The setting in Mexico was beautiful, loved looking at the beach scenery. Unfortunately, there was no chemistry between the main female and either man. It was good background noise while I was working.
12 Reviews
Nice to look at, none of the feels.
mjnosse13 February 2019
Completely unbelievable coupling
ronalamont-9147221 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I don't need to add the words "wooden" and "expressionless" when it comes to "Shep's" acting ... other reviewers have already pointed it out.
The fact that this successful, driven beauty who is desperate to win her promotion and loves that her boyfriend is not only very handsome but is as driven as she is, would throw everything out of the window for a "camp counselor" she knew 20yrs before. Her first thought was that he wasn't "successful" and that he was hiding away from his true calling. She gave up her dreams of writing children's books in exchange for a super successful career in marketing so that makes perfect sense.
Her boyfriend's career in land development is rising and she's prepared for them both to do a bit of work on the trip but she's also expecting him to propose and looking forward to it.
There is no chemistry between she and Shep and she has to work very hard to try to carry the movie. He acts as if he didn't want to take the role.... and it should not have been offered to him. Perhaps he knew this too.
Poor Shep gets the girl but his trade-off is having to work in the rat race again in a suit and half-heartedly admit that family law (which she suggested was a "more acceptable" career) is so rewarding!!
None of this movie works except the backdrop.
Her boyfriend's career in land development is rising and she's prepared for them both to do a bit of work on the trip but she's also expecting him to propose and looking forward to it.
There is no chemistry between she and Shep and she has to work very hard to try to carry the movie. He acts as if he didn't want to take the role.... and it should not have been offered to him. Perhaps he knew this too.
Poor Shep gets the girl but his trade-off is having to work in the rat race again in a suit and half-heartedly admit that family law (which she suggested was a "more acceptable" career) is so rewarding!!
None of this movie works except the backdrop.
Mindless enjoyment
allisonjoys16 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The location of this was just what I needed in January. It wasn't one of the better storylines but I've seen way worse.
My take on the zero chemistry situation- I'm wondering if the problem was the characters and not necessarily the actors. Right from the start I found I was not rooting for these two to get together. They each seemed to be living rather nice lives.
The end scene at the bus stop was where I saw major problems with acting. The male played it too cool against the females overly emotional dialog. But I'm wondering if he was told to play it that way.
My take on the zero chemistry situation- I'm wondering if the problem was the characters and not necessarily the actors. Right from the start I found I was not rooting for these two to get together. They each seemed to be living rather nice lives.
The end scene at the bus stop was where I saw major problems with acting. The male played it too cool against the females overly emotional dialog. But I'm wondering if he was told to play it that way.
Lovely setting, listless performances
omijer27 February 2019
As a regular viewer of Hallmark movies, and someone clearly familiar with their style, patterns, and expected formulae, this movie had me interested and ready to enjoy. Sadly, the actors were so wooden in their performances, the movie turned into a major letdown. Credit, first, to the beautiful setting ..RIviera Maya is hard to beat..the beautiful foliage, blue-green waters, colorful resort all served to bring a romantic anticipation to the movie. However..despite Tricia Helfer's stunning beauty and skillful, energetic acting, she was cast alongside Paul Campbell, whose face never changes expression..whose acting is so wooden..that one wondered if he even read the description of his character. He was cast as the loving, romantic alternative choice Helfer makes..when realizing her current partner is lacking in commitment to their relationship. But Campbell has no expression on his face, often staring straight ahead as though he is reading his lines from a cue card, and he exudes absolutely no romantic vibes at all. Even his smiles are forced and constricted. The casting of this actor as a romantic leading man was a poor decision..No one would believe that the intelligent, beautiful, emotional leading lady would choose him over anyone..This film would have been a big success had the producers found a leading man with a more varied range of facial expressions..Sorry..a good movie gone bad because of Campbell's sheer inability to convey emotion and romance.
Sun, Sand, and No-mance
MickyG33320 April 2023
6.8 stars.
Helfer and Campbell have what I like to call forced attraction and it's obvious they are trying to be sincere. I enjoy both actors a lot, and I think they are very well developed as likable personalities in this movie, but the romance is too forced and then later it's too nonchalant.
I felt some tension at the beginning of the film but as time passed the x-ractor went right out the door. Hard to explain, just that down the line something went awry. I think it had to do with potential kisses that were awkwardly stopped short, but for no reason. It almost felt as if there was actually no attraction, a big no-no. That's ok, the sun, sand and entertainment were enough to keep me watching until the end.
The other guy is a very handsome driven man who is trying to secure her as his trophy wife, mainly for business reasons. She takes a bit too long to realize this, but I think that's part of the story. All said and done it's probably bad directing that led to 'Sun, Sand & Romance' only achieving average status.
Helfer and Campbell have what I like to call forced attraction and it's obvious they are trying to be sincere. I enjoy both actors a lot, and I think they are very well developed as likable personalities in this movie, but the romance is too forced and then later it's too nonchalant.
