Directed by VW Scheich
Starring Ciara Hanna, James Maslow, Jason Burkey
Running time: 1 hour and 43 minutes

by Gary M. Kramer

Stars Fell on Alabama is as gentle and likable as the romantic country song that gives this modest, charming film its title. This predictable romance may lean into its genre conventions, but it is so aggressively wholesome that resistance is almost futile. Sure, cynics can scoff, and haters are gonna hate, but this film is just made for pre-teen girls or adults who cuddle up and watch Lifetime.

The story is right out of a romance novel. Bryce Dixon (James Maslow, of Big Time Rush fame) is an agent in Hollywood who represents rising star Madison Belle (Ciara Hanna). When he returns home to Willow Valley, AL, for his 15th high school reunion, he takes Madison along as his girlfriend. The couple are fake dating because Bryce refuses to mix business with pleasure. Madison, who is waiting to hear back about landing a leading role, agrees because she wants to get out of town to escape her on-again/off-again musician boyfriend, Zane (Zebedee Row).

Stars Fell on Alabama casts Bryce in what Hollywood agents might call the Tom Cruise role. He is self-satisfied and living the L.A. dream, but missing out on reality (and true love) because he always puts work first. Maslow is perfectly adequate in the role, appearing shirtless as often as the script by Robert Windom allows, but he is not very convincing as a good ol’ Southern boy.

Far more impressive is Ciara Hanna as Madison. She adorably embraces playing Bryce’s girlfriend and never makes it feel like she is acting the role. (Some ambiguity in this department could have generated some drama, but this film is refreshingly too straightforward for such plotting). Madison may toss off a lame joke about needing a passport to go to Alabama, or appreciate that their rental car is a monster truck, but her appeal is that she can read Bryce well enough to see the real him—even when he is hiding from himself. Hanna is ingratiating throughout the film, especially as she gets to know Bryce’s friends and has them tell embarrassing stories about her “boyfriend.” Actually, Stars Fell on Alabama might have benefited from being told from her point of view instead of his, but this is not a drawback.

As Bryce and Madison become more intimate—they are, of course, forced to kiss—they start to act on their attraction. And there are unwanted kisses that both characters have with others that create jealousy and friction in their fake relationship. When Zane turns up unexpectedly to woo Madison back, the inevitable drama is surprisingly slight. Stars Fell on Alabama is so relentlessly inoffensive that it is hard to fault it when it goes for the obvious.

The film does have some cheesy scenes. Chief among them is a montage on Main street where the Hollywood couple visit various storefronts designed with movie-themes. (It’s part of a contest the Mayor (Andrew Rush) thought up). And while the get-to-know-you visit to Bryce’s childhood home, is both sweet and corny, it could have been done without having Maslow crawl halfway through a doggie door, or for the actors to play a scene with a giant pet tortoise—even if it is affectionately named Bear, after Alabama football legend, Bear Bryant.

The only other real cringe-inducing moment is when Bryce gives his big, earnest speech that coming home has taught him life lessons.

Mostly, Stars Fell on Alabama is affable as when the characters break out line dancing or break into their old high school to go swimming one night. The film works best when it is in hangout mode, with characters cracking wise with each other, or having heartfelt moments. It is easy to smile along with them. Even the down-home humor, such as a running joke about Bryce’s former English teacher (Ginny MacColl) wanting Bryce to give her notes on her screenplay, is genial.

This film may be quaint and old-fashioned, but that—along with Hanna’s spirited performance—is why Stars Fell on Alabama is so downright enchanting.

Stars Fell on Alabama is now available for digital rental.