El verano de mi vida

Most of these kinds of stories follow the formula of boy meets girl, boy (or girl) shows interest, apparent rival shows up, misunderstanding leads to conflict, all seems lost, love prevails last minute, great sunset (metaphorically), the end. What I liked about this presentation was the minimal angst and conflict. I'm tired of "death-spiral" plots that pull up at the last minute. Perhaps my tastes are more simplistic than they used to be, probably my age accounts for this. The part played by Cameron Mathison is the same way he played his part in a movie with Mira Sorvino a couple years earlier, "A Christmas to Remember." I liked that movie also. They're both "A Hallmark Moment."

The photography of the tropical scenery is above the usual Hallmark standard. You all know what is going to happen but the setting is nice. Catherine Bell lovely as always plays a doctor and single mom widow who goes back to her honeymoon Fijian island resort. She meets a doctor but there's also the owner played by Cameron Mathison.

Finally, a HM worth raving about, all due to the fantastic casting, especially with the leads Catherine Bell and Cameron Mathison. It is so nice to see mature actors in HM movies, but I think these two were exceptional. No acting like they were younger, as has been done before, the Jessica character was very believable as a physician as is many times with the younger HM actresses is not the case. The teenage daughter was adorable. While it was formulaic, I totally believed something like this could happen. Great all around cast and the Fijian scenery was beyond breathtaking. Well worth seeing even for a second time as I plan to do this summer evening.

Unremarkable plot and writing made watchable by the luminous Catherine Bell and her chemistry with another Hallmark regular, Cameron Mathison. 50 year old Ms Bell, who looks 40 at the most, plays her age with an older teen daughter and is paired age appropriately with the male lead. Of course, Hallmark being Hallmark they couldn't resist casting a 10 years younger actor for Cameron's rival for her affections. In addition to the big plus of two attractive leads who are also more than competent actors, the beautiful scenery adds to the charm. Most importantly there is an easy rapport between all of the likable cast. They seemed to all be having a good time (and who wouldn't in beautiful Fiji?) and genuinely like each other. I felt sorry for the poor actress who had to stay in the states and do much of her part on Skype. All in all, a likable entry with few if any cringe-worthy moments from the Hallmark movie assembly line.

A lovely Hallmark film focusing on an overly busy Doctor, who finds peace and potentially love in Fiji.

With Catherine Bell giving a wonderful turn, and Hallmark regular Cameron Mathison as her potential suitor, this was good fun.