I rarely write reviews and there a plenty of reviews with summaries. My Grandmother loved Hallmark. It was on practically 24/7 especially Thurs to Sunday. She often would fall asleep after finishing the movie but too (lazy) to get up. She passed last month. So I have been catching up on some of those I have missed and the new releases. As an artist and also someone who finds solace in gardening. Most things nature I feel very connected to. This movie really spoke to me in many ways. I felt the struggle of the artist because I live it but I am definitely NOT famous nor have a known name. I also felt the struggle of the now published author who misses their true passion. The connection to people, visual beauty and the ability to harness the spirit of love. All while putting it on display for the people who mean the most to the couple getting married. I felt the connection between the characters. I also felt it was closer to being more realistic and definitely more honest. This movie surprised me greatly. I laughed out loud, I chuckled, and I smiled so much the muscles in my face hurt. I loved the connection with nature, the amazing and stunning trees. I also appreciated the wildflowers as the main flower "theme". Too often simple, and natural beauty get overlooked.
This movie really did make me cry. I was in the army and my brother is a marine overseas over 8 years of his 13 in active duty. I lost the feeling in my legs in a training incident. We have lost many friends, brothers and sisters. Too many others have had to learn how to live with a new normal. It has been 19 years since I had real feeling in my legs and feet. Loosing a limb or two is more common than anyone wants to openly acknowledge. Alas I believe in Honesty almost to a fault. It is one of the main core values and code of ethics instilled in you. If you didn't understand them before you enlist they become essential after. We need those core values and ethics visualized. We need them on display interwoven with the beauty and nature of life. We are human and we all have storms to weather. We have mountains to climb. Some face similar lessons but rarely are the outcomes exactly the same. Why? Because we all have lessons to be learned and rarely are the outcomes supposed to be exactly the same. Even rarer that they are supposed to happen at exactly the same time. I hope that this movie will have a sequel. I would really enjoy a well made series with different couples coming to the cottage. Along with all the bumpy, messy real life that can happen when a real wedding is planned, created and made to happen. May this be a truly happy beginning!
That said: I just wish it was longer. I miss a real feature length film. This movie could have easily made a full 2 hour special (without commercials) and I have no doubt it would have been a hit. Sadly now we get so many commercials that without them we are now down to 83 or 84 minutes. We don't even get the whole 90.
Blessed be to all, I wish you enough and I hope you are always able to find the extraordinary within the ordinary ~CSM.
