Pumpkin Everything

Taylor Cole is , perhaps, the most beautiful Hallmark movies actress. Yet, after a couple of corny, but entertaining movies in 2016, Hallmark has been unable to provide her with scripts with sufficient drama or substance. Here, again, she appears in a rather dull movie that moves very slow, filled with lengthy conversations, going from the inane to the barely relevant. There is very little action in the about ninety minutes production. In the absence of realistic conflicts or drama, the films stretches over the limits whatever little it has. So, we have a grouchy grandfather, far too rude and obstinate to capture any empathy and a writer, Amy, with the absurd situation of been prevented by her job from living or staying at home, as she desires. If there is an occupation that does not demands to stay away from home, it's precisely the one of a writer! A writer does not need to be locked in a city to promote her books!

The rest of the story is the reunion of Amy with her schooldays friend, or old flame, after years of neglect. This is, possibly, the least original theme in romantic TV movies and is handled in no original way.

Taylor Cole and Cory Sevier are not enough to salvage the show.

The movie does have some gentle moments, is family-friendly and wants to be uplifting, as in old Hallmark tradition. It is a pity that it is not engaging enough to make it real entertainment or deserve a higher score, in my view.

Taylor Cole (Amy) is drop dead gorgeous and one of my favorite Hallmark actresses. And I'm a Hallmark movie addict. But Pumpkin Everything really isn't much of a romance. It's more about the very real family drama that inevitably arises when parents (and their parents) age and begin to have difficulty with unassisted living. And that drama is effectively depicted here.

This is one of those movies that's designed to fit into the Fall schedule, and so there are many beautiful shots highlighting all the Fall colors. And lots of pumpkins. And the town is literally called Autumnboro (seriously). That's great. But the movie title is also the name of a local business run by Amy's grandfather, effectively played by busy veteran actor Michael Ironside. But he's pretty grumpy, vindictive (e.g., college aid) and often unlikeable. And yet it's hard not to sympathize with his predicament.

Pumpkin Everything is the kind of business that can only survive inside a Hallmark movie. They basically slapped a store sign on an old house and filled it with lots of decorations and some pumpkin themed merchandise, with a bunch of knickknacks for sale on the front lawn (seriously). That's a business model that would be risky at best during the prime seasonal months of October and November (when it starts to get chilly on that front lawn). But what about the other 10 months of the year? They'd be lucky to break even. Even with all the "online sales" (of pumpkin candles?)

And what exactly has Kit (played by Corey Sevier) been doing since high school? Working for Amy's grandpa at Pumpkin Everything? Hey, if working for somebody else's small town seasonal retail shop is satisfying and fulfilling, great. He's a recovered alcoholic and he has a stable job. Amy should be happy for him. But he wants successful best selling author Amy, who's focused on her flourishing career, and her legitimate concerns about her grandfather, to focus on getting back together with a high school boyfriend she left long ago and hasn't spoken to since.

What??

First, I didn't feel any chemistry between Kit and Amy. I thought there was far more chemistry when Taylor Cole was paired up with Michael Rady in Christmas in Homestead, or Steve Lund in Unlocking Christmas and The Art of Us, or Tyler Hynes in Falling For You, or Jack Turner in the Summer Prince and the Winter trilogy. Heck, there was more chemistry between Amy's mom and Luke.

And second, this movie was more about Amy and her grandpa. The romantic pairing of Kit and Amy would have been forced even if more time had been spent focusing on that relationship. But even though their romance was unsatisfying, the rest of the movie was a decent drama. They didn't sugar coat the challenges of aging or the stubborn, but understandable, reluctance of elderly people to give up their independence. I applaud that.

Random observations:

Why wasn't the damage at Luke's coffee shop covered by grandpa's insurance? And why was Amy's mother being "hounded" to pay for that damage? Insurance adjusters deal with that.

Why was grandpa getting free coffees and free Carmel apples?

Why would a senior center DJ who says things like "Rock on" and loves classic rock, be excited to bring on a surly old grump to play jazz?

In what alternate universe is Pumpkin Everything making $10,000 a month in online sales?

How does Kit have the financial wherewithal to consider the proposal that he is given?

I get that Amy became successful, but a chauffeur to Autumnboro? Really?

Hallmark gives us this story of a successful Philadelphia writer who returns to her hometown for a visit when her grandfather suffers an injury. She is pleasantly surprised that many of the traditions continue, and she also reconnects with the best friend she left behind years ago.

Taylor Cole plays the main character, Amy, who discovers that her former friend Kit (Corey Sevier) now works in her grandfather's store. There is little to no chemistry between them at first, and the story meanders between various of Amy's interests and concerns, including her job, which has impending responsibilities. But the narrative picks up, and the final minutes of the film are totally engaging.

One of the best aspects of the film is the depiction of the autumnal colors of nature. You can practically smell the season and the pumpkin spice flavorings of everything. It is very immersive.

The scenery in this movie was beautiful! I watched it from the viewpoint of the grandfather because I'm more of that age. I must say that I sympathized with him. It's tough when you get to a point in your life when you have to think about giving up your home, your business, your life that you've had. It's also tough having to admit you can't do all the things you used to without some help. So it made me a little emotional. But like every Hallmark movie, it had a happy ending. I hope to be able to visit a place like pumpkin everything someday. It really bought the feel of fall into the my living room.

I want to correct those who mentioned that the Grandfather was being urged to go into Assisted Living.

I went through this situation with my father 9 years ago and he was just as stubborn and resistant. What finally worked was asking him leading questions and honoring his opinions. I asked him, "What is your main barrier to moving?" My mother's health was failing and she really wanted to move to Independent Living (in a CCRC setting - Continuing Care Retirement Community). We finally convinced him to move to the Independent Apartment that they currently live in and they both love it. They have met many friends and are very active with classes, zoom meetings, etc. (Aged 91 and 88 years). Most all of their health care is on-site.

The idea that when one is old that Assisted Living is the only option is very dated. CCRC's are designed for Active Seniors. Assisted Living is an option as is Skilled Nursing . . . If needed at all.

Overall, I felt the movie could have been better. The chemistry between the two leads was lacking and the pace of the movie was a bit slow.