Saveurs d'été

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.

Typical Hallmark movie. The softball team practiced and played a game without getting dirty. Just saying Hallmark at least try to make it authentic looking by having dirt on the uniforms.

While this is a typical Hallmark movie, there was something about this one that is better than most of them. I won't waste your time with the plot - everyone knows a Hallmark plot by now. I admit to enjoying most of them. But some are better than others. This is one of the better ones.

I'm not exactly sure why this was better. The two leads are married to each other so the acting was comfortable, and not forced. Interestingly enough, though, something about the beginning was a turnoff and if the remote had been closer, and a dog not sitting on my lap, I would have changed the station. I'm glad I didn't. It quickly improved, and I enjoyed it. It left me feeling good. There were slight differences to the typical Hallmark movie, which was a nice change.

We know how they're going to turn out, but this one carried some positive messages too, that people can take with them. People don't always win, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's trying that matters. And if you win, that's good too, but no matter what, it's the trying that counts.

This movie tried, and turned out to be a winner. Watch it. Neither the actors nor the script disappoints.

Roselyn Sanchez is pretty and not the most likely Chef with her flowing locks. When a real life couple acts together it's a bit distracting from the story. She and Eric Winter make a nice on screen match. And they overcome the obstacle of the real life couple thing. She adds sparkle to whatever show she is in. The competing Chef thing is very bland.

There's a festival competition to win (which including another common trope at the end but I won't spoil it). Competing restaurants (A Taste of Romance did it way better). A baseball game relying on the kid with no confidence.

I have to say that Gabby is a compelling character. She has strong values. She is an encourager. She is eminently competent.

For two actors married in real life, the chemistry might have been there to some extent, but it wasn't positive. I never cared if these two got together. I wasn't as impressed with acting as could have been.

I wanted to root for Emily, but the baseball game was way too over the top and obvious.