Sweet Carolina (2021 TV Movie) User Reviews

Hallmark takes a daring step in the right direction.

[rebekahrox · 8/10 · 17 May 2021]

It's not often Hallmark actresses get to portray anguish on camera. Luckily they have a real pro and bona fide actress in Lacey Chabert, who did a very credible job. I can think of very few in the stable of regulars who could have pulled off the scene where she learns her beloved sister and brother-in-law have been killed. I cried. The whole ensemble handled the story very well. You can tell they pulled out the "big guns" to meet the challenge of a script that actually called for a range of emotion: Gregory Harrison and Teryl Rothery as the parents, good ole Peter Benson as the city boyfriend who gets dumped for the small town coach, who was played by the always welcome Tyler Hynes. I appreciated that they got a normal looking kid who could act to play the introverted son.

There were very realistic problems and conflicts that had to be resolved. The father was a good guy, but too controlling. Gregory Harrison managed to keep him likable. I groaned when they were setting up for the customary Hallmark food fight ( or snowball fight if it's winter) but it was actually funny, thanks to the performances.

It was good to see Hallmark break out of it's own box a little bit. Fear not, most of the usual templates were still in place, but baby steps! Kudos.

P. S, I just noticed that Lacey Chabert was actually one of the writers. You go, girl!

Good intentions in Carolina

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 10 March 2022]

Expectations were higher here in 'Sweet Carolina' than for most of the 2021 Hallmark films. The setting is beautiful and really did like the idea of the story. It was great to have something more family relationship oriented in a more grown up way (Hallmark are no strangers though to that kind of film and actually have done it quite well and at times very well) rather than the typical formulaic Hallmark romantic comedy type of film. Have always found Lacey Chabert and Tyler Hynes watchable.

'Sweet Carolina' certainly is watchable, actually found it decent and appreciated its good intentions and its approach to family relationships. Did think however that it could have done it better, 'Sweet Carolina' could easily have been great but instead it was more decent but uneven. Considering its potential, it was a little disappointing. A lot is great, with the scenery and acting standing out, but there are things that could have been done better, for all its good intentions the story is patchy.

Am going to start mentioning the good. It is a very good looking film, with the star of the film being the absolutely beautiful scenery. Something that all the 2021 Hallmark films so far have had in common pretty much. The music scoring is not too constant, over-bearing or intrusive, things that can be the case with Hallmark. Chabert gives a very charming and moving performance as a flawed but relatable character, even showing off an anguished side that doesn't come over as overwrought. Hynes is suitably sympathetic and they are believable together.

While not being too impressed with the way his character was written, Gregory Harrison does give his all. Teryl Rothery is also a strong presence. The chemistry between all is genuine and has intensity and pathos. Did like the honesty and maturity of the script, while not taking itself too seriously. The story isn't perfect, but the conflicts are realistic and easy to relate to and there is strong poignancy without being too sentimental.

Do agree though that the surprise guardianship was too much of a stretch and too out of the blue, even for the circumstances, and that the film doesn't start off too promisingly, it felt dull and felt over-heated dramatically. Harrison's character could have done with much more subtlety, for instance his controlling is overdone in the writing and it did unbalance the early portions of the film. Am not blaming Harrison, but the writing.

Furthermore, while Hynes plays his role well his character comes over as unnecessary as the film does so little with him. He and Chabert are believable together, but their relationship is very under-developed, gets lost amidst everything else and also is not used anywhere near enough. The children are on the cloying side.

In conclusion, decent and well-intentioned though needed more consistency. 6/10.

Lacey And Tyler Are Strong Leads

[atlasmb · 7/10 · 21 May 2021]

The parents of two teens are killed in an auto accident. When the mother's sister comes back to North Carolina for the funeral, she unexpectedly finds that she has been selected by the parents to take custody of the kids. Lacey Chabert plays the part of Josie, the surprised sister, and does a fine job of portraying the strong emotions that attend such drama.

Tyler Hynes plays the part of Cooper, the ex-boyfriend who is unattached and still living in their hometown. The chemistry between them is adequate. But he does an excellent job providing an accent and attitude that make this Canadian production feel like it might actually take place in the U. S. south.

This Hallamark romance follows the usual templates---sometimes annoyingly so. But the acting is good. And the film's music is a cut above.

