The Sweeter Side of Life

6.4 stars.

I have one word to describe this movie: spasm. A rich woman loses everything because she signed a prenup and now she's out of luck. Next thing she's back in Jersey living at dad's.

It is very difficult to sympathize with a character that is so unlikable and spastic. She seems nice underneath the snooty exterior but it takes a long time before we are graced with a decent personality trait.

The people who work at her father's bakery are endearing and fun, and that's what makes 'The Sweeter Side of Life' tolerable. Several group scenes are humorous and lively, as the synergy of the whole gang together brings the laughs. The whole New Jersey vibe is authentic, except real accents are strangely absent. People in Jersey say stuff differently, like water is wuh-der, or worter, and vowels are stretched and slurred. "No" is more like naow and "bright" is bruh-eat.

Does she have to be so shrill all the time? The nasty attitude creates conflict for the viewer's experience, because her character is too convincingly aristocratic and stiff. Soften her up 25 minutes sooner and this becomes a much better picture. I'm pushing 90 minutes and there's no redemption in sight.... I really liked her in 'Cold Case'. That show was brilliant and accommodated her acting style. She's like a fish out of water in this film.

And I'm not talking about the plot, which follows the same message. A well-maintained, pampered woman falls out of a marriage to a prominent New York physician and has to return to Kentucky and the loving arms of her adoring father. This is the last movie of James Best, lovingly rendered by his daughter, Janine and her husband Michael Damian (recording artist, Broadway star and longtime YATR regular) as writers, producers and director. What a fitting last project for a great actor, who earned most of his bucks playing heavies in early television. James Best did everything from Gunsmoke to Twilight Zone and many movies in between. I really saw the man through the eyes of his grown child, with love and grace afforded him in his old age. Like his character James was always up for anything. A hilarious comedic turn I haven't seen since his "Dukes of Hazard" days. His life was a fascinating adventure worthy of it's own movie. Kathryn Morris proves she can smile, after all those years in the clinical police procedural "Cold Case". When she said, "Dad, I won't steer you wrong", I melted! A didn't know she had such comedic instincts. Some of my favorite actors in key roles. Alistair McKenzie (Law & Order UK, Monarch of the Glen) as love interest with Jane March, Sam Douglas and others. Makes you feel like a Hallmark movie should. Escapism with an icing of familial affection and sentiment! Great dessert!

Why was she always screaming and it wasn't a normal scream it was screechy and annoying. The lead actress was vapid and seemed to come back down to earth very quickly. I didn't love it but at times I hated it. I saw it to the end and will chalk it up to another Hallmark movie that will not be on my repeat list.

So sweet you'll get a toothache! Don't go into this expecting Oscar-worthy acting and screenwriting, but go into it in a good mood and you won't be able to help but smile!

It was ok it was good to see James Best who played Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane on The Dukes of Hazzard. James Welch Henderson Arkansas 6/22/21.