I felt some tension at the beginning of the film but as time passed the x-ractor went right out the door. Hard to explain, just that down the line something went awry. I think it had to do with potential kisses that were awkwardly stopped short, but for no reason. It almost felt as if there was actually no attraction, a big no-no. That's ok, the sun, sand and entertainment were enough to keep me watching until the end.
The other guy is a very handsome driven man who is trying to secure her as his trophy wife, mainly for business reasons. She takes a bit too long to realize this, but I think that's part of the story. All said and done it's probably bad directing that led to 'Sun, Sand & Romance' only achieving average status.
Wooden with zero chemistry
jk-692-2363949 September 2017
I am a Hallmark movie fan. 80% of the time, I think they do a great a job with mindless, fun, sweet movies. But the casting is all. This one felt so awkward and wooden. The leads, ( all of them), had zero chemistry. The men were really bad in this one. This had some odd casting. Who thought the two lead actors were good for a romance movie? Even the small parts were not good. It felt like someone cast their friends for a free trip to Mexico. Paul Campbell seemed like he was reading lines to a wall. He had no charisma or feeling to his part. The actress, Tricia Helfer was not bad. I think she had to work with stiff dialogue and actors so that did not help. Also I kept thinking why she did not have the spark she has in the Netflix series, "Shut Eye" until I looked her up. I thought she was KaDee Strickland! These two look like twins. The story was beyond predictable, like a dime store romance. I do realize this is what Hallmark makes. As I said, many times I find them cute and fun. This one was rather painful to watch. The end felt rushed and wrapped up in a neat little bow. I can forgive many things, but 100% lack of any chemistry between the leads, is one thing you cannot fake. It felt like they did not even actually like each other. There was not even a friend vibe.
Ok, but not the best coupling
SunnyDaise23 May 2021
The plot and soundtrack are ok and the scenery is lovely. However the lead characters just don't look the same age like they're supposed to. I get that they live very different lives now so it's sort of understandable at a stretch but I think the casting team could have done a better job to really make the movie believable. Everything else was fine for this style of movie so I would rewatch.
Maybe I am getting cynical or just growing up
susie_r_morgan28 August 2019
I would love for them to make a film where the leading lady leaves the big city to move to the sticks, then meets up with with someone from the city and realises how much she loves the city, the shopping, convenience and everything else.
Great movie
beachgirl-869602 February 2022
One of my favorites! I absolutely love Paul Campbell! You can't go wrong with anything he is in! I thought this movie was good! The acting was not bad as some have said! Paul is a wonderful actor and so were the other actors in this! I don't understand how anyone did not enjoy this movie or many of the other Halmark movies that have bad reviews. I've reviewed a few as being bad but this movie was not one of them!
Romance in the sand
TheLittleSongbird19 December 2021
Tricia Helfer is always worth watching, have not liked every film of hers but have seldom had a problem with her. Have also found Paul Campbell watchable in other things, though he is less consistent in performances and filmography. The premise did sound very nice and charming and had potential to work. Was a little worried though reading the reviews and also because most of the previous 2017 Summer Nights films doing little for me.
'Sun, Sand and Romance' unfortunately is another 2017 Summer Nights film to do little for me. Not as bad as the previous film 'At Home in Mitford' (one of the worst Hallmark films that year and this is including on its own terms, not just because of it being a very poor adaptation), but it's on par with the mediocre 'Eat, Play, Love' and for reasons fairly similar to that film. Helfer comes off very well and saves the film from disaster, but it must not have been easy carrying a film pretty much by herself.
As said, Helfer is the best thing about 'Sun, Sand and Romance' in a performance full of energetic spirit and charm and she wholly succeeds in making her character likeable and easy to connect with. Very, very close behind is the setting, which is nothing short of ravishing and shot beautifully. It really is one of Hallmark's best looking films from that year that is unfortunately not matched by some of the worst casting up to this point of the output.
Did think too that some of the music was quite nice and the female supporting cast performed reasonably well albeit with so little.
Campbell however is a disaster in the male lead role, a complete blank and very wooden. Expressions are very limited and none are done convincingly. His character is as bland in personality and development as one can get and has no life. The rest of the cast don't register in flat roles. There is no chemistry between Helfer and Campbell, she really does try to give spark but he is practically fighting her every step of the way by looking as though he had given up. The relationship is not very well developed either, not going anywhere and then gets somewhere later on in a hasty manner.
The script is very cheesy and awkward, especially in the contrived final act that culminates in the obligatory too tidy but also slightly anti-climactic ending. The story also doesn't match Helfer's verve or the setting's beauty, it's too thin, very run of the mill from throwing in and recycling most Hallmark cliches, is dully paced from over stretching and has very little to it emotionally. The direction is routine.
In summary, very lacklustre with two main redeeming qualities and one aspect in particular that brought it down significantly. 4/10.