Slightly disappointed

[Jackbv123 · 7/10 · 18 May 2021]

I looked forward to this for the week or two it was advertised. I am a fan of both leads as well as the actors playing the grandparents. Many years ago, Chabert did a touching movie about a man and woman who each lost their spouse and eventually formed a blended family. The Color of Rain was based on a true story. Despite this movie apparently being fictional, I had hoped for much the same emotional drama.

For me personally, the movie got off to a bad start with the Grandfather, Gregory Harrison, being what I thought was cruel to Josie. At one point, after doing many things to discourage her even more than the loss of her sister and best friend, he says "I love you" and I thought, no you don't - you just want what you want. Perhaps this was realistic, but it turned me against that character. And the overheard remarks contributed to later friction with the kids.

The burnt toast was a stupid attempt to show Josie wasn't a good cook.

Then Josie makes several very poor choices. One regarding the nephew was, to me, absolutely unbelievable. I really can't imagine any parent or guardian ever doing that. She makes a poor choice in her job which also affects the kids. She makes a choice, which I actually thought could have gone either way but flops, with her niece. Yes one of the themes of the story was making mistakes but out of love, yet for me these were poor examples.

Oddly, the movie was totally devoid of Josie having to enforce discipline which naturally results in resentment by the kids. This is where you would expect such problems in this type of situation. It was like the kids were perfect and Josie the bad girl.

The whole business with her job was unrealistic, but then Hallmark isn't known for realistic. Actually, her boss was incredibly generous to her.

There's one scene, which appeared in all the previews, of the family enjoying time together in the kitchen, but I wanted more of that.

I wouldn't call this a romance movie. Chabert and Tyler Hynes had definite chemistry. (I would think it hard for anyone not to have good chemistry with Chabert.) But the story was more about the family. Cooper's role was more to encourage Josie than to generate romance. As a result, the last scene felt like a tack on rather than flowing out of the story.

Perhaps I never got over my sour feelings about the Grandfather. The movie generated some positive feelings, but not as much as I hoped. With a new movie almost every week on Hallmark, they tend to run together. This was a different story, but I really wanted something that stood out more and brought me back in the future to watch over and over.

Not one of my favorite HM movies but worth the watch

[taylornan0909 · 7/10 · 17 May 2021]

You can't go wrong with Lacey and Tyler. This was a sad story but had lots of happy moments too. I wish they had developed Lacey and Tyler's romance further. May be reason for a sequel.

Raising Helen, Hallmark style....

[youngandrestless12345 · 9/10 · 16 May 2021]

I enjoyed the movie and the family relationships. Lacey Chabert and Tyler Hynes are good co-stars. This could be a great new episodic Series.

Good Movie

[kalderton-63269 · 7/10 · 30 May 2021]

I thought this was a good movie. Lacey and Tyler had good chemistry. My biggest drawback was Tyler's hair. Hallmark really needs to address the horrible wigs they use. It was so distracting. He's a handsome man in a horrible wig. What's up with that Hallmark?

A Vey Good Movie

[eddiebrown-77438 · 10/10 · 2 December 2021]

Any movie with Lacey Charbert is a great movie. I watch every one she is in. I especially love any Hallmark Movie she is in. Christmas is my favorite time to watch her.

Sweet Carolina

[JoBloTheMovieCritic · 6/10 · 30 May 2021]

6/10 - a little more depressing than your typical Hallmark fare and the main characters' friends/family were the absolute worst, but it was nice to see Lacey Chabert add writing to her credits.

Not the worst by any means, but

[centava99 · 4/10 · 24 May 2021]

It wasn't great. Super formulaic all the way through, with overacting by everyone except maybe the grandmother and the dead sister. Tyler Hynes' awful hair style was incredibly distracting. He's a very handsome man, but I kept wondering if he was wearing a bad wig the entire film-the super flat and straight hairline, with a middle part-not a good look for him. And why wear every shirt buttoned to the top? He dressed like someone who is used to working a farm all the time, and has never been outside of the town.

The requisite romance was tacked on; come to think of that, that may have been the one unconventional thing about this film-her end 'goal' wasn't to get the man.

A Saturday evening well spent

[bevandersen-76425 · 10/10 · 16 May 2021]

We loved this movie. Lacey and Tyler are two of my favourite Hallmark actors and the entire cast pulled this heart string movie off. It will definitely be watched again. Highly recommend.

