At Home in Mitford (2017 TV Movie) User Reviews

A little too perfect, but that's what Hallmark's for!

[HotToastyRag · 7/10 · 25 July 2019]

Welcome to Mitford, a town so small "the country club" is referred to as just that. There's one bookstore, one church, one realtor, and endlessly sunny days where the sun still shines even after a dinner date. Welcome to Mitford, a town so small that two women spend their morning gossiping about why one woman arrived unannounced at a man's house and wasn't introduced to the other woman sitting in his living room. "That's...odd." "That's what I thought!" Welcome to Mitford, a town so small no one has any secrets for long, proving to be the perfect place for a big-city writer to go to when she has writer's block.

Andie MacDowell leaves Boston for a stay in her uncle's country house to help her write her next children's book. Her next door neighbor is Cameron Mathison, the ridiculously perfect Episcopalian priest with absolutely no flaws. He might be one of the most perfect Hallmark heroes ever, which is saying something. If you're not in the mood for something so corny and unrealistic, you might want to put this one on hold for a while. He's handsome, fit, good with kids, caring with animals, handy around the house, keeps a clean house, has good fashion sense, endless patience with listening to people's problems, gives gentle advice just at the moment someone needs it, never loses his temper and speaks so soothingly he could put the most agitated person to sleep, talks about his feelings easily, and rides a motorcycle. Anything else? Oh yeah, his idea of a problem is spilling club soda on his outfit.

If you're at all worried about Cam and Andie's budding romance, you should remind yourself that this is a Hallmark movie. If you're still worried, here's your guarantee: Immediately after the rival love interest, Ken Tremblett, staggers from the house, sneezing because of his allergy to Andie's cat, Cam smiles and tells Andie and the audience, "I love cats!"

The good news is if you've had a really bad day and want to watch a movie where everyone's problems get resolved, you can pop this Hallmark romance in and have a wonderful stress-free evening. At my house, the Hallmark channel is on for three weeks straight in December, so sometimes, these movies come in handy. You'll also get an enormous amount of eye candy. Cam is handsome and clean cut, Andie is breathtakingly beautiful, and Andie's ragdoll kitty is so precious.

Classic Andie in a small town

[phd_travel · 6/10 · 14 September 2018]

There is something relaxing about watching Andie Macdowell in quaint small towns. Here she is a writer who comes to a small town and next door to a Episcopalian priest Cameron Mathison. There is a smal triangle with a realtor and not much drama.

The only unique thing about this movie is it shows the romance of a religious man but otherwise it's pretty standard fare.

pretty good for a Hallmark romance

[novagirl11 · 5/10 · 12 July 2018]

I haven't read the book to compare it to, but the story arc was standard with some interesting characters and a beautiful setting. I expected a little more from a movie made in 2017, but I can't grasp exactly what was missing, though.

It's Own Merit

[VintageSoul56 · 20 October 2018]

I had no idea that there was a Mitford book series. I read some of the reviews from people who had read the books and they were not complimentary. However, I enjoyed the movie on it's own stand alone merit. It was a nice easy pretty picture, but had more depth in it than a lot of Hallmark movies. I thought that it was good.

I love Hallmake movies but not so much this one....

[skpn123 · 7/10 · 29 January 2021]

The book source for this story is awesome providing so much to work and the movie showcases a beautiful dog and cat to add adorableness but this movie was a bit irritating in its shallowness and didn't take full advantage of its assets including the talented cast.

It did however improve as the movie progress (and the relationship developed)

The two most eligible singles in Mitford come together!

[cgvsluis · 7/10 · 3 February 2022]

I love both Andie McDowell and Cameron Mathison and I thought they were next to perfect together.

Andie plays a famous writer and divorcee who has writers block. She goes to the small town of Mitford where she wrote her first book and where her deceased uncle once lived. She moves into his home with her cat violet hoping to fix it up and get some work done on her new book. Her next door neighbor, played by Cameron Mattison, just happens to be pastor Tim, the most eligible bachelor in town. The two meet over a couple unfortunate accidents...but is seems like magnets, something is bringing them together.

It is sweet and idyllic. The two help a lonely boy and each other. Mellow and beautiful at the same time...and one who is a fan of romantic Hallmark films will enjoy this one as well.

I haven't read the book

[MickyG333 · 6/10 · 24 April 2023]

6.3 stars.

I get to provide an unbiased review as someone who did not read the book. Here goes. This is not a fun film, it's not a totally boring film, but it's surely a sad one. This Episcopal Father falls in love with a city gal who comes back to this small town to sell her uncle's home. Her uncle has recently died etc, etc... There are many other people in this town that "fall in love" with her, from men to women to a little boy and even a dog (sorta). One other man is vying for her affections as well, and he's doing a darn good job of leaving this preacher in the dust. We can see the preacher is a shoe-in as she is attracted more to him, but he is obviously rusty as this game of courtship.

