Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Return to Office’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Scott Michael Foster and Janel Parrish as Tom and Liv in RETURN TO OFFICE. (Photo Courtesy of Allister Foster/Hallmark.) ©2024 Hallmark

It is definitely safe to say that single people have quite the sour view of dating in 2025, and with good reason. Because it’s simply a pain in this day and age. After all, the bar scene, everyone is learning, isn’t exactly the best place to find a true partner, and the shift to app-based dating has left so much to be desired. Since those apps are more eager to capitalize on revenue than they are on finding people someone to love. Not to mention, the anonymity and detachment apps provide for some individuals, leads to a rough experience for those who try them out. Which leaves all of those singles wondering, how on earth does one find a partner in this day and age?
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Because there has to be a way to find love, and there has to be a way to connect with people on a fundamental level that allows for us to feel that call to our soulmate, that draw that we outright crave. Well, there are indeed ways that people can still find love in 2025, it will just take some creativity to say the least. Such as say, thinking outside the box when it comes to where one conducts a search for a viable partner, and to outright… be honest and vulnerable. If anything, those concepts are relevant to our discussion today, simply because a new movie on the Hallmark Channel explores what going those routes could do to help singles in the modern world in Return to Office.

Which is a story that introduces us to Liv and Tom, a pair of opposites that are about to embark on a new work adventure. For Liv has helped to acquire Tom’s company, and their new boss wants to bring the new teams together through a return to office venture. Wherein folks will work alternating days and share desks, and little do Tom and Liv realize, that they are desk buddies. Which causes friction at first since they are so different in their working styles. But soon, they find common ground through notes and online chatting, and that leads… to vulnerable conversations and romantic draw to one another. The kind that could give them everything they’ve ever wanted romantically, if they’re willing to be open to one another.

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Which is a plot that at first glance, just seems to be a run of the mill romantic comedy, but the devil is in the details in this particular tale. Since it really does showcase how we sometimes forget that work and the places we find creative fulfillment might bring us what we seek if we’re willing to be open to such matters. Which isn’t easy since we treat work as a sanctuary, or punishment, depending upon the gig and we do isolate the special spaces for our mental health. But they could provide us with more if there’s someone in those spaces that we can, open up to, and oddly, their journey also reminds us… that we should never discount someone we think as an opposite as a viable partner. Because you never know if they might be the one, unless you explore the possibilities.
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But while all of that makes for a fine feature and some fine lessons, we’d be foolish to not point out that this film does more than the average Hallmark romance feature. Because it also offers some scathing satire and commentary on the modern workplace. Specifically, how it has become quite toxic in nature and is filled with uncertainty. Mainly because there are so many bosses out there, like Liv’s, who are egomaniacs that think they know best and thrive on their understanding of ‘innovation’ over what really makes the workplace worthwhile and successful. Which is the people that help it thrive, and that was unique to see in this story, since Hallmark doesn’t often branch into such commentary, but it was welcome.

If anything, it shows that Hallmark continues to evolve and wants to offer stories that provide more to its viewers and that, and the realistic nature of Liv and Tom’s courtship, really do add depth and realism to this story. Because a lot of what they do, reflects modern dating, since they chat via text and open up there since it can be a safe space, one that we perhaps don’t utilize enough in that regard and of course… they harbor those fears we all fear in the dating world. All of which gives rise to a satisfying feature. One that entertains as much as it teaches, since it also features quirky and fun moments that do make you laugh, and the characters are indeed charming and relatable. Courtesy of a story that truly reflects modern dating and modern life and offers up some fine advice on finding the partnership we all desperately seek.

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