The Sweeter Side of Life

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.

This is how the movie goes: Woman loses money. Has to leave comfortable life for hard working average means. Finds self worth and love again. Then money comes back.

During all of this, she has many mishaps that made me laugh out loud. (I may have a strange sense of humor) Although you might not laugh.

Anyhoo...

Okay. We all know how Hallmark and Lifetime movies are. But this one was at least funny.

Set aside those notions you have and just watched it for fun. I laughed so many times. I mean who's luck could be that bad!?

Good family movies are all too rare; we need more like this! At first, I thought the "ditzy blonde" scenes were a little much, a little corny and overdone. That is, until I watched with grandchildren who thought they were hilarious. Then I realized that those things MAKE the movie family fare... something to appeal to all ages. The acting was perfection, itself; I was very impressed with the personality characterizations. In fact, I admit that I even had to wonder if James Best still "had it". Yes, he certainly does; he was just the right guy for the part. Don't hang up your acting hat yet, Jimmy!

Hats off to the Damians for another great movie!

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!

I was originally attracted to this movie to watch James Best perform. I have been a fan of his for years and have never been disappointed in his performances. I was also aware that this was the last movie that he was in before passing away about eighteen months later. As usual, Mr. Best was at the top of his ability and delivered another solid performance. If he was having any health problems, it did not show. It can be said with clear conviction that he went out on top.

I did not recognize the name "Kathryn Morris" and was doubly impressed with her ability to do comedy. No disrespect to Ms. Morris but I had never seen her do comedy before and she acted like she had been doing it for many years. Also, Ms. Morris can certainly carry the torch if Goldie Hawn decides to retire but I hope Ms. Hawn stays at it for awhile longer. The comparison between Ms. Morris and Ms. Hawn is not meant to diminish either one of these very talented performers. To my great surprise when I checked IMDB to find that I had had been watching her in Cold Case. As an all around actress, she is A#1. This is a good, clean, funny, family movie without being syrupy. Well worth my time. Good job everyone and rest in peace Mr. Best.