August Creek

Courtney Ford really shone as lead character, Erika, in this one. There were a few schmaltzy moments, when it seemed like the movie couldn't decide if it was a light drama or a comedy (I didn't care for the mother character - don't know if it due to acting, writing, or directing - she was too over-the-top for me, and seemed very out of place for this otherwise warm and gentle story). However, there was one hillariously sweet moment toward the end, concerning the the brother-in-law-to-be, in which I was simultaneously laughing and "aw-ing" out loud (Johnny Kramer, as Scott, toed the "dramedy" line quite well). Overall, the acting was well done and believable; the story was enjoyable; I would watch it again.

7.0 stars.

Talk about the dark side of life. This film is sad, serious, and not fun at all. Any romance between our leads is not necessarily from a good place.

I can't give a summary of the movie, because anything I say to shed light on the plot can only be a spoiler, and I don't want this to be a spoiler review. A man dies some years earlier, and his wife and best friend grieve in a very unhealthy manner. She leaves town, finds a new man and then comes back to town for her sister's wedding. The drama begins.

The sister's side drama is much more intriguing than anything going on with our leads. Focus on this, and you'll see the reality of life as it materializes right before you. Ignore the leads main plot, it's not uplifting at all. The sister's fiancé has become a real tool as they come to the final days leading up to the wedding, and the sister naturally reacts with much more than cold feet. What a wonderful, and very plausible picture is painted with the grit and tension created. I loved it because it reminds me of so many people I've known. She is so sarcastic and downright mean to him, but as it unfolds, it's not far fetched.

Lets see if our leads come 'Back to Love', or simply back to 'August Creek' for a wedding. Huh? Why does Hallmark keep renaming these movies?

I don't want to give any spoilers so please just watch it. I think this was beautifully written and acted. Ryan as Nate was incredible. Erica was good. Very well cast. The story is not your typical Hallmaek type romance story. It has a bit of a change in it and I love it. My third time watching it and Ryan needs to be in more romantic movies. He was brilliant. No I am not his mom or friend. I just thought he was great. The actress was also. The sister and her fiancée were an added bonus to this. Put these two together again or a sequel. I loved the military was mentioned. So few movies talk about veterans and military life. Kudos.

This was just a lovely story. Not overdone or over acted. With a great cast as well. This movie is all about how to deal with relationships that are complicated but have love. Real life is can be very messy but there are times when the answers are clear. This movie shows this. Yes I recommend it. James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 1/31/2021

Erica (Courtney Ford) is engaged to Marc in Chicago. She is still haunted by her husband Seth's death in the war. She goes home to prepare for her sister April's wedding. Everyone is walking on egg shells around her. She reconnects with old friend Nate and finds a support group for military widows.

So she planning to get married while dealing as a war widow and her almost affair. There is one too many relationships. I couldn't see how they could screw up a simple widower having a romance movie but this is how. It's an overly complicated premise and it isn't well laid out at the beginning anyways. The easiest thing to do is to eliminate Marc from the story. This is a story about loving someone while honoring the lost of a great love. Marc adds nothing but speed bumps to journey. The movie also moves rather slowly and it becomes a bit of a grind. It's too bad. Courtney Ford has the potential to pull this off without the emotional baggage of Marc or the secret.