Caribbean Summer

First, most of our exposure to Hallmark romances are Christmas movies, so it was GREAT to see something with no fake snow. :-) This movie was filmed entirely in Belize, so the scenery is both relaxing and gorgeous.

The story reminds me of some books I used to read as a kids, where a family goes on vacation to somewhere like the Florida Keys and the kid stumbles into a mystery. Here it isn't a family, but a cable news producer who rents a house on a tropical island and find out she's been scammed into renting "some guy's" house. He lives there. He doesn't rent it.

He hesitantly offers to let her stay (and what real man wouldn't ... she's beautiful with a great figure LOL).

As they do pleasant island things, she wonders if he looks familiar, and thus begins the mystery ...

We VERY much enjoyed this movie.

My wife and I were unfamiliar with most of the cast members. We were impressed with their acting, the direction, photography, and story.

A vey pleasant movie to watch. And the scenery in Belize was fabulous!

'Caribbean Summer' (2022)

Opening thoughts: There were one main reason for seeing Hallmark's second 2022 Summer Nights film 'Caribbean Summer'. One is that it was part of my Hallmark film completest quest started with their Christmas output in 2019, which expanded with their other seasonal films a couple of years ago. Have also seen Heather Hemmens in the very good 'Christmas in My Heart' and the rather average 'Love Take Two' and liked her in both. Ser'Darius Blain is a new name to me.

'Caribbean Summer' was incredibly charming and engaging. For me it is one of the best 2022 Summer Nights films, again a variable seasonal block, and better than the above average if flawed 'Hidden Gems'. Also thought it one of the best 2022 Hallmark films along with 'North to Home', 'The Wedding Veil', 'The Presence of Love' and 'Rip in Time'. It is a case of the first half being better than the second, but not by much, but overall 'Caribbean Summer' is worth watching absolutely.

Bad things: It does become a little too formulaic after the twist and the freshness that the first half had and the momentum (some draggy pacing later) are lost just a little.

Blain is also occasionally a little too laid back for my liking.

Good things: Most of the time however, he is very winning and plays his role with charm and subtlety. Hemmens is even more winning and seemed to be enjoying herself while not overacting or exaggerating any mannerisms. The two have very natural and sweet chemistry together and it was easy to get behind their characters because they weren't too perfect while also not being too flawed. The supporting cast are solid.

Furthermore, 'Caribbean Summer' looks lovely. With the scenery being absolutely breath-taking, the photography doing absolutely nothing to cheapen it while not being self-indulgent. Other Hallmark films fare a lot worse when it comes to having ill fitting and intrusive music, neither of which were an issue really with me here. While the script is not Oscar worthy material, it at least has a natural flow. It also doesn't ramble and doesn't go too far on the cheese or schmaltz, while the banter is playful and not mean-spirited when it comes to the arguing.

The story, while formulaic in the second half, has a nice subtle energy and is light-hearted and warm while also being refreshingly different in the first half, the conflict is not as forced as most other Hallmark films. It also feels like there is a story, instead of feeling like too much of a travelogue.

Closing thoughts: Nice film overall.

7/10.

A refreshing change from the typical Hallmark story and a lovely island location! Great chemistry between the characters although the first third of the movie felt a bit choppy and slow. Wish every Hallmark movie didn't have an awkward dance scene although the one in this film was a bit less awkward than most. Hallmark needs to give their actors quality scripts that are less formulaic. There is always some sort of festival/party, awkward dance scene, then a misunderstanding causing conflict 15 minutes before the end, followed by a quick resolution. There must be writers out there that can come up with more unique and original scripts.

While there are echoes of some familiar themes, play this movie through and it is a different kind of story. The major difference doesn't show up until more or less the middle. Starting out, it looks a little familiar. Jade has an embarrassing breakup and needs to escape for some recuperation. She's not a reporter, but she has that instinct and thinks she sees a story in the scam she got caught in. The workaholic doesn't want to let go and keeps communicating with her buddies back at the newsroom in NYC. Meanwhile, pretty much everyone else is telling her to slow down and relax. For a while, we see her start to do that, and in so doing she begins to notice that Ford is a hunk (which everyone else is pointing out to her).

The twist in the middle changes the whole story and peaks the viewer's interest. Unfortunately, a lot of predictable stuff happens as a direct result of that twist. Even so, I thought the twist was good and the pacing of the story also.

I didn't recognize that I had seen and loved Heather Hemmens last Christmas but also another movie I didn't like. I can't say I've seen Ser'Darius Blain before. I thought they had good chemistry even if the Ford character is pretty laid back. I liked that their initial confrontation was totally reasonable given the ridiculous circumstances. Ford had sympathy for Jade's situation and Jade, whom I thought was going to be a prima donna, acted appropriately apologetic. The obligatory misunderstanding, or really secret exposure, was also reasonably done. Jade maybe could have explained better, but it made sense how Ford reacted. These are little things, but I liked how they ran just a little bit contrary to how those things are usually done in these movies.

The dialogue has some high points. The scenery has breathtaking moments. Supporting actors are good.