call me morty. I think this could be the start of a very special friendship. Take care of that hair.”
— Morton Merchant and PrudenceAfter Prudence cures the CEO's dandruff.

Meet the characters

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

Prudence MacIntyre
Lead
TV Host/Domestic Guru
Strong-willedPerfectionistBritishProtective
Jack Jameson
Love interest
Executive Producer
Ex-lover and secret father of her child
RegretfulTalented cookProtectiveCynical
Michael Merchant
Antagonist
Creative Executive
Corporate Overseer
NarcissisticPredatoryArrogantManipulative
Annie MacIntyre
Supporting
TV Producer
Daughter
AmbitiousVulnerableCompulsiveLoyal
Nigel Forsythe
Supporting
Lab Assistant
Close friend and colleague
EccentricAccident-proneLoyalNerd

Questions people ask about Perfectly Prudence

How long is Perfectly Prudence?

Perfectly Prudence runs about 1 hour and 25 minutes, and was released in 2011.

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Perfectly Prudence