The 27-Hour Day

I was really looking forward to this movie as I think two two leads are great. The movie was slow and not terribly interesting.

The best part was the pig.

The plot is similar to many Hallmark films, but with a few fresh aspects and messages, with two of the best leads that Hallmark has. This makes it worth watching.

It does an excellent job showing how our reliance on technology for efficient work and play can lead to a robotic way of living, and how a balance between work commitment is required with personal emotional commitments. The importance of always caring for our loved ones and new people we meet is demonstrated beautifully with the likeable supporting cast in this film. The piglet was a cute complement!

Certainly a feel good movie, with the relationship between Autumn and Andrew developing without too much of the unrealistic gush that too many of the lower rated Hallmarks have. Some good witty banter, which is what I enjoy in these films. There was no initial meeting of the love interests in a harsh circumstance which too many of Hallmarks feel is necessary, when it is not. How many real romances start that way, anyway?

The relationship developed with both assisting each other with their view of their life journey to that point ... not by forcing any changes ... but by suggesting a few different ways to reflect and view things ... which, of course, they grow to accept in their future life path. This clearly is important in any true romantic relationship, so is demonstrated very well.

The premise sounded intriguing and reasonably original for Hallmark but part of me was not sure whether it would entirely work, as it did have the potential to feel rushed or have an unlikeable female lead. 2021 was very hit and miss for Hallmark, but that was to be expected considering the circumstances and also they have always been hit and miss. Will admit to not being particularly impressed by most of the previous 2021 Summer Nights films.

As far as the 2021 Hallmark films go, 'The 27 Hour Day' is neither among the best (i.e. 'As Luck Would Have It') or among the worst (i.e. 'Beverly Hills Wedding'). As far as the 2021 Summer Nights films (which had mediocrities such as 'Sand Dollar Cove') go, it is one of the better ones by quite some way and a contender for the best one up to this point of the Summer Nights block. For anybody who likes Autumn Reeser and Andrew W. Walker, personally do like Reeser and Walker is one of the better Hallmark leading men, 'The 27 Hour Day' is well worth watching.

Both Reeser and Walker are immensely engaging in their roles, particularly Walker who brings his usual easy going understated charm. Reeser gives it everything without overplaying and manages in not overdoing any character flaws, which could easily have been done with this premise. While their chemistry doesn't scintillate, it is at least there and is genuine. The supporting cast are solid and the characters didn't annoy or bore me.

It is a good looking film, particularly the scenery, and the music avoids over scoring, intrusion or drabness. The direction is low key but not not pedestrian. The script is mostly light hearted, playful, sincere and charming and the story mostly engages and warms the heart.

By all means, 'The 27 Hour Day' is not perfect. The pacing is uneven, with the film taking a little while to get going and then it feels rushed and a bit chaotic in the final act. The ending is too pat and easily foreseeable, that was not surprising though as a lot of Hallmark films have this problem.

Furthermore, there is too little conflict and what there is is bland.

Overall, nice film. 7/10.

You know those movies where you see genuine moments and realistic conversations between characters? This movie has very few of those. Every line felt like a scripted line. Every moment felt jarringly unnatural. And worst of all, it felt slow.

It was pleasant though. If you want background filler while you do something else, this will certainly do the trick. I guarantee you won't miss any of the plot because there almost isn't one.

I like the lead actors, but Autumn was miscast here as a Type A personality. Her entire demeanor is too pleasant and calm for that to work. She deserves a role that matches her vibe.

After the third viewing, I'd like to add that the story line is erratic and seems like a cut and paste for desired messages. Autumn Reeser barely holds this one together with her charm and slight touch of quirkiness. She has a comic and sensitive nuance and is a seasoned pro. Chances for a good laugh were sometimes lost like where the scene Autumn when unloading her bag of tech gear, computer, iPad, etc. Was rushed. In fact, the first few scenes were hurried and the story line was hard to grasp. Autumn and Andrew had zero chemistry in fact it seemed he wished he was somewhere else. What longfull looks between the two came across as empty. The scenery was beautiful. Overall, since the cast and crew had to deal with the constraints of the COVID restrictions including a two-week quarantine for US personnel the production went well.