28 reviews
A typical Hallmark movie but even more cheesy than normal and with lots and lots of plot holes. As another reviewer said "Busby is awful, she plays the same character in all of her films". There is absolutely zero chemistry between the leads (and it feels like we missed something because all of the sudden there's love when just moments ago the characters hated each other). The plot is obviously predictable from the first minutes. The argument is lousy and the "final conflict" part is just too rushed and just strange. The cooking, ocean and the Australians are nice though. Really liked the girl playing Beth.
I normally like Hallmark romances but this one was too boring and weird (like, all was too unbelievable). Would not recommend nor watch again.
I normally like Hallmark romances but this one was too boring and weird (like, all was too unbelievable). Would not recommend nor watch again.
- Mlle_Chouette
- May 23, 2021
- Permalink
...please note this was a Netflix film. Hallmark just bought and retooled it a year later to fill out the schedule.
This follows a well worn plotline. Woman takes hiatus from her regular job (owner of a restaurant) to deal with a sentimental inheritance, this time in Australia. The guy she has to work with becomes more than a employee/co-worker. The last part of the movie is predictable.
I don't think Cincy Busby is effective as an arrogant, critical boss. It didn't seem like she really meant it. The arrogance comes out a few times but seems softened by a lack of conviction. I didn't think she and Tim Ross had much chemistry.
The movie has a hard time making it clear exactly what Nathanial is although he is clearly a rival in the sense of an existing something (?? - boyfriend, fiance). The final confrontation scene between Nathanial and Caroline is quick and pointless except to precipitate the conflict between the leads. It was pointless, because another event would have been quite enough to accomplish that plot point.
Actually, I thought the story had several clumsy moments.
I don't think Cincy Busby is effective as an arrogant, critical boss. It didn't seem like she really meant it. The arrogance comes out a few times but seems softened by a lack of conviction. I didn't think she and Tim Ross had much chemistry.
The movie has a hard time making it clear exactly what Nathanial is although he is clearly a rival in the sense of an existing something (?? - boyfriend, fiance). The final confrontation scene between Nathanial and Caroline is quick and pointless except to precipitate the conflict between the leads. It was pointless, because another event would have been quite enough to accomplish that plot point.
Actually, I thought the story had several clumsy moments.
This premiered in 2020,must of been a fail? I don't recall it.
Typical Hallmark movie,nothing overly special but something to watch.
Like Cindy in a few things,but her acting range is rather standard.
Ok cinematography & well.. That's about it!
Typical Hallmark movie,nothing overly special but something to watch.
Like Cindy in a few things,but her acting range is rather standard.
Ok cinematography & well.. That's about it!
7.2 stars.
Run-of-the-mill movie, about a NYC chef named Caroline (Cindy Busby) who inherits a diner in Australia, so she goes down under to see what it's all about. While there, she falls in love with an Aussie cook named Cook and then starts second guessing everything. She decides that the diner must be sold, and Cook presents her with a perfectly good reason to save it, but she declines.
The movie is nice and breezy, and slow, nothing super special about it. I figured because it's in Australia (no idea if it's actually filmed there) maybe there would be something fresh and new. If they give us a rare Australia based Hallmark, at least take advantage of the opportunity to provide an exotic experience. Unfortunately, there is none of that to be had. This is just another monotonous romance with some Ocker strine (had to look it up, and it's probably not the appropriate usage of those terms).
Marla keeps assuming that she and Cook are in on a scheme to save the diner, and the whole charade is a bunch of nonsense. She never listens to him when he protests, and after a few times listening to that shrill tone of hers, I was just about finished with "Romance on the Menu". But I stuck around, because it's Australia, maybe there is a surprise at the end.
Cook (Tim Ross) is the only redeeming quality, although even he is hit and miss. He has some struggles with sincerity and seems a bit robotic. Busby is strange as an actress in this. I've seen her in other roles which I found to be satisfactory, and sometimes above average. I'm not sure what to think about this presentation, but she was definitely off her game. The best part of this film was the arguments between the leads. I think the director must have included additional fights for the sake of the audience.
Surprise, it's the "fiancé" but he's not her fiancé, so what the heck is he doing there? That is really a stretch, I mean really? And so he (the supposed fiancé from America) is a tool, and she's kind of a tool back, and the whole scene is off putting if I'm being honest.
