6.6 stars.
The best part of this film is the two Puerto Rican brothers. Lacey Chabert is her usual self, just add wetsuit and some sort of strange bronze colored makeup (which makes her look like a talking statue). Otherwise 'Groundswell' has many touching moments, I actually shed a few tears. All of the teary moments are a result of the male lead and his brother who somehow evoke an emotional response. In contrast with those dramatic and heartfelt moments are the majority of ordinary moments, intermingled with the plethora of impractical moments...she is surfing. Very unbelievable, and I was a skeptic as soon as I saw this movie, but I figured I've come this far with Hallmark, might as well keep on chugging. So it's not plausible that he character can surf, and its obvious with the body double the only similarity is long dark hair...
The two males are decent actors, although it seemed to take a while for them to warm up. Once they got comfortable it was they who kept me interested in the story, almost as if Chabert was a secondary. As things get more serious with the relationship and the food competition, the film becomes easier to watch. As I stated above, there are too many ordinary and odd moments. 'Groundswell' is fundamentally dull. There are very few entertaining scenes, in fact the only entertaining parts were when her celebrity chef boyfriend steals her thunder and takes all the credit for himself. Those few scenes were tense and fun (albeit frustrating).
If you are looking for a couple of male Borinkis with some lively brother drama and cool surfing mixed in, you might like this movie. Of course, if you love Chabert in everything, then this is for you. She is hit and miss for me, and this film is a far cry from her better performances. Something is amiss, and I feel she is out of her element in the Aloha State.
The best part of this film is the two Puerto Rican brothers. Lacey Chabert is her usual self, just add wetsuit and some sort of strange bronze colored makeup (which makes her look like a talking statue). Otherwise 'Groundswell' has many touching moments, I actually shed a few tears. All of the teary moments are a result of the male lead and his brother who somehow evoke an emotional response. In contrast with those dramatic and heartfelt moments are the majority of ordinary moments, intermingled with the plethora of impractical moments...she is surfing. Very unbelievable, and I was a skeptic as soon as I saw this movie, but I figured I've come this far with Hallmark, might as well keep on chugging. So it's not plausible that he character can surf, and its obvious with the body double the only similarity is long dark hair...
The two males are decent actors, although it seemed to take a while for them to warm up. Once they got comfortable it was they who kept me interested in the story, almost as if Chabert was a secondary. As things get more serious with the relationship and the food competition, the film becomes easier to watch. As I stated above, there are too many ordinary and odd moments. 'Groundswell' is fundamentally dull. There are very few entertaining scenes, in fact the only entertaining parts were when her celebrity chef boyfriend steals her thunder and takes all the credit for himself. Those few scenes were tense and fun (albeit frustrating).
If you are looking for a couple of male Borinkis with some lively brother drama and cool surfing mixed in, you might like this movie. Of course, if you love Chabert in everything, then this is for you. She is hit and miss for me, and this film is a far cry from her better performances. Something is amiss, and I feel she is out of her element in the Aloha State.