To Barcelona, Forever: A Delightful Love Story Reimagined
Discovering Love in Stunning Spain
To Barcelona, Forever is the enchanting sequel to To Barcelona, With Love, both part of Hallmark Channel’s Passport to Love series. This film continues the charming journey of American women, played by Ashley Williams and Alison Sweeney, as they navigate the complexities of romance amidst the picturesque backdrop of Barcelona. While the first installment centered around Sweeney’s character, Erica, discovering her true love among friends, the sequel introduces Williams’ character, Anna, who finds herself in a humorous predicament to appease a traditional family. Together, these films create a beautifully cohesive narrative that is both heartwarming and comedic.
The Opening Scene: Barcelona Beckons
Opening Shot: Erica (Alison Sweeney) strolls through the vibrant streets of Barcelona, eventually arriving at her best friend Mateo’s flower shop. Clutching a breakfast bag, she embodies the essence of the city—whimsical yet grounded.
The Plot Unfolds: A Tale of Unforeseen Romance
The Gist: For those needing a refresher, in To Barcelona, With Love, Erica is an American translator whose life takes a refreshing turn when she realizes her literary talent while translating the wildly successful book Barcelona, Mi Amor by Anna Kelly (Ashley Williams). Now, in the sequel, Erica is crafting her own novel, while Anna pursues a food writing career across Europe.
Enter Nico (Alejandro Tous), Erica’s bookstore-owner boyfriend, who proposes during a celebration. The twist? Anna meets Javier Estrella (Miguel Brocca), a charming man linked to a prestigious saffron farm. As Anna seeks to write a feature on the family’s farm, Javier’s reluctance to share his family’s secrets adds a mysterious layer to their budding relationship.
A Comedy of Errors: Love Under Pretense
Fate intervenes when Anna’s car breaks down near Javier’s village, leading to a significant complication. He invites her to stay, urging secrecy from his traditional family. When the family discovers Anna’s presence, chaos ensues—their expectations of Javier’s fiancée become intertwined with Anna’s ambitions. Javier’s family is steeped in tradition; unless he marries within a specific timeframe, he risks losing the farm.
What begins as a charade becomes heartfelt as Anna relishes her makeshift role, finding a sense of belonging she has longed for. Yet, there’s an impending deadline; the harvest season approaches, threatening to uproot Anna’s newfound happiness.
Cinematic Parallels: A Journey Through Themes
What Movies Will It Remind You Of? The film taps into the classic “fake engagement turned genuine romance” trope, akin to Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. This modern rendition resonates with contemporary rom-coms like Anyone But You, providing the humor and warmth audiences crave.
Our Critical Take: An Engaging Viewing Experience
Our Take: While farce isn’t always my preferred genre, To Barcelona, Forever shines in its authenticity. Although Anna and Javier operate under a ruse, their chemistry is palpable from the start. As Erica and Nico join the fray, the quartet’s interactions are a delightful blend of humor and camaraderie.
Ashley Williams delivers a profound performance, layering Anna’s initially buoyant personality with vulnerability. Her growing affection for Javier creates a narrative depth that invites viewers into her emotional world—where longing meets potential heartbreak.
Final Thoughts: A Charming Farewell
Parting Shot: A celebratory gathering in Javier’s family home for Erica and Nico’s wedding concludes the film, leaving viewers with a sense of joy and completion.
Performance Worth Watching: The casting of Sweeney, Williams, Tous, and Brocca adds a believable dynamic that enhances their on-screen friendship, making them delightful to watch.
Memorable Dialogue: One humorous moment occurs when Anna asks Javier’s father for the Wi-Fi password. His charming confusion and delightful banter about cat videos endear them further.
The Verdict: Should You Stream It?
Our Call: STREAM IT! By the film’s end, it becomes bittersweet to realize this marks the conclusion of the To Barcelona series. Its irresistible charm will have you yearning for more escapades in this magnificent city.
Liz Kocan is a passionate pop culture writer based in Massachusetts, known for her triumph on the game show Chain Reaction.