As a whole this is only minutely entertaining, the romance is lopsided, several characters are underdeveloped, and I feel sorry for the poor little puppy. There were few great moments, and some spark, and I choose to leave on a high note, because the final scene was good.
Run-of-the-mill movie, about a NYC chef named Caroline (Cindy Busby) who inherits a diner in Australia, so she goes down under to see what it's all about. While there, she falls in love with an Aussie cook named Cook and then starts second guessing everything. She decides that the diner must be sold, and Cook presents her with a perfectly good reason to save it, but she declines.
The movie is nice and breezy, and slow, nothing super special about it. I figured because it's in Australia (no idea if it's actually filmed there) maybe there would be something fresh and new. If they give us a rare Australia based Hallmark, at least take advantage of the opportunity to provide an exotic experience. Unfortunately, there is none of that to be had. This is just another monotonous romance with some Ocker strine (had to look it up, and it's probably not the appropriate usage of those terms).
Marla keeps assuming that she and Cook are in on a scheme to save the diner, and the whole charade is a bunch of nonsense. She never listens to him when he protests, and after a few times listening to that shrill tone of hers, I was just about finished with "Romance on the Menu". But I stuck around, because it's Australia, maybe there is a surprise at the end.
Cook (Tim Ross) is the only redeeming quality, although even he is hit and miss. He has some struggles with sincerity and seems a bit robotic. Busby is strange as an actress in this. I've seen her in other roles which I found to be satisfactory, and sometimes above average. I'm not sure what to think about this presentation, but she was definitely off her game. The best part of this film was the arguments between the leads. I think the director must have included additional fights for the sake of the audience.
Surprise, it's the "fiancé" but he's not her fiancé, so what the heck is he doing there? That is really a stretch, I mean really? And so he (the supposed fiancé from America) is a tool, and she's kind of a tool back, and the whole scene is off putting if I'm being honest.
As a whole this is only minutely entertaining, the romance is lopsided, several characters are underdeveloped, and I feel sorry for the poor little puppy. There were few great moments, and some spark, and I choose to leave on a high note, because the final scene was good.
Expectations were very mixed to not particularly excited. This sort of film can be charming if done right and Australia is absolutely wonderful in terms of scenery and culture, not to mention food. A large part of me knew that 'Hearts Down Under' (aka 'Romance on the Menu') would be very predictable and nothing special, and with a few exceptions Cindy Busby is not my cup of tea as an actress and has a fairly limited and samey range (even for somebody typecast/pigeon holed in these roles).
My mixed to not particularly excited expectations were not improved upon in the execution. This could have been much better than expected and there are many films that sound nothing special and very basic that turn out to be at least above average and even pretty decent. 'Hearts Down Under'/'Romance on the Menu' is not one of those films and actually turned out to be worse than expected. It has a few good things but also a lot of major bad things.
The good things shall be begun with. The scenery is absolutely magical and the photography does nothing to cheapen it and even enhances, clearly in love with it without being self-indulgent. The food looks amazing and makes the mouth water.
Also thought that Tim Ross did very well with what he was given, the character is underwritten but he has a natural charisma and is easy going.
Busby unfortunately is another story, she never looks comfortable and can be hammy. She also provides no variation on a type of role she contiually played in in a similar way each time for Hallmark. The supporting cast are stuck with cliched ciphers and are forgettable. So is the music, which is also intrusive. Busby and Ross have no chemistry together in a romance that doesn't develop very well and everything about it has a seen it all before vibe.
Something that is true with the story throughout, a well worn formula with all the typical Hallmark plot and character cliches executed in a mundane and more of the same formulaic way. The final third is especially predictable and is contrived and too convenient. Not to mention that it is paper thin and often moves at too slow a pace. The script is full of cheese and schmaltz and never flows naturally.
Overall, weak. 3/10.
My mixed to not particularly excited expectations were not improved upon in the execution. This could have been much better than expected and there are many films that sound nothing special and very basic that turn out to be at least above average and even pretty decent. 'Hearts Down Under'/'Romance on the Menu' is not one of those films and actually turned out to be worse than expected. It has a few good things but also a lot of major bad things.
