After having watched many Hallmark films I decided to give this one a try recently. This film had been slated as a "Fall" season romance, so I quickly expected it to be like the other Hallmark films in the same category, however I was quickly discouraged after watching. Enough to warrant the writing of a review!
Why is this film so different? It is hard to put a finger on it really. Throughout the film there is a constant nagging feeling that the Vineyard is the central part of the plot, more so than the actual characters. We are constantly referred back to the Vineyard itself, the health of the plants therein, and ultimately as the venue for a wedding to take place. The characters are really secondary to the vineyard itself. There is a constant mention of SORRENTO. Is this movie a commercial for SORRENTO?
As for the romance, throughout the entire film there is an uncertainty about the main couple's compatibility which creates a high-level of anxiety more than a feeling of romance. The viewer almost expects a new Beau to come in half-way through to save the day as in other Hallmark films, but this never happens, so we have to drag on in anxiety waiting resolution. It is hard to tell if the writers wanted this to happen or not. As we are waiting for some kind of romance to bloom we are left feeling empty the entire time until the last scene where a last second DOUBLE wedding is thrown into place. Hardly romantic.
As for the main characters themselves, it is revealed that they have been together since HIGH SCHOOL. Also, the viewers can connect the dots that they have been shacked up together in a huge mansion for years, yet are still uncertain about their romance. It seems like the reality of a relationship where people shack-up without commitment. Sad.
In all honesty this movie seems to be poorly written as well as poorly edited. It could have been a fun film, but was left sorely lacking. Something akin to buying a dark chocolate bar, only to find out that it wasn't dark chocolate. The title is called 'Autumn' in the Vineyard, but actually takes place during Valentines season. There is only a brief mention of a potential Autumn wedding that never happens. The main couple is supposed to be the love interest, but they have literally no chemistry, and are concerned about their Vineyard more than anything. We fall in love with the vineyard. Even the youngest brother of the lead has a better romance than the main character, and they are only on screen for a few minutes! Toward the end the lead woman tries to have an emotional scene with her mother, but it comes off as lacking as well as out of place. The whole film is out of place.
I would save my time from watching this train-wreck. Amazingly enough 2 more sequels were made! Someone must have a lot of money to put into this terrible franchise, because anyone who watches this will immediately notice the issues. The worst part is that this movie didn't even seem like a Hallmark movie. It was more of a mix of Hallmark/Lifetime.
Why is this film so different? It is hard to put a finger on it really. Throughout the film there is a constant nagging feeling that the Vineyard is the central part of the plot, more so than the actual characters. We are constantly referred back to the Vineyard itself, the health of the plants therein, and ultimately as the venue for a wedding to take place. The characters are really secondary to the vineyard itself. There is a constant mention of SORRENTO. Is this movie a commercial for SORRENTO?
As for the romance, throughout the entire film there is an uncertainty about the main couple's compatibility which creates a high-level of anxiety more than a feeling of romance. The viewer almost expects a new Beau to come in half-way through to save the day as in other Hallmark films, but this never happens, so we have to drag on in anxiety waiting resolution. It is hard to tell if the writers wanted this to happen or not. As we are waiting for some kind of romance to bloom we are left feeling empty the entire time until the last scene where a last second DOUBLE wedding is thrown into place. Hardly romantic.
As for the main characters themselves, it is revealed that they have been together since HIGH SCHOOL. Also, the viewers can connect the dots that they have been shacked up together in a huge mansion for years, yet are still uncertain about their romance. It seems like the reality of a relationship where people shack-up without commitment. Sad.
In all honesty this movie seems to be poorly written as well as poorly edited. It could have been a fun film, but was left sorely lacking. Something akin to buying a dark chocolate bar, only to find out that it wasn't dark chocolate. The title is called 'Autumn' in the Vineyard, but actually takes place during Valentines season. There is only a brief mention of a potential Autumn wedding that never happens. The main couple is supposed to be the love interest, but they have literally no chemistry, and are concerned about their Vineyard more than anything. We fall in love with the vineyard. Even the youngest brother of the lead has a better romance than the main character, and they are only on screen for a few minutes! Toward the end the lead woman tries to have an emotional scene with her mother, but it comes off as lacking as well as out of place. The whole film is out of place.
I would save my time from watching this train-wreck. Amazingly enough 2 more sequels were made! Someone must have a lot of money to put into this terrible franchise, because anyone who watches this will immediately notice the issues. The worst part is that this movie didn't even seem like a Hallmark movie. It was more of a mix of Hallmark/Lifetime.