Expectations were higher here in 'Sweet Carolina' than for most of the 2021 Hallmark films. The setting is beautiful and really did like the idea of the story. It was great to have something more family relationship oriented in a more grown up way (Hallmark are no strangers though to that kind of film and actually have done it quite well and at times very well) rather than the typical formulaic Hallmark romantic comedy type of film. Have always found Lacey Chabert and Tyler Hynes watchable.

'Sweet Carolina' certainly is watchable, actually found it decent and appreciated its good intentions and its approach to family relationships. Did think however that it could have done it better, 'Sweet Carolina' could easily have been great but instead it was more decent but uneven. Considering its potential, it was a little disappointing. A lot is great, with the scenery and acting standing out, but there are things that could have been done better, for all its good intentions the story is patchy.

Am going to start mentioning the good. It is a very good looking film, with the star of the film being the absolutely beautiful scenery. Something that all the 2021 Hallmark films so far have had in common pretty much. The music scoring is not too constant, over-bearing or intrusive, things that can be the case with Hallmark. Chabert gives a very charming and moving performance as a flawed but relatable character, even showing off an anguished side that doesn't come over as overwrought. Hynes is suitably sympathetic and they are believable together.

While not being too impressed with the way his character was written, Gregory Harrison does give his all. Teryl Rothery is also a strong presence. The chemistry between all is genuine and has intensity and pathos. Did like the honesty and maturity of the script, while not taking itself too seriously. The story isn't perfect, but the conflicts are realistic and easy to relate to and there is strong poignancy without being too sentimental.

Do agree though that the surprise guardianship was too much of a stretch and too out of the blue, even for the circumstances, and that the film doesn't start off too promisingly, it felt dull and felt over-heated dramatically. Harrison's character could have done with much more subtlety, for instance his controlling is overdone in the writing and it did unbalance the early portions of the film. Am not blaming Harrison, but the writing.

Furthermore, while Hynes plays his role well his character comes over as unnecessary as the film does so little with him. He and Chabert are believable together, but their relationship is very under-developed, gets lost amidst everything else and also is not used anywhere near enough. The children are on the cloying side.

In conclusion, decent and well-intentioned though needed more consistency. 6/10.

Just don't get any better than this. Love it. Really good family viewing, one you can actually watch with the kids of all ages. No profanity, no sex scenes, yes I recommend it. James Welch Henderson Arkansas 02/02/22.

I looked forward to this for the week or two it was advertised. I am a fan of both leads as well as the actors playing the grandparents. Many years ago, Chabert did a touching movie about a man and woman who each lost their spouse and eventually formed a blended family. The Color of Rain was based on a true story. Despite this movie apparently being fictional, I had hoped for much the same emotional drama.

For me personally, the movie got off to a bad start with the Grandfather, Gregory Harrison, being what I thought was cruel to Josie. At one point, after doing many things to discourage her even more than the loss of her sister and best friend, he says "I love you" and I thought, no you don't - you just want what you want. Perhaps this was realistic, but it turned me against that character. And the overheard remarks contributed to later friction with the kids.

The burnt toast was a stupid attempt to show Josie wasn't a good cook.

Then Josie makes several very poor choices. One regarding the nephew was, to me, absolutely unbelievable. I really can't imagine any parent or guardian ever doing that. She makes a poor choice in her job which also affects the kids. She makes a choice, which I actually thought could have gone either way but flops, with her niece. Yes one of the themes of the story was making mistakes but out of love, yet for me these were poor examples.

Oddly, the movie was totally devoid of Josie having to enforce discipline which naturally results in resentment by the kids. This is where you would expect such problems in this type of situation. It was like the kids were perfect and Josie the bad girl.

The whole business with her job was unrealistic, but then Hallmark isn't known for realistic. Actually, her boss was incredibly generous to her.

There's one scene, which appeared in all the previews, of the family enjoying time together in the kitchen, but I wanted more of that.

I wouldn't call this a romance movie. Chabert and Tyler Hynes had definite chemistry. (I would think it hard for anyone not to have good chemistry with Chabert.) But the story was more about the family. Cooper's role was more to encourage Josie than to generate romance. As a result, the last scene felt like a tack on rather than flowing out of the story.

Perhaps I never got over my sour feelings about the Grandfather. The movie generated some positive feelings, but not as much as I hoped. With a new movie almost every week on Hallmark, they tend to run together. This was a different story, but I really wanted something that stood out more and brought me back in the future to watch over and over.