Autumn at Apple Hill

Cast decisions make or break Hallmark movies. They can elevate movies that we've seen, in different settings and versions, many times before, which is exactly what happened with "Autumn at Apple Hill".

The storyline is an old trope - inn needs saving, in comes some workaholic hotshot from the city, the two leads fall in love and save the inn - but Wes Brown and Erin Cahill make it better. They are some of Hallmark's best. Can't remember ever seeing a bad film from either of them, which is saying something considering their extensive catalogues. With less competent actors, this is a slog.

Good acting, a decent script (even though the story is a retread of a retread of a retread!), spectacular fall-tinged establishing shots. A good start to Hallmark's fall/Halloween slate of films.

7.8 stars.

Judging by the title, you might be thinking this is just another themed film, one for Autumn, just like any for Halloween, Christmas, Spring, Valentines etc... But this is far from it.

This is a wonderfully presented love story. It has all the great aspects of one, because it starts with some pretty heavy tension between the leads. This tension is not the usual light and quirky kind, it's the real deal, and yet it's not too heavy either. They figured out how to create just the right amount of angst between them and when they finally see what's going on, who they are, who they were, and how they sort of knew each other; it's amazing how things change.

No, this is not a totally crazy awesome romance like some of the mainstream classics, but it's very good for Hallmark fare, no doubt. This would seem to be a must-see every other year. I say that as I'm writing this, but I'm realizing now into about my third year of hardcore Hallmark viewing, that I don't actually have the time to watch all the ones I like more than once every 3 to 5 years. So, this is a must-see every 5 years. Any film I rate between 7.5 to 7.9 is a once-every-five-year film. Anything 8.0 to 8.4 is a 3 year and anything above that is open season. I've loosened my ratings starting right about now. Need to have continuity in my reviews as much as possible.

We have watched a lot of romcoms since the pandemic, and although this particular movie followed the typical checklist, it had a certain appeal that was lacking in many others. We particularly liked the secondary romance in the background, as well as the great performances by the lead actress and actor.

Initially, we thought that the rich guy coming to the rescue for the Inn keeper would be the winning formula. What was different about this movie however, was surprising - the rich guy did something different.

They of course, still fell in love. And of course, everything worked out in the end.

Yes, it's yet another SAVE THE INN story, Elise (Erin Cahill) has inherited her Grandma and Grandpa's old Inn at Apple Hill. Elise grew up around the inn and loves being its caretaker, but the trouble is that the inn is falling apart, it doesn't turn a profit, and she can't get a loan to make improvements.

Luke (Wes Brown), is a workaholic and CFO of a New York major hotel brand, his mother who is the CEO insists that he take a vacation. Having fond childhood memories he decides Apple Hill would be the perfect place to relax. Elise and Luke meet and have a confrontation over an arcade game. Elise isn't happy to find out that Luke is also a guest at her Inn, and tries her best to make his stay uncomfortable. When they both realize they were high school classmates their attitude towards one another changes.

Luke learns that Elise could use some help, she eagerly tries his clever suggestions to make the Inn more profitable. The whole town rallies around Elise in hopes that Luke's idea works. A dilemma occurs when there's a crisis back at Luke's office in New York and his mother goes to Apple Hill to tell him he needs to return to the office. However, Luke has grown to love the Apple Hill Inn, Elise and the town. Now Luke has a difficult decision to make as he awaits to see the outcome of his suggestions for the Inn.

There is grest chemistry between the two lead actors and although the plot is similar to other Hallmark movies, the clever and witty dialogue keeps the viewers attention. A pleasant and entertaining Romcom.

Erin Cahill is Elise Jacobs, newly divorced, and having inherited her grandparents' property. It is a rustic inn in a smaller community. It needs saving, it has a lot of deferred maintenance, and it is not clear that Elise will be able to afford to save it.

Wes Brown is Luke Bellwether, son of a lady who is the chief of their company. Luke tends to be an overachiever, rarely taking any personal time. His mother basically orders him to get away. So he goes away to where he grew up, Apple Hill.

It turns out Luke and Elise were in school together but he being a couple of grades ahead of her, they didn't recognize each other after 20-ish years. But it is clear that she despises him at first. Then he shows that he is not so bad, therefore it is following the familiar Hallmark story arc.

My wife and I watched it, streaming, as pleasant entertainment. There isn't really anything novel but it is done well with attractive actors.

At home, streaming.