Despite the fact that this isn't the light fantasy romcom it seems to present itself as at the onset, Paging Mr. Darcy nevertheless becomes a breezy, likable little TV movie because it allows its main characters to be adult human beings. The story is still mostly fluff that ends far too abruptly, but for the most part, watching these two walk around and flirt from the very beginning makes for pleasant viewing. There isn't any pressure placed on these people to fabricate some sort of will-they-won't-they dynamic or to act accordingly to Jane Austen's work, and the result is a romance that feels so much simpler and so much more authentic than a Hallmark movie probably deserves.

Sometimes the mark of great romantic chemistry between actors isn't about how well they can smolder at each other but how convincing it looks when they bicker and goof around. Mallory Jansen and Will Kemp match each other's sillier energies very well, responding to each other's lines with a real playfulness and without any vanity for themselves. It feels like they're entirely aware of the kind of movie they're in, the reputation these things tend to have, and the parts of themselves they don't want to give up just for an easy paycheck.