The good things shall be begun with. The scenery is absolutely magical and the photography does nothing to cheapen it and even enhances, clearly in love with it without being self-indulgent. The food looks amazing and makes the mouth water.
Also thought that Tim Ross did very well with what he was given, the character is underwritten but he has a natural charisma and is easy going.
Busby unfortunately is another story, she never looks comfortable and can be hammy. She also provides no variation on a type of role she contiually played in in a similar way each time for Hallmark. The supporting cast are stuck with cliched ciphers and are forgettable. So is the music, which is also intrusive. Busby and Ross have no chemistry together in a romance that doesn't develop very well and everything about it has a seen it all before vibe.
Something that is true with the story throughout, a well worn formula with all the typical Hallmark plot and character cliches executed in a mundane and more of the same formulaic way. The final third is especially predictable and is contrived and too convenient. Not to mention that it is paper thin and often moves at too slow a pace. The script is full of cheese and schmaltz and never flows naturally.
Overall, weak. 3/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 23, 2022
- Permalink
Just a nice and easy simple tale of love and caring. Magnificently set in Redcliffe, Brisbane and New York City. A little corny in parts but that's life.
- caseybones
- Apr 25, 2021
- Permalink
I'm an Aussie girl and saw this movie on Netflix. I was very excited watching the preview with our Aussie accents on display and this movie didn't disappoint. Those people that are Aussies but give it a bad review are most likely those that only love a good action or drama. My hubby wouldn't be interested in this movie for that very reason, but he is away so I get the tv to myself tonight so this movie piqued my interest. It is light hearted, I really like the chemistry Of the couple and It's just an enjoyable watch. Thank you also for displaying some of our cultural differences and choosing actors that are actually Australian. I could see myself watching this movie again for something easy and light hearted.
Hearts Down Under or Romance on the menu, either way this was a formulaic Hallmark Romantic film...light and breezy with a Happy Ending.
Stubborn control freak New York Laboratoire restaurant owner and chef Caroline inherits a quaint Australian restaurant named The Seagull from her deceased aunt Doreen. Caroline goes to Australia to sell the restaurant quickly and get back to New York for an important critic review. While in Australia she stays in a cottage owned by Simon Cook, who turns out to be the cook at The Seagull. As the staff rally together to convince Caroline not to sell, Simon and Caroline spar and one up each other over their differences in cooking. Desperate to make repairs quickly in order to sell the restaurant Caroline strikes up a deal to cook for Simon while he does the needed repairs on the restaurant for the building inspector which is required for her quick sale.
Caroline gets to know the staff and loosens up a bit in the process. There is a ridiculous looking dog named Spatch (short for spatula) and sunny beach scenes...but the best part is really the actor who plays Simon Cook. He looks a bit like an Australian version of Ben Affleck and he really wins you over with his smile.
Stubborn control freak New York Laboratoire restaurant owner and chef Caroline inherits a quaint Australian restaurant named The Seagull from her deceased aunt Doreen. Caroline goes to Australia to sell the restaurant quickly and get back to New York for an important critic review. While in Australia she stays in a cottage owned by Simon Cook, who turns out to be the cook at The Seagull. As the staff rally together to convince Caroline not to sell, Simon and Caroline spar and one up each other over their differences in cooking. Desperate to make repairs quickly in order to sell the restaurant Caroline strikes up a deal to cook for Simon while he does the needed repairs on the restaurant for the building inspector which is required for her quick sale.
Caroline gets to know the staff and loosens up a bit in the process. There is a ridiculous looking dog named Spatch (short for spatula) and sunny beach scenes...but the best part is really the actor who plays Simon Cook. He looks a bit like an Australian version of Ben Affleck and he really wins you over with his smile.
I was so excited as I love Tim Ross but this was such a let down. This movie is so predictable, I was Board throughout and just didn't really understand what they were trying to create. There are way better Australian made movies. 100% don't recommend it!!
- izzybootrev
- Dec 3, 2020
- Permalink
I know this movie as "Hearts Down Under" in the U. S., listed as an original Hallmark movie.
It's a typical, traditional Hallmark movie. Boy and girl meet and fall in love at first sight, tension arises due to some outside issue, they both realize how silly they are, one runs back to the other and confesses their stupidity, and they live and love happily ever after.
I've seen the Aussie actors in Australian shows so I was very happy to see they didn't use Americans trying to do fake accents. I hate that.