'Sun, Sand and Romance' unfortunately is another 2017 Summer Nights film to do little for me. Not as bad as the previous film 'At Home in Mitford' (one of the worst Hallmark films that year and this is including on its own terms, not just because of it being a very poor adaptation), but it's on par with the mediocre 'Eat, Play, Love' and for reasons fairly similar to that film. Helfer comes off very well and saves the film from disaster, but it must not have been easy carrying a film pretty much by herself.
As said, Helfer is the best thing about 'Sun, Sand and Romance' in a performance full of energetic spirit and charm and she wholly succeeds in making her character likeable and easy to connect with. Very, very close behind is the setting, which is nothing short of ravishing and shot beautifully. It really is one of Hallmark's best looking films from that year that is unfortunately not matched by some of the worst casting up to this point of the output.
Did think too that some of the music was quite nice and the female supporting cast performed reasonably well albeit with so little.
Campbell however is a disaster in the male lead role, a complete blank and very wooden. Expressions are very limited and none are done convincingly. His character is as bland in personality and development as one can get and has no life. The rest of the cast don't register in flat roles. There is no chemistry between Helfer and Campbell, she really does try to give spark but he is practically fighting her every step of the way by looking as though he had given up. The relationship is not very well developed either, not going anywhere and then gets somewhere later on in a hasty manner.
The script is very cheesy and awkward, especially in the contrived final act that culminates in the obligatory too tidy but also slightly anti-climactic ending. The story also doesn't match Helfer's verve or the setting's beauty, it's too thin, very run of the mill from throwing in and recycling most Hallmark cliches, is dully paced from over stretching and has very little to it emotionally. The direction is routine.
In summary, very lacklustre with two main redeeming qualities and one aspect in particular that brought it down significantly. 4/10.
Serves its purpose as background noice
MIssM1923 May 2023
Kate is going on "holiday" with her boyfriend of a year to relax and expecting a wedding proposal. While there she runs into an old friend from camp, Shep, and they reconnect and he encourages her to get out of her comfort zone, which the boyfriend couldn't do because he doesn't care (we all know how those men are)
I really like Paul and I have seen Tricia in other projects and have really enjoy those as well, but she simply isn't Hallmark material. I'm sorry. There was no chemistry between the two of them. And while the setting was dreamy (who would want to be in a fancy resort?) there was no element in this movie good enough to save this. Not even Paul Campbell.
I really like Paul and I have seen Tricia in other projects and have really enjoy those as well, but she simply isn't Hallmark material. I'm sorry. There was no chemistry between the two of them. And while the setting was dreamy (who would want to be in a fancy resort?) there was no element in this movie good enough to save this. Not even Paul Campbell.
A Very Enjoyable Romance Movie
mfreburg-946-1375413 April 2024
Sun, Sand & Romance (2017) Hallmark/Prime Video
It seems that most reviewers either disliked Tricia Helfer or disliked Paul Campbell as the leads in this film. I happen to like both actors and thought they were well suited to their roles playing two old friends who meet up again after 20 years. I've seen both of them in several other romance films, and I can't think of any offhand that I didn't like. In my opinion, the two stars worked very well together. I thought they had definite chemistry, and were a much better match than Helfer and her current boyfriend, played by Scott Elrod. He had nothing to offer and was oblivious to his girlfriend's desires during their entire joint vacation.
A couple other actors stood out in this film. Sadie Robertson, playing part of the resort staff, was one. She was enthusiastic, energetic, and fun.
Another was Tim Russ playing a land developer that took boyfriend Elrod away from Helfer for days and allowed her to spend time with Campbell. Russ was extremely believable in that role. Otherwise, why would a guy go on vacation with his girlfriend only to leave her alone for so much time?
As others mentioned, the scenery in the film was spectacular. I also found no faults with the technical aspects. The story was sweet, and the ending was touching. Give this one a try.
It seems that most reviewers either disliked Tricia Helfer or disliked Paul Campbell as the leads in this film. I happen to like both actors and thought they were well suited to their roles playing two old friends who meet up again after 20 years. I've seen both of them in several other romance films, and I can't think of any offhand that I didn't like. In my opinion, the two stars worked very well together. I thought they had definite chemistry, and were a much better match than Helfer and her current boyfriend, played by Scott Elrod. He had nothing to offer and was oblivious to his girlfriend's desires during their entire joint vacation.
A couple other actors stood out in this film. Sadie Robertson, playing part of the resort staff, was one. She was enthusiastic, energetic, and fun.
Another was Tim Russ playing a land developer that took boyfriend Elrod away from Helfer for days and allowed her to spend time with Campbell. Russ was extremely believable in that role. Otherwise, why would a guy go on vacation with his girlfriend only to leave her alone for so much time?
As others mentioned, the scenery in the film was spectacular. I also found no faults with the technical aspects. The story was sweet, and the ending was touching. Give this one a try.
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