Loved all the characters but the only decent relationship was the sisters. No romance at all. The best story was with the two older sisters. There could have been much more with them. Basically, good acting and bad execution with the story.
12 Reviews
Classic Style Over Substance
mamachikn12 October 2021
PROs:
The acting was good. Everyone did the best with what was given to them.
The script, like most newer movies, had an absence of the standard tropes or the tropes were done differently.
The scenery was nice, filmed at Harrison Hot Springs in BC and nearby Abbotsford. (We like to Google and check maps and images to figure out where exactly it was filmed).
It had a different vibe than expected.
It tries to be deep and philosophical, and sometimes it works.
CONs: In the noble effort to diversify, it is given precedence over personality. The leads had absolutely no romantic chemistry whatsoever. They would be friends, that's it.
The male lead was absent for a good chunk of the movie. The romance was nonexistent, and unnecessary.
The show tried to infuse drama, but it ended up forced and maudlin ( I looked that word up to be sure it was appropriate for this situation). Tears here and there in several parts of the movie. Way overdone and would have been more effective if used sparingly.
The ending was rushed and wrapped up quickly with no knowledge of what happened to make it all okay. We had to guess.
A voice over narrative at the beginning and ending which many would see as a nice touch, I found didn't make complete sense because I listened to what was actually said. The end voice gave reference to the title, which was made to sound more meaningful than it was. Or I just didn't get it.
The movie is all style over substance.
This weekend's premieres, for the first time ever, bombed, imho.
I was going to give it a 6, but going over what I wrote, I can't give it above a 5.
A waste of good actors.
Many will love it, as there is no Hallmark movie where someone doesn't say it's their favorite and they watch it over and over. #thevowswekeep SMH.
The script, like most newer movies, had an absence of the standard tropes or the tropes were done differently.
The scenery was nice, filmed at Harrison Hot Springs in BC and nearby Abbotsford. (We like to Google and check maps and images to figure out where exactly it was filmed).
It had a different vibe than expected.
It tries to be deep and philosophical, and sometimes it works.
CONs: In the noble effort to diversify, it is given precedence over personality. The leads had absolutely no romantic chemistry whatsoever. They would be friends, that's it.
The male lead was absent for a good chunk of the movie. The romance was nonexistent, and unnecessary.
The show tried to infuse drama, but it ended up forced and maudlin ( I looked that word up to be sure it was appropriate for this situation). Tears here and there in several parts of the movie. Way overdone and would have been more effective if used sparingly.
The ending was rushed and wrapped up quickly with no knowledge of what happened to make it all okay. We had to guess.
A voice over narrative at the beginning and ending which many would see as a nice touch, I found didn't make complete sense because I listened to what was actually said. The end voice gave reference to the title, which was made to sound more meaningful than it was. Or I just didn't get it.
The movie is all style over substance.
This weekend's premieres, for the first time ever, bombed, imho.
I was going to give it a 6, but going over what I wrote, I can't give it above a 5.
A waste of good actors.
Many will love it, as there is no Hallmark movie where someone doesn't say it's their favorite and they watch it over and over. #thevowswekeep SMH.
Nice
Jackbv12313 October 2021
The reviewer mamachikn captures many of my thoughts. Decent acting. The premise of selling the family business is common, but after that the details are done a bit differently. The dialogue is just ok. There is some beautiful scenary.
Fiona Gubelmann and Antonio Cayonne have an understated chemistry. It's there, but it's quiet.
This is a story about family, especially sisters. We have two sets of sisters, one set starts out estranged and the other models the ideal. As a result of the emphasis on those relationships, the romance story doesn't get as much attention as some viewers may be used to.
Fiona Gubelmann and Antonio Cayonne have an understated chemistry. It's there, but it's quiet.
This is a story about family, especially sisters. We have two sets of sisters, one set starts out estranged and the other models the ideal. As a result of the emphasis on those relationships, the romance story doesn't get as much attention as some viewers may be used to.
A loving family can accomplish anything
jamhendr26 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A pleasant movie, with lovely Canadian scenery and talented, eminently watchable actors. The leads, Fiona Gubelmann and Antonio Cayonne, are both charming and attractive. For me, it was a kick to see (and hear) Linda Thorson again.
The plot involves some standard tropes of Hallmark movies. Two sisters, estranged for years, have to save a very special business, before it is sold off to strangers. A woman is unappreciated by her clueless male boss. A wedding needs to be organized very quickly; it also needs to be perfect to honor a dead parent.
Some other reviews have been pretty low. The biggest problem is one of expectations, I think. This doesn't feel like a typical romance or a usual Hallmark movie. [However, it does remind me a bit of an earlier Hallmark movie, Thicker Than Water, with Lindsay Wagner and Melissa Gilbert; years after watching it, I only remember the relationship between the estranged sisters.]
Both of the leads are so restrained, almost introverted, whenever they share scenes. Jared (Antonio C.) might look fondly in the direction of Hazel (Fiona G.), but only from several feet away. Hazel encourages Jared to do what he loves (and vice versa). In short, Hazel and Jared seem like they would be great friends, but nothing more than that. In the real world, that is a lovely way to start a relationship; in a 90-minute movie, though, it doesn't come across as romantic enough.
