Sweet Pecan Summer

This one was confusing. I always enjoy Wes Brown, and I have no complaints about new-to-me Christine Ko, but even though they were believable and pleasant in their roles, there was no real spark or chemistry. I remember Lauren Tom as Julie on Friends as cute and natural. Here, as Carol, she was jolting and forced, with awkward grimaces and unnatural line deliveries. The whole movie was a massive flip-flop between scenes that were pleasant and enjoyable and others that were forced, strained, and over-the-top in trying to be cute and funny. We always laughingly comment on whether Hallmark movies seem to fly by (the good ones) or drag along (this one). Can't really recommend this one.

Most of the 2021 Hallmark Summer Nights films didn't do much for me, and most of them for reasons that are quite similar. Of course, not all of them were average or less, 'The 27 Hour Day' for example had a lot of good things and 'Her Pen Pal' also had much to recommend. A few had some standout performances in a bad way, like the female lead in 'Sand Dollar Cove'. 'Sweet Pecan Summer' was not seen with high expectations, but was still seen because of liking Wes Brown's acting regardless of his filmography.

'Sweet Pecan Summer' is sadly yet another 2021 Summer Nights film that doesn't hit the mark. To me it is actually one of the worst of the seasonal block. It isn't terrible and Hallmark did do worse that year, but it also could have been much better and one of Hallmark's best and most consistent regular actors deserved much better than this. There were actually quite a lot of surprisingly good and even good films from Hallmark in 2021, especially in the latter parts of the year, but 'Sweet Pecan Summer' isn't one those.

There are things that come over well. The best thing about it is Brown, who has a very easy going charm and subtle charisma that has been present in all his performances without coming over as over-typecast. Am less familiar with Christine Ko, but thought that she also excelled in being likeable and warm hearted without overacting or trying too hard in bringing emotion.

Did also thought the film looked good, some lovely scenery here and the photography complements it well. Some pleasant moments in the music.

For me though, the supporting cast did not work. Lauren Tom fails in particular, she both mugs and is robotic and it made her character very annoying. Actually did find the supporting characters on the annoying side and while the lead characters are more interesting and likeable, the chemistry between them is not there. Too cautious and underdeveloped for it to make much impact. The direction never rises above routine.

Moreover, the script is too cheesy and schmaltzy (even for the setting, the writing felt too sweet) and also very awkward. The story is very predictable and is slow moving and too flimsy, also with a contrived final act that finishes on a too tidy note. While Ko and Brown are fine individually, the relationship between their characters is too underwritten for their relationship to be interesting or investable, the spark is never there.

Concluding, lacklustre. 4/10.

It was nice to see a Hallmark that is not shot in BC or Toronto, with the same cast we have seen too often. Miss Ko is refreshing, and has a strong affinity for the material. She has a nice mix of fun and strong. Perhaps we will be lucky and see more of her. Hallmark needs a younger and fresher leading lady (and man) set.

I don't mind if the plot is predictable. It's like watching your favorite movie over and over. As long as it's a good story and there's good acting and great chemistry you have an enjoyable couple of hours. The problem with Sweet Pecan Summer is that the two leads didn't have any chemistry, writing wasn't that good and the smaller roles filled by the supporting cast were horrifyingly bad. I'm talking about the lead actress' coworkers. They acted like they were super caffeinated all the time. Fatally perky and excited. I know Hallmark is trying to be diverse and at least this time having an Oriental family didn't feel as forced as their "one each black, Asian and Indian" casting usually goes. I've always loved Lauren Tom but Christine Ko just didn't have any chemistry with Wes Brown. And he usually has chemistry with every leading lady. Hallmark needs to put more thought into their castings. This was a wasted opportunity.

"I haven't heard her laugh like that since Uncle Jimmy died."

Seriously? No one who worked on this movie saw a problem with that line? It left me trying to imagine if it happened when Uncle Jimmy was on his deathbed or later at his funeral.