Sweet and Sour

[ginasharp · 6/10 · 10 June 2021]

I always love a Lacey Chabert HMM so I liked this but was hesitant to watch just because I don't particularly enjoy sad content and child acting. But because it was Lacey, I watched. I also was excited that she was co-starred with the male because one of my all time favorite HMM is "Winter in Vail" but for some reason they did not seem to "fit". He seemed like he would not be a good fit for her in the story. And I feel so mean saying this if he has an issue with hair loss or something but what was up with that hair????? My husband even noticed, and that is saying something! Lol It looked like hair plugs or just so wierd of a hair style? Who is he, an italian mobster? It distracted me sooo badly, I couldn't focus on the dialogue! Haha.

Again, I typically skip the sad content movies but had to watch because of Lacey. Glad I watched but way too sad for me! I watch HMM to get away from "real" life NOT watch it.

Sweet but very melancholy romance

[cgvsluis · 4/10 · 6 August 2021]

This is a wonderful cast who put in an excellent performance in this rather melancholy romance. The main story is about a woman whose sister and brother-in-law die, leaving custody of her two children to her. She returns to her small town from New York and her big city marketing job to become a first time mom. There she is surrounded by family who assume she will return to New York and she runs into her old sweetheart who has also returned home after a romance gone awry in Georgia.

This film does a nice job showing grief, friend and family interactions. My one complaint is that as great as Lacey Chambers and Tyler Hynes are, I felt like the script showed them as good people and friends from the past...but did not build on their romance in the now. I would argue that due to the lose of her sister and newly gained responsibilities that this might not be the best time to build a romance...but maybe that is the time for the fast forward button and giving us that romantic finish?

If you are looking for a very sweet film about grief and loss, this is wonderful and you will love it. If you are looking to this movie to fulfill the romance category... you might look somewhere else.

Carolina Native

[cpers-67657 · 7/10 · 17 May 2021]

Hallmark, the movie supposedly takes place in NC, Where's the Southern accents?

little more than nice

[Kirpianuscus · 20 January 2024]

So many motives to be very critic about this film , from dialogues to unrealism of situations. But it has a great gift - the cast. When you see often Hallmark films, you have the privilege to discover same actors in almost same roles. So, a sort of routine. Real pleasant in the case of Sweet Carolina because the real provocative themes are superficial explored but the nice portraits of Josie Wilder, Cooper Avchen , parents of Josue, her boyfriend and the kids are just fair options.

I loved the advertising for water , American, becoming CZech. The flashbacks and, in same measure, the family photos . In short, little more than nice.

Backfires and misfires

[MickyG333 · 7/10 · 11 March 2023]

7.2 stars.

"Sweet Carolina" is just a bit too edgy for my taste. Josie is rendered as a twit on too many occasions to recover any semblance of competency. While I think the tension is pure and somewhat realistic, there is no way it goes to such lengths in any family dynamic that I'm familiar with. As she unknowingly risks the children's emotional well-being repeatedly, we must ask whether her motives are being misinterpreted or not. In my opinion there is some logic to the writer's aims to make a very dire situation more visceral, thereby bolstering her good intentions when she ultimately wins them over. When all is said and done it was somewhat of a failed attempt and left me a little confounded. When you depict loss so intensely, you must amply soften the blows.

There are some unanswered questions, such as: why do they all live under the same roof? Not just the children and her, but Grandma and grandpa, and even the brother all seem to live together. Cooper is the love interest and ex-boyfriend, and yet his screen time is severely limited. I am perplexed that an actor as savvy as Hynes is swept aside like an afterthought. In conclusion, this film's attempts to focus on the altruistic traits of a wayward female shifts into a crude experiment lacking any sustainability.

Lovely movie

[rosalindsmith-85036 · 9/10 · 16 May 2021]

Please continue with a TV series of this excellent film. Great ensemble cast. Good plotlines. Drama with romance and comedy.

Really enjoyed this movie!

[mcbimba · 10/10 · 26 May 2021]

I loved this movie. I thought the two leads had great chemistry. Tyler was perfect in this movie. He was supportive, encouraging...his acting was wonderful.

I was only sad when the movie came to an end. Would love another part to see how the romance unfolds...this movie was great in that they were friends as she figured things out. Now I want to see how they would be as a family...and how he proposes....:D.

Was that a toupee?

[LtlHippo · 1/10 · 9 January 2022]

The lead guys hair. OMG It was so distracting, was it a toupee? No chemistry between leads. The dad was so disrespectful. And to think Lacey's sister died a few months ago is a sad reminder life is short. Not a favorite of mine.