Spoiler: There is some kissing at the end. But only in the last minute or so. Personally, I would have rated this movie a little higher without that last minute or so; it didn't fit.
Whether it is a traditional romance or not, at its heart, this is a story about familial love.
The plot involves some standard tropes of Hallmark movies. Two sisters, estranged for years, have to save a very special business, before it is sold off to strangers. A woman is unappreciated by her clueless male boss. A wedding needs to be organized very quickly; it also needs to be perfect to honor a dead parent.
Some other reviews have been pretty low. The biggest problem is one of expectations, I think. This doesn't feel like a typical romance or a usual Hallmark movie. [However, it does remind me a bit of an earlier Hallmark movie, Thicker Than Water, with Lindsay Wagner and Melissa Gilbert; years after watching it, I only remember the relationship between the estranged sisters.]
Both of the leads are so restrained, almost introverted, whenever they share scenes. Jared (Antonio C.) might look fondly in the direction of Hazel (Fiona G.), but only from several feet away. Hazel encourages Jared to do what he loves (and vice versa). In short, Hazel and Jared seem like they would be great friends, but nothing more than that. In the real world, that is a lovely way to start a relationship; in a 90-minute movie, though, it doesn't come across as romantic enough.
Spoiler: There is some kissing at the end. But only in the last minute or so. Personally, I would have rated this movie a little higher without that last minute or so; it didn't fit.
Whether it is a traditional romance or not, at its heart, this is a story about familial love.
nice
Kirpianuscus26 June 2022
Linda Thorson and Michele Scarabelli as the heart of this nice film about relation between siblings, place of childhood and youth, reconciliation after long time, a fundamental decision and the happy solution.
For .Antonio Cayonne , just applauses for fair manner to explore his role.
A nice film for its flavors of nostalgia and delicate sketch of romance.
For .Antonio Cayonne , just applauses for fair manner to explore his role.
A nice film for its flavors of nostalgia and delicate sketch of romance.
Wish it were more romantic
spikeluvr18 October 2021
I really like Fiona Gubelmann and wanted to love this movie. It was nice but not much of a romance. The settings were beautiful but the constant obstacles plot has been used so many times that it ended up kind of boring. The lead actor is a great second lead as a best friend but he doesn't act like a romantic lead. There were no sparks at all between the two leads. They seemed like brother and sister until the very last minute of the movie. And one more thing- worst boutonnière ever on the dad's tuxedo.
Crying on cue
hallmarkmov18 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I get it- it's a "drama" romance and part of the mystery movie line but do they have to cry for no reason? ALL THE TIME? The sister was constantly pretending to cry, the dad starts crying, the other lady's sister cries too. All of this without any real explanation to explain these sudden unprovoked bursts of tears. The story was simple and I liked that the leads naturally got together. No huge drama, no festival to save, no longgggg glances, no jealous exes, no throwing flour or paint at each other. It was two people supportive of one another and both acted very naturally when around each other. Also the dress she tries on in store that was "perfect" was not worn at the wedding! She wore a different dress which has happened in several hallmark wedding movies now. I was surprised the main lead's dad didn't appear in the movie again, he really just disappeared! I liked the ending and although you could guess it a mile away I like when the lead doesn't just give into the boss' demands and stays at a horrible job.
A romance without any romance
EPMD5713 December 2021
I agree with the others about the lack of romance. Most of the movie was about a family business. The lead couple's interactions with each other were almost an afterthought, and their relationship felt unearned.
If you have 80-90 minutes of screen time, you have to spend more than a couple of minutes on the lead couple if you want the audience to buy into them.
If you have 80-90 minutes of screen time, you have to spend more than a couple of minutes on the lead couple if you want the audience to buy into them.
Not perfect, but...
howie1419 January 2022
I like Hallmark recommitting itself to serious family films under its Movies & Mysteries banner. It is a nice break from TV mystery reruns, although new Hallmark Signature mysteries are always welcome.
Leave the fluffy, formulaic romances on regular Hallmark and give this service more depth.
They are off to a fair start.
Leave the fluffy, formulaic romances on regular Hallmark and give this service more depth.
They are off to a fair start.
Where's the Romance?
gordonb-5958717 October 2021
The new Hallmark movies are tripping all over themselves trying to appease the woke crowd by being super "inclusive." In this movie the "romance" is so forced it's ridiculous. The love connection that is supposed to happen is obvious form the first scene and it just falls flat. Plunk. But at least the production company can say they tried and check off that box.
set for a sequel
sarajimi23 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The ending of this movie definitely screams sequel in that the exact fate of the lodge is left unrevealed and the couple are only now acknowledging their attraction for each other. The problem is, they weren't the only ones not picking up on chemistry from the other. The two leads were great together but didn't sell the fact that they were falling in love. Friendship yes, they were fun together, but the relationship that barely developed felt more like it was situational/a matter of convenience than actual attraction. There were also a couple of times when the movie set up for the usual tropes but then those story lines fizzled. Which is the best i can saw for this movie: it fizzles. But in a pleasant enough way.
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