This story is commentary on the unfortunate reality of men in the clergy and their stigma of dating. It's as if he has a major disadvantage because he can't be possessive or aggressive, he has to be passive and "kindhearted", which could be another word for too delicate in the dating rat race.

What's missing with this story? Andie MacDowell. I haven't seen her give a really heartfelt performance since 'Groundhog Day'. Something is not quite right in her acting style, I feel like acting is a burden for her, as if she has better things to do.

Whether you've read the book or not, 'At Home in Mitford' is just that, it probably only feels at home in Mitford, which is not anywhere around here.

Ruined another great book!

[jemoore964 · 3/10 · 20 August 2017]

So disappointing! I am a huge fan of the books and had hoped this would be made into a film for a long time. This mess doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath. Father Tim is supposed to be 59 and balding! Major characters are missing like Puny, Miss Sadie Baxter, Uncle Billy and Miss Rose. Instead they throw in new characters that are not needed to hold the plot together. I am sad they did such a poor job of filming a lovely book! Now I know why the author has done no promotion of this film.

Wrong Title

[debfullofjoy · 8/10 · 31 May 2020]

The movie itself was good, better than a lot of the Hallmark movies because of the actors and the storyline. There was one big problem though! Why did they call it At Home in Mitford? They could have titled it anything else and called the characters different names and it would have just been a good Hallmark movie. It was nothing like the Jan Karon books, which I loved, and which everyone else pointed out. I can't believe anyone signed off on that representing her work.

Artistic Dishonesty-At Home In Mitford

[jantfl61-1 · 1/10 · 21 August 2017]

The screenplay writer took a wonderful book, used two characters, Father Tim and Cynthia, eliminated the other characters. The book's plot was rewritten as a romantic TV movie. It would have been much easier to stick to the original Jan Karon story line. The lead characters were too young to play the characters. Hope that others will complain to Hallmark Channel

Don't believe the bad reviews! Those who read the books are harsh!

[smithduke · 9/10 · 2 April 2018]

Let me start by saying I love everything Cameron Mathison!!! He is so genuine and likable it is hard not to enjoy his movies! However, I felt Andie MacDowell was a bit pompous and strict in this movie. No surprise since she seems to play that character in many of her films. She looked a lot older compared to Mathison, which she is. Even so, Mathison lit up this movie with his charm. No, I have not read the books but I will now. Maybe it is better that I watched this first vs. reading the book. Cynicism would have taken over if I had.

Weak as pond water

[okbeth · 1/10 · 28 August 2017]

How could Hallmark miss the mark of this wonderful, redemptive story so badly???!!! Why are you trying to be like every other shallow love story? The story is so much more. The book(s) is about an aging circa 60 year, balding, pudgy Episcopal priest and a 50-something wife finding each other and healing and redemption multiplied. The book's story stands on it's own and doesn't need tampering in the slightest. You left out some of the most beloved characters. No wonder Jan Karon was so hesitant to release the rights. I'm certain her worst fears were realized. PLEASE don't make a sequel.

Don't bother...

[joantalbert · 1/10 · 1 October 2017]

Remember to good Hallmark movies? This is not one of them! Finally watched it on YouTube. Please don't use that screenwriter, casting director, etc. again, if you intend to make sequels. I am on Jan Karon's FB page and never knew this movie was going to be made. She must have given up all rights to casting. I would have donated money to a kickstarter account to make the movie the way she wanted. I envisioned Beau Bridges as Father Tim, and Emma Thompson as Cynthia (American accent). If anyone in the entertainment business read AARP Magazine, they would know that many of us want movies with mature actors. Sheesh. Not Cameron Matheson as Father Tim. Not even close. What a shame.

Loved it

[phycoder · 10/10 · 28 August 2017]

I never go in expecting a TV show to be like the book because it never is and there is a smaller chance of disappointment. I loved this because it was a lighthearted love story between a small town priest and a big city writer as well as the all encompassing love a small community can share. I most definitely would watch again. Great casting as well. Cameron Mathison did a great job. The acting seemed less forced than other Hallmark movies and as always I hope that Hallmark continues to make shows like this. A lighthearted movie is a great escape from the realities we all face daily

Boy meets Andie version of Jan Karon's touching story about an Episcopal priest in a small North Carolina town.

[mildredhouser · 1/10 · 22 August 2017]

I could not even finish the first half hour. . . . It was just a "boy meets Andie" movie that we've seen before in Cedar Cove. Andie, Andie, Andie, you should have let Ms. Karon have more say. She created multi-dimensional, vulnerable, redemptive characters. Y'all didn't even come close. Greatly disappointed.

