Unthinkably Good Things

Join Megan and Wendy for an episode of Girls Gone Hallmark as they dive into the sun-drenched hills of Tuscany to review the 2022 movie, Unthinkably Good Things. Originally aired on August 28, 2022, this film marks a significant milestone as the first production under Hallmark’s Mahogany brand.

The story follows Allison, a woman at a crossroads in her life, who finds clarity and sisterhood when her two best friends visit her in Italy. In this episode, we break down the movie’s production, its place within the Hallmark ecosystem, and whether it lived up to the hype of being a cross-platform “event”.

Listen to Girls Gone Hallmark’s Review of Unthinkably Good Things

News and Notes About Unthinkably Good Things

• The Mahogany Brand Legacy: Though the movie initiative is new, the Mahogany brand actually started in 1987 as a 16-card promotion within Hallmark. It was created specifically to celebrate the cultures of people of color and has since evolved into a year-round multimedia offering.
• Direction and Script: The film was directed by Terri J. Vaughn, a multi-talented actor, director, and producer with over 70 acting credits, including roles in Insecure and The Neighborhood. The script was penned by professional writer and producer Cas Sigers-Beedles.
  Leading Ladies:
• Karen Pittman (Allison): Fans may recognize her from her prominent roles in The Morning Show and the Sex and the City revival, And Just Like That.
• Joyful Drake (Melina): Joyful previously appeared in Chasing Waterfalls alongside Hallmark favorite Cindy Busby.
• Erica Ash (Reesa): Rounding out the trio of friends, Erica plays the character grappling with the pressures of starting a family.
• Supporting Cast: The film also stars Lance Gross as Andre and Luca Seta as Nico, Allison’s Italian love interest.
• On-Location Filming: Unlike many Hallmark movies filmed in Canada, this production was filmed entirely on location in Italy (specifically Tuscany and Rome) during March 2022.
  

What We Liked about Unthinkably Good Things

• Focus on Friendship: We both loved that the film prioritized the bond between adult women over a typical romance-heavy plot, drawing comparisons to the “sisterhood” vibe of The Wedding Veil.
• Realistic Chemistry: The conversational flow and inside jokes between the lead actors felt authentic and far from “stilted,” which Wendy noted was a step up from other recent releases.
• Stunning Visuals and Wardrobe: The on-location filming in Italy provided a beautiful backdrop, and the wardrobe was aspirational and perfectly tailored to each character’s individual style.
• Relatable, Mature Themes: We loved that the script tackled difficult conversations regarding infertility, career changes, and medical scares, making it feel more like a “real movie” than a standard escapist fantasy.
• Authentic Perspective: Megan specifically highlighted the inclusion of storylines that reflect the unique pressures faced by women of color, such as Allison’s internal conflict over choosing career stability.

What We Wished For While Watching Unthinkable Good Things

• More Time for Side Stories: While the movie had a lot of depth, Megan wished the two supporting leads (Reesa and Melina) had more screen time to do their individual storylines justice, suggesting that a sequel or a trilogy approach—similar to The Wedding Veil—would have worked well.
• Stronger Character Consistency: Megan found it slightly unbelievable that a “badass, retired military” character like Reesa would run away to Italy rather than having a direct, tough conversation with her husband about their future.
• Improved Pacing: Wendy felt the final third of the movie “dragged a little bit,” particularly during the scenes where Allison weighed her job options.
• Better Marketing Balance: We wished Hallmark would show more consistency in its social media promotion, noting a significant gap between the number of posts for this diverse cast versus other films starring network regulars

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