While this isn't a blockbuster rom com, it is a feel good one, so those of you complaining about the acting obviously don't get the Hallmark channel or, if you do, you don't watch it. Almost all of their movies are like this. If you want light and airy movies you can turn on while doing something else, these are the movies to watch.
It's a cute movie where boy meets girl and they fall in love. The nice thing is it's in a beautiful setting in another country. Hallmark has only just recently started spending money on filming in more countries outside of Canada and the U. S. This is a welcome change.
It's a typical, traditional Hallmark movie. Boy and girl meet and fall in love at first sight, tension arises due to some outside issue, they both realize how silly they are, one runs back to the other and confesses their stupidity, and they live and love happily ever after.
I've seen the Aussie actors in Australian shows so I was very happy to see they didn't use Americans trying to do fake accents. I hate that.
While this isn't a blockbuster rom com, it is a feel good one, so those of you complaining about the acting obviously don't get the Hallmark channel or, if you do, you don't watch it. Almost all of their movies are like this. If you want light and airy movies you can turn on while doing something else, these are the movies to watch.
It's a cute movie where boy meets girl and they fall in love. The nice thing is it's in a beautiful setting in another country. Hallmark has only just recently started spending money on filming in more countries outside of Canada and the U. S. This is a welcome change.
- disnideani
- Apr 30, 2021
- Permalink
I watched this movie painfully to it's fire ending.
Frankly as an Australian it was just embarrassing to watch Aussie actors have their remarkable skills downplayed in such a shoddy and shallow script.
Let it die. Remove it. At least that will lend some dignity which was so lacking in this appalling film.
Frankly as an Australian it was just embarrassing to watch Aussie actors have their remarkable skills downplayed in such a shoddy and shallow script.
Let it die. Remove it. At least that will lend some dignity which was so lacking in this appalling film.
- mauricegilbere
- Sep 17, 2021
- Permalink
I am an Aussie and I am embarrassed this was even made ! Just the worst
- normandy-215-430694
- Oct 26, 2020
- Permalink
A lovely feel good romanty comedy that has a beautiful location great cast and a top romance that develop as the film progresses.
A great film from first time director Rosie Lourde.
If you like easy going romantic comedies this one's a cracker.
A great film from first time director Rosie Lourde.
If you like easy going romantic comedies this one's a cracker.
- bazza_mckenzie02
- Sep 27, 2020
- Permalink
Worst acting, terrible plot. It was like a high school drama class got together to shoot a sub-par movie with sub-par actors. Embarrassing 😂
Truly embarrassing as an Australian, American cheese served in an 'Always perfevt summer' Australian coastal setting. Appalling story line and acting, feel sorry for these Aussie actors who are much better than this. The 100% cringe puts you off the delicious looking food.
I'm a fan of heartland and was surprised to see Cindy in this, she was amazing, wonderful actress. I loved the fact that it was mostly based in Australia, a lighthearted movie just the pick me up needed during Covid-19 lockdown
- JupiterRose29
- Sep 27, 2020
- Permalink
This movie contains all the cheese of every romance movie you've ever seen. Every scene is saccharine and predictable and my eyes practically fell out of my head they were rolling so hard. I felt my IQ dropping as I watched the film. The music was terribly corny. The acting was awful. I am genuinely upset that people thought it was a good idea to make this movie, out of any other story they could have picked from. Why this one? It is soooooo duuuuummbbbb. What a waste of money. It's 2020, not 1986, and may I also mention that this movie is way cheesier than any 80s movie I've ever seen.
I also want to mention that I find it odd that she didn't know what snags were, and yet she visited her auntie in Oz every year when she was growing up.
I also want to mention that I find it odd that she didn't know what snags were, and yet she visited her auntie in Oz every year when she was growing up.
- schuwomann
- Sep 26, 2020
- Permalink
It's a Romantic Comedy safe for all ages. Watched it over dinner with my family and we all loved it! I am a Cindy Busby fan!!
I don't understand why they still insist on putting this actress in movies.... everything about her is extremely irritating, her face, her nasal voice.... she manages to be nasty and obnoxious in EVERY movie she makes! It's time to hire new actresses, with more talent!
- anna-50196
- Aug 5, 2022
- Permalink