Reel One has (amazingly) produced a lot of movies during the pandemic and this is one of the more realistic. I prefer that most of the scenes are just a two or three characters (for real-life social distancing reasons). The beautiful landscape is great escapism for viewers cooped up at home - and many are having to rethink jobs etc like the characters too. Whilst the plot is nothing new, this genre is always better with a bit of tragedy to give depth, but it's long enough ago to not be over-whelming and is totally suitable for all ages / stages of life, giving hope to everyone that goodness and joy live on.
Love at Sunset Terrace
2020
Action / Romance
Love at Sunset Terrace
2020
Action / Romance
Keywords: romance
Plot summary
Sophie Carter, half owner/operator of C and L Mod, a successful Los Angeles-based interior design firm with many high-profile and thus demanding clients, is feeling burnt out, realizing her work is not the creative outlet she had envisioned where she acting more as counselor to her clients. On the advice of her business partner Spencer, despite the number of looming deadlines, Sophie decides to take a short two-week vacation to decompress. She chooses the small lakeside town of Summerside solely upon learning it is the locale of the painting hanging in her office, painted by her now deceased and equally creative Nana, the painting and Nana the source of her daily inspirations. She plans to use Nana and Summerside as inspiration during this time away, finding all that Nana found special about her time there, which basically means putting away all her electronic devices and not even thinking about work. She ends up choosing an accommodation off Airbnb: Sunset Terrace. Long in his family, Michael owns and operates the establishment. Sophie learns that Sunset Terrace used to be the emotional heart of the town, where many events were held, but that changed when Michael's wife Natalie passed, he having shut down the social side of his life solely to focus on raising his now preteen daughter, Kailey. In part taking cues from Michael's neighbor and childhood friend Christine, who worries about Michael in potentially losing everything in his life when Kailey embarks on a "teenage" life of her own, Sophie, in making a connection with both Michael and Kailey, tries to open up Sunset Terrace to its former glory, both for Michael/Kailey and her own sake. As it seems that Sophie and Michael are falling for each other, Michael will have to decide if he has space in his heart for more than Kailey and for someone other than Natalie, and if Sophie is willing to put all the hard work that led to her professional success for a small town life.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Movie Reviews
Calming Summer Solstice
Up TV shows the way again!
This was a very well-done little story. Up TV, in recent days, is really showing up Hallmark in terms of fresh faces, well-written scripts, and character development. The three leads were more than half the appeal. Ellen Woglom was appealing and charming as the female lead. She has a killer smile and I appreciated that she did not have a stick thin runway model body. Carlo Marx was handsome and likable as the vulnerable father who was over-protective and almost needy with his daughter. The young daughter was played by Erica Tremblay. Again, a young actress who was hired for her talent rather than cutesy wutesy looks and perky sparkles. She is the younger sister of the multiple award winning film actor, Jacob Tremblay.
The romantic relationship developed naturally and believably rather than a series of "meet-cutes" and fake instalove based on nothing but two pretty people snarking and bickering at each other. The setting looked like a real place rather than a MacMansion plopped down in front of a stunning view. I'd stay there and feel right at home. The Conflict was the same old same old (workaholic big city girl reconnects with nature while meeting troubled widowed Dad of young girl and presto chango lifestyles are changed and a new family is formed). But Up TV shows once again that this tired plot can be done in an entertaining and engaging way. Hallmark really should be upping their game. I fear they are have become over-reliant on their "big" name stable of actors and actresses at the expense of giving exciting young talent a chance to shine and scriptwriters who work hard to offer a quality product while still falling within the genre's parameters.
I loved this movie.
This movie is cute and sweet. A great way to spend a couple of hours. I am a fan of Carlo Marks. So that is always enjoyable to see him in movies. He plays Michael a protective Dad to his daughter Kailey. Michael is also a widower. When along comes Sophie who is 'burned out' from her job. Carlo Marks and Ellen Woglom have great chemistry together in this movie. I like the moments of comedy and a bit of flirtation between them in some scenes. Erica Tremblay plays the adorable daughter Kailey. Who sees an opportunity to play matchmaker for her Dad Michael. I love Hallmark Movies. So I know how they work. I love that there is always a happy ending.