While expectations were not massively high, considering that it is a setting visited a good deal and done already in 2019 in 'Love on the Menu' and done much better in that, they were not low too. The story was very cute sounding, diversity is always welcome and it has been nice seeing Hallmark including more of it in their films in recent years and it has a real life husband and wife in the lead roles. Something that has not always worked but when it does it's great to see.
'A Taste of Summer' was pleasant enough and it doesn't leave a bad taste in the mouth or a bitter aftertaste. It is one of those films though that had me wanting more, like having a dish that is generally quite tasty in most areas but with a few ones that are under-cooked and under-seasoned at the same time. There is a good deal to like, yet 'A Taste of Summer' falls slightly short. Far from one of Hallmark's worst 2019 films, but not one of the best.
The good things will be listed first. Rosalyn Sanchez is a nice mix of charming and firey and her character is not hard to relate to, to me she wasn't too harsh and the glamour didn't distract that badly. Eric Winter is a nice confident understated leading man, and did enjoy their subtle and genuine chemistry. The romance is developed nicely, not too in your face but also not underused or playing second fiddle to the competition. Alison Araya does a nice job too.
It looks good, especially the scenery. The music fits well enough and doesn't distract. The script is not perfect or anything, but it does have playfulness and warmth. The story is successful in the more romantic oriented parts and has parts where it is cute, light hearted and heart-warming. Really appreciated the positive messaging too and there is nothing forced or excessive about the diversity, which was tasteful.
More could have been done with the setting, with 'Love on the Menu' feeling more of a love letter to food than this. The competitiveness doesn't have enough heat or spice and comes over as bland. The story on the whole is very formulaic with most of it being easily foreseeable long before they happen, due to having many familiar Hallmark tropes, the third act is pretty much what has been seen before many times structurally.
Script has its moments, but is on the awkward and cheesy side too often, especially early on. To me, the softball game was too over the top. The pacing is not always there, the story is pretty thin to begin with and it does make for some less than energetic pacing. While the characters never bored or annoyed me, they aren't developed enough.
Overall, pleasant enough if not great. 6/10.
