Summer in the City

Had to watch this with my wife. She liked it. I wanted to scream lol. This lead actress needs her acting refined. She overacts in closeup scenes. Typical Hallmark movie. Made in Canada with Canadian actors pretending it takes place in America. Shame on them.

Julianna Guill is adorable as Taylor, the small time girl from Ohio, who's big dreams of fashion in Manhattan start to come true. But the big city's not all she thought it would be as she navigates the noisy, fast-paced, abrasive streets and fashion business by managing an expensive clothing store. Taylor's new boss Alyssa (Vivica Fox) sees something in Taylor's honest but friendly approach to customers and her gift for fashion, but Alyssa has trouble letting go of her own big city habits to give Taylor's new ideas for growth and change a chance. Taylor struggles to both be herself and fit into this concrete jungle while trying to grow her boss's business, make friends, please clients and find a reasonably priced apartment... there enters "the guy"... seeing the displaced and beautiful Taylor, it's Phil to the rescue! Patient and helpful, Phil tries to help Taylor adapt to city life and find a place to live while she, in return, encourages him to follow his own business dreams. In My Humble Opinion: This story line is not anything new or Emmy- worthy, but it's a cute, romantic, chick-flick to pass the time on a lazy afternoon. (PS: I loved Taylor's adorable wardrobe and sweet personality) 6.5 stars 9/2016

Taylor Morgan (Julianna Guill) manages a clothing store in small town Ohio. Customer Alyssa (Vivica A. Fox) is impressed with her. She turns out to be the owner of a Manhattan clothing boutique. She recruits Taylor to work for her. Mindy (Marla Sokoloff) and Courtney (Christie Burke) are shocked to be working under the newcomer. Worst of all, Mindy is forced to take her in. Philip Bartell (Marc Bendavid) falls for her and helps her find an apartment. Kendall (Natasha Henstridge) is a famous customer.

Manhattan is an important part of the story but this is filmed in Vancouver. It's not the first movie to do the New York for somewhere else. Guill probably spent a day shooting some exterior shots in Manhattan and there is plenty of stock footage. Also she may not fit in the small town girl role. Hailing a taxi is so 2000. The fish out of water scenes don't really work. She should not quit. The story requires her to be fired. She should not be going back home to Ohio which would not require Alyssa to go all the way there to retrieve her. All in all, it's a simple story with some interesting actresses that I haven't seen in awhile. It has its difficulties but gets to the required spots. It's not the worst Hallmark.

It's not a typical Hallmark film. The main character goes through a lot of downs which makes you happy for her when she has her ups. There is depth to the characters. And each one has a distinct personality. And the love story is like an early 2000's film. A time I love and miss with love stories. A great film period.

Is it cheesy? Yes. Implausible? Absolutely! Obviously not filmed in NYC? Yup.

But as far as Hallmark movies go... it's not bad. The leads are attractive and convincing. The story is not entirely cliched (although a bit predictable). It has all of the elements of a feel good, I don't want to have to think rainy afternoon movie. You know the kind of movie you put on when you just want something silly and easy.