I Loved This Movie

[robertchis · 9/10 · 13 February 2021]

I have read the Mitford series, and think Hallmark got the major points of this story right. I think Hallmark did a great of making a nice adaption of Jan Karon's book. Ig you are book purist this movie was a disappointment. Whoever would have made this movie, would have had angry fans. The filmmakers do not have the abilities to get into each fan's head. This book and movie are to different beings and not the same. I feel the film did a great job with the spirit of mitford. Congratulations for a job well done.

Did the screen writers even try reading the book first?

[terisechrist · 1/10 · 16 March 2018]

The book was wonderful, full of quirky characters including Father Tim and Cynthia. I saw nothing of the book's characters in the movie, that I could even remotely identify the way Jan Karon magically painted them in her book.

A travesty

[drjoneslc · 2/10 · 21 August 2017]

Did Jan Karon agree to this? The story has been watered down and fluffed. I don't get it. The actors are all wrong, and the dialogue is silly. This is total Hallmark and not at all Karon. How did this happen? These excellent books deserve so much better screen writing and acting. This is so disappointing.

Loved this movie

[lanafae · 10/10 · 24 August 2017]

I loved the Mitford books and I really enjoyed this movie. Took me right back to Mitford. Casting was great Thank you Hallmark. Please make more of Jan Karon's books into movies. Thought it was excellent. So nice to be able to watch movies of this caliber. Great to watch with the whole family.

Wish I hadn't wasted the time

[dgraceofgod · 3/10 · 23 October 2017]

If I could speak to Hallmark, I would ask that they change the name of this movie. Otherwise, they should put a disclaimer on the opening credits - do not watch this movie if you are a fan of the Jan Karon books. I can't begin to understand why they had to change the ages and characterizations of the main characters, the setting, the backstory for Dooley, Olivia Davenport, Marge Owen's, Happy Endings Bookstore, etc. etc. etc. I just cannot understand why you'd buy the rights to a book and then rip it apart for the screen. This deserved a better treatment.

No wonder author didn't want books to become films

[msmith-11891 · 3/10 · 23 October 2017]

No wonder Jan Karon did not want her books to be made into movies. She didn't want any tampering with the existing characters and especially not the additions of new ones. What she was concerned about has come true. The beloved stories and characters have been distorted when set to film.

At Home in Mitford

[whmerwinjr · 1/10 · 23 August 2017]

I love Hallmark. I like the uplifting boy meets girl, live happily ever after stories. But the complexity and spirituality of the Mitford books was totally lost in this movie. Hallmark missed the opportunity to develop this into a great series.

Fr. Tim was totally miscast. Cameron Mathison is a great romantic lead, but this was not the role for him. In the books, his character demonstrates the wonder and glory of finding love late in life. He is a pudgy, bespectacled, balding diabetic. His diabetes and depression are an integral part of the novels.

In addition to depression and diabetes, alcoholism, Alzheimer's and mental illness are dealt with in informative and compassionate manner.

Please don't do this to the rest of the Mitford novels.

Not the real Mitford

[queenknitter-1 · 3/10 · 21 August 2017]

I agree with jemoore! If you had never read the books, it's a nice movie with a sweet story. But since I've read & reread the series several times over the years, this did not depict Jan Karon's true vision. The homes of the main 3 characters were very wrong, as was the church & the actors for those roles, even the animals were wrong. Silly as it sounds, I made a list of everything that was off from the books. I enjoyed it, but not for the spirit of the books, just as another decent Hallmark movie.

Totally no At Home in Mitford

[whitford-61566 · 1/10 · 22 May 2021]

This would be an ok movie, if you have never read the At Home in Mitford series of books by Jan Karon. The movie falsely gives the main character to a book writer who comes to Mitford. She appears much later than the beginning of the books. The main character is a quirky 60 year old Episcopalian priest, not a 40 something priest! Many of the original stories of the supporting characters are totally discounted, thus not the same book at all. Never been so disappointed to watch a movie that while had the title correct did not follow the books at all. Thus the 1 star rating.

horribly disappointed

[sheriberry-31950 · 1/10 · 8 March 2019]

I love the book series by Jan Karon, I love Andie McDowell, but this movie is a travesty! Nothing is true to the story. Characters are either all wrong or missing altogether. It would have been better to not attempt this story at all rather than hack it up like it is. Father Tim is the main character in the books, it seems they have made Andie McDowells character Cynthia Coppersmith the heroine. Father Tim is turning 60 in the beginning of the Mitford series, thinning and receding hair and somewhat overweight and diabetic. I've been hoping someone would see the merits of the wonderful books, but this is worse than nothing!