Gemelli, cucina e amore

OK - so let me say right away ... I do not care for Jessica Lowndes. She can't act her way out of a paper bag.

I set my DVR for this one - fully expecting to delete it after 15 minutes. Well ... it didn't happen. I put off watching it for several days - and finally watched it tonight for lack of anything better to do. I actually liked the story. It had comedic moments. It had great family moments. The LGBT aspect was not overdone (and I don't have a problem with gay people - several family members are gay). It just wasn't a focal point of the story. Henry was simply a sous chef married to Julian. They did not focus on the LGBT story.

Don't get me wrong - Jessica Lowndes is still a mediocre actor - but she was actually OK in this role. Not over the top - but the story really about her (even though there was her family turmoil incorporated into the plot). The star of the movie was Josh and Julian (played by Jeremy Jordan). Hope Hallmark uses him more - this is his second Hallmark movie (Holly and Ivy being his first) and he was great in both.

Not a movie I will watch over and over - but it was a fun watch.

Typical Hallmark Movie which is what I love. The scenery is worth the watch.

Love Jeremy Jordan. Jessica Lowndes needs a haircut, seriously, that long hair is so unappealing for her age and her face-shape (and stop pulling her hair off her face, it just highlights the gaukiness). Their chemistry was okay, but I just couldn't get past the full-facial scenes, close-ups, not attractive filming. The storyline was refreshing and the LGBT storyline was tastefully written (while a bit stereotypical). Would like to see more of Lowndes (but less of her thin face). Jordan showcased his acting talent in this one .. great job.

We've seen stories where twins confuse their opposite(s) by switching. We've seen contest stories. We've see the child who isn't appreciated by her parent(s). We've seen the character who wants to make it on her own. Two things are slightly different. First, the female lead things she is becoming friends with the gay brother who has a husband. Second, the big city doesn't turn out to be evil when compared to a small town.

The biggest thing that didn't make sense to me was why Meg was getting so close to the gay brother and it should have been obvious to her that he wanted to be more than friends. Even so, Jennifer Lowndes and Jeremy Jordan had chemistry, but again, it sure seemed like hetro chemistry to me.

The climax and ending were mostly predictable. The story had no real highs or lows or surprises.

Despite my complaints, I thought there were some funny moments and some sweet ones.

'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' is one of the 2021 Hallmark films seen with mixed expectations. This year saw a number of beautiful and exotic locations with Hallmark (including Hawaii and Paris), and it doesn't become more exotic than the Mediterranean. That there would be the male lead doing a dual role (not seen a lot with Hallmark these days) also interested. Am really not a fan however of Jessica Lowndes, with a couple of exceptions but she has often come over as quite limited and most of her films don't do much for me.

2021's 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' is one of the few films of hers that did impress me, though more for most of everything else than her. It is up there with one of the better 2021 Hallmark films, which have been a bit of a mixed bag but not too bad considering these tumultuous times. Of the Love Ever After films of the year, 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' is one of the best and by quite some way. While not loving the film, it was pretty enjoyable.

Was not too enamoured by Lowndes, she could have had a lot more fun and the character needed more charm than what she gave. Her attempts at flirtation too are pretty awkward.

Some of the story could have had more clarity and subtlety, will agree regarding the reason for Meg to get that close and will agree too that she was too oblivious to something that was blatantly obvious. The ending felt too easy and too quick, and there is no surprise what it would be.

On the other hand, a lot is good. The production values are terrific, a vast majority of 2021 Hallmark films have been remarkably well made visually and 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' is one of the most beautiful looking. How could it not be with a setting as incredible as the Mediterranean'. The music is not overpowering or overused and the direction is indicative of someone that was at ease with the material and was having fun with it.

The script has plenty of very amusing moments, while any tender moments are not too sentimental. The story goes at a tight pace and is charming and upbeat, the content that could easily have been stereotypical or judgemental was done very tastefully and contrary to what has been said by others regarding Hallmark including more diversity the diversity was more than welcome. The supporting cast are solid, but the best thing about the film is Jeremy Jordan. Who is truly excellent in one of the most difficult roles of the 2021 Hallmark batch (playing two completely contrasting characters rather than one) and one of the standout performances of the batch too. He is clearly having fun, but he does so without mugging, overdoing any mannerisms that would have made the character in question too much of a stereotype and brings nuanced heart to both characters (doing the seeming impossible at making a jerk endearing by the end).

Summing up, not everything works but much of it does and the film is worth seeing for primarily Jordan. 7/10.