The Beach House

I'm glad to see Hallmark finally getting back on track with a good Hallmark Hall of Fame movie rather than their usual Hallmark romantic junk.

My mom and I had a really bad day, and we were looking forward to vegging out in front of a Hallmark movie with Andie MacDowell. We thought The Beach House would be just what we needed: Andie fixing up her family's beach house, looking at the coast with a mug of tea just like she did in Cedar Cove. However, this movie was not what we needed, so if you and your mom find yourself in the same situation, watch Cedar Cove instead.

The good news is Andie MacDowell gives arguably her best performance in The Beach House. She shows unexpected pain and thoughtfulness as she stars as a terminally-ill mother trying to fix up her house and her daughter's life before it's too late. I am glad I watched this movie, because I like Andie and she did an excellent job, but it would have been better to watch it on a different day. Minka Kelly plays Andie's daughter, and in the tradition of Hallmark, she comes from the big bad city, finding herself and love in the small town of her youth. Chad Michael Murray is Minka's love interest, so if you're not watching this movie for Andie-but why wouldn't you?-you'll be relatively entertained.

If you liked the book, or if you're in the mood for a good cry, go ahead and rent this Hallmark Hall of Fame. You'll see the beautiful shoreline of South Carolina, the fun and cute journey of baby turtles crawling from their eggs to the ocean, and Andie's great acting chops.

The plot is a bit more unusual for a Hallmark movie, though not completely original. Some scenes were frustratingly uncomfortable. Chad Michael Murray's attempt at a southern accent made me laugh at times. The beautiful scenery of the South Carolina island is the best highlight! I saw lots of advertisements for this movie leading up to the premiere, but I was not expecting the story to be so emotionally heavy. Have tissues ready!

Caretta looses her big city advertising job and returns to her southern island roots...only when she gets there things aren't what she thinks they are.

Her mom is ill, but has kept it from her, living with a pregnant girl and taking care of turtles on her precious beach. Her brother has turned in to a dominating southern male, like her deceased father, controlling her mother's estate.

It's not long before Cara wants to leave because she doesn't like watching how her brother treats her mom. Her mom, played by the gorgeous Andie MacDowell, convinces her to stay a little longer and she reconnects with her childhood boyfriend. He becomes the first one she confides in about loosing her job.

Heartaching story about love, loss, dying, and being a woman.

"We don't have time for a single sad moment."-Mama

Emotional roller coaster, but well worth it. As mentioned I love Andie MacDowell and I really miss watching her in Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove as the lovable local judge.

Sweet, must see southern romance about love, loss and family.

There are deeper levels of family issues than your average Hallmark Saturday night premiere. Everyone has some history they need to address.

Some of the acting was better than others. Minka Kelly was OK and held her own. Andie McDowell had her moments also. Others, not quite as good, certainly not Donny Boaz.

The tone was a little more somber than I was looking for on Hallmark for Saturday night.