Lacey Chabert will break your heart.

[Racingphan2 · 9/10 · 24 August 2021]

Wow. The emotional impact of this movie hearkens back to what Hallmark movies used to be, quality tv movies featuring great acting and hefty emotional topics.

Lacey Chabert can turn into a teary mess with just the haunted look in her eyes. Tyler Hynes is always a steady presence.

Movie So Bad, Had To Sign In to Rate

[cfj-93814 · 3/10 · 5 June 2021]

This movie was Sooo bad I had to sign on to type a review why.

1. Lacey C. 's bad (acting) reaction to her character's sister's fate. It seemed she was trying to hard.

2. None of the characters had any screen chemistry. They all seemed quite stilted and wooden in their performances. Especially the children. Their performances seemed overly sweet at times and they.themselves had no screen chemistry.

3. I underatand the boy would have a reaction to his new circumstances but at times he was sooo disrespectful to Lacey's Josie that I found it hard to believe the grandparents (especially the controlling grandad) would allow his absolute rudeness.

4. Gregory Harrison is a wonderful actor and I found it hard to believe in the screen "chemistry" between him and the mom's character. Not to mention the awful "old man sweaters" he has to wear on the movie. I cringed! He was ultra controlling and I thought it strange for a kid to return home to her close knit family after hearing tragic news where she comforts the mom and appears to have hardly two words to say to her father in their happy home. They could have utilized this good actor better in this film.

5. Could Hallmark tell Tyler Hynes to please stop wearing that awful ,messy, trying to look like he's a hipster dude with the messy beard in every movie he's done this hear (that's aired)? That look Doesn't Work For Him. Its very distracting. Also, again lack of screen chemistry between him and Lacey C. Their "love story" seemed a tack on to the main story.

6. Lastly, Hallmark if you are going to set a story in the South please use Southern accents. It comes across as inauthentic and unbelievable. Lacey IS a Southerner and could probably muster up a real accent.

Lacey Convert has done much better movies for Hallmark and I agree with all of the bad reviews submitted. The story did not seem as if they put as much effort into it as they did designing the beautiful set. Its disappointing to know that MS. Chabert co wrote the story only to submit this poor effort. This film had great potential and is a shame this was the best submitted by the writers and Hallmark. Do better Hallmark, you have enough poor films on your network. Make sure Lacey Chabert makes better films.

Surprise guardianship?

[bneale-79809 · 8/10 · 31 May 2021]

I don't see any other mention of what I see as the glaring flaw in this plot - the sister did not ask Josie in advance to be guardian of her children. Really? Hard to believe any lawyer would not have insisted on that. Of course, the surprise is an essential element of the plot. I'm usually fine with suspension of disbelief, but this stretched me too far.

I liked the leads together, and I agree that Chabert was up to the acting challenges of displaying the emotions required. Good acting by rest of cast.

Favorite hallmark

[thenry-21249 · 10/10 · 16 May 2021]

I love this movie! Raising Helen 2021 but better!! I cried way to many times but I loved every second! Favorite hallmark movie by far.

Nothing new here, same story, different state

[caseybones · 4/10 · 16 May 2021]

Perky, ultra organized career woman - rattles off 14 items, askes assistant if the "got that" is so focused that notices the color of the folder just before being lavishly praised by her coworkers. Check.

Sleazy boyfriend - "I will be working 24/7 and traveling all of the time but we can make it work".........."I long distance relationship doesn't work for me". Check.

Dead parent with children. Check.

Hunky old boyfriend still happily living in the small town. Check.

Perky career woman attempts to work from small town whilst taking over for dead parents but fails on all sides including messing with the love life of the boy and leaving them sitting on a curb. Business partners are askance that she leaves the meeting for somehting "more important". Check.

Requisite misunderstanding within the last 15 minutes. Check.

Decides family is more important, small town living beats the big city, hooks up with old boyfriend. Check.

Nothing new here folks, Feel free to move on...

I must say that they all got over the tragedy rather handily. Very little drama after the initial brief spate of tears. Which were all pretty badly acted.

Would love to see this as a series

[happyjack-29558 · 10/10 · 16 May 2021]

Lots of emotion and a nice break from the typical Hallmark movies, (which I love). Fantastic acting all around. There's so much more to this story, so let's see a series please!