Love on the Menu

The movie, at least for me, is beautiful. I won't go into the technical stuff, because I have no right to do that, but as a foodie, and a former restaurateur, I think I could say something(not totally). The problem began because (not really a spoiler) because a person wasn't treated well because they thought another person was the food critic, and they were wrong. As much as possible, please train your staff not to play favourites or put your best behaviour just because you think a food critic is there. Just do your best, no matter what. As these actors or whoever else are in the movie act or whatever even if they are not feeling good, do your best no matter what, and you would be noticed. It's also a note to self in case I go back to the food industry, but I'd rather be client instead. :-)

Now that's out of the way, what do I think about the two lead stars?

KAVAN and AUTUMN, do they have chemistry?

All I can say is that there was something about the trailer that made me want to watch this movie badly. I don't know if it's because of the story...well, maybe not. It was because I saw that the partnership is believable...so I guess you could say that there's chemistry.

I can't really expect much because this is a TV movie, but I did enjoy the movie.

I liked JORDYN ASHLEY OLSON...I mean, I like the young girl. She could act. I think she's a natural. Her role is a fifteener undergoing a lot for her young age, but she still has a lot of reason to smile. For me, she became Hannah, Chef Hank's lovely daughter.

It's also refreshing to have BARBARA NIVEN and WILLIE AAMES on board.

I also liked almost everyone who acted in the movie, especially the kitchen crew.

Mr. Smith was a convincing chef. Maybe people would notice this and that, but I'm talking about his acting. He made Chef Hank very human...He has his outbursts, but he also knows how to admit when he is wrong. Yes, it's the screenwriter and the director we should thank for the character. attack, treatment, what-have-you, but Mr. Smith was able to bring Chef Hank to life.

Does the movie offer something new? Something old, something new, something "borrowed", something blue... :-)

Thankfully, yes.

It's relatable. It has old elements, and some new ones.

I guess I'll stop now before I give real spoilers.

Your opinion might vary from mine, and that's only natural, but I hope at least one or two might agree with me.

Thanks for your time.

Actually two things make this movie enjoyable and the cast is one of those things.

I've commented before on how well Kavan Smith works with Pascale Hutton, but in this movie he's done it again with a different partner. Smith and Autumn Reeser have great chemistry which really shows.. Their dialogue together is fun. Jordyn Ashley Olson adds a nice bonus as she and Reeser also work well together.

The second thing that makes this enjoyable is related to the first. I enjoy this kind of movie so much more when the lead characters spend time together rather than focusing on what are really side issues like saving the restaurant.

The villain was too vicious which was totally unnecessary.

Nice last line.

When a workaholic widower meets an uptight corporate stooge, you wouldn't expect anything to happen. And yet one of the best things about this movie is how the characters grow, change, and stand up for what they believe in over the course of their relationship. Like all Hallmark movies, there are occasional lapses of believability, but at least no one resorts to lying or hiding secrets to fill out the 2-hour run time. The leads are likeable yet fallible, there's extensive use of montage to show the passage of time, and the Vivaldi mandolin concerto is the cherry on top! Keep it up, Hallmark!

Hallmark has really cornered the market in widows & widowers - but that aside, this was a good played-out movie with excellent acting & chemistry from the 2 leads. The story flowed really well & the interactions of Autumn Reeser & Kavan Smith as they gradually got to know each other, didn't feel rushed or too corny. Autumn's boss's character seemed a bit too one-dimensional pantomime villain for me,.I think a sequel would be good as it'd be good to see them pair up together again.

This is how it's done, Hallmark. Good Job! When you have two engaging and attractive leads who are good actors and have good chemistry, it already puts it far ahead of the majority of Hallmark offerings. Bravo Autumn Reasor and Kavon Smith. Add an interesting inside look at restaurant goings on and a agreeable restaurant (and chef) makeover plot and you have a definite winner. Kudos for the beautiful and authentic food photography. The love story built slowly and realistically. The leads did not have silly misunderstandings or antics. When there was a bit of conflict at the end, it was resolved quickly with a very nice grovelling scene and a deserved abject apology. There was a tough boss who turned quite evil at the climax for some drama and tension.

I also want to compliment the wonderful young actress who played our hero's teenage daughter. Jordyn Ashley Olson is lovely and a very promising young actress.

I only mark it down for two aspects. The gourmet breakfasts that our chef-hero cooked for his daughter and were meanly rebuffed by her were so over the top, the scenes were cringe-inducing. Also, the ending was a little sudden and needed another scene to tie the loose ends up nicely. Maybe they are planning a sequel. I'm in.