Pumpkin Everything

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.

This was loosely based on a book. And when I say loosely let, I mean it was nearly unrecognizable. The two main conflicts from the book, not in the movie. Instead they take the sweet relationship between Amy and her grandfather and make them have the conflict for the movie. In the book, Kit wants to turn their childhood home into an inn. Not in the movie despite it seeming very Hallmark. The main character was unbearable where not even the talented Taylor Cole could save her. It could have been so much better but it was just blah. It was also disappointing. It also success was the fall colors was beautiful and Corey Sievers nice to look at.

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?

I mean that as in the romance aspect of the movie. The scenery was beautiful and there was a lot of potential for heart in this film, but the romance didn't seem to fully manifest on screen. I couldn't tell if it was a chemistry thing or if it was the writing.

The acting was believable for the most part and I really liked the grandfather character. He was one of the stronger parts of the film and had you feeling for him throughout the duration of the movie.

I love fall movies because I don't have seasons so I love escaping to them in movies. For that reason and the grandfather I give it a 7.

I love the three leads (Ashley Cole, Corey Siever and the always wonderful Michael Ironside) but was disappointed to see Michael Ironside cast as an 'old person' as opposed to someone who happens to be older. He is a well-respected actor and I remember him from years ago, usually as a bit of a 'hard man'.

He was patronised by Ashley Cole's character who wanted to decide his life for him and relegate him to a 'waiting for God' retirement facility instead of respecting his right to choose how he wanted to live.

I didn't watch to the end of the film, such was my disappointment at the way Ironside was cast. He can be, and should be, used to better effect!

Not a good message to send!