Junebug

I always enjoyed Autumn Reeser in her movies on Hallmark. She always brings a freshness and realness to her characters . This movie was no exception . And Aaron O'Connell has a naturalness on camera and he's very handsome to look at.

This movie was very enjoyable. The two leads had a wonderful chemistry and the young actor playing the child Junebug was adorable and talented. I also love the actor playing the café employee. I have seen them in a few other roles on Hallmark. They really need to be included in many more.

The scenery was beautiful. The whole movie gives you a warm, cozy feeling, and puts a smile on your face.

This movie is overloaded with smiles and sweetness. You will probably have to watch some true crime after this to cleanse your palate. Nevertheless, the overarching premise of remembering your childhood dreams is a good one to explore.

The male love interest is honestly too perfect -- a common Hallmark issue. He is artsy, super-calm, incredibly forgiving, encouraging, ridiculously nice, remarkably available, and of course has rock-solid beefy arms. I think it would be great if Hallmark would take a risk and add some complexity to their lead characters -- especially the men.

The acting is fine and the production values are very good, even if it all feels a bit too easy, saccharine, and artificial. It's hard to relate to characters who so easily get everything that they want.

I initially thought the kid was going to be a real turnoff, but she ended up being more endearing than I expected. The film is really saved by the chemistry between Autumn Reeser and Aaron O'Connell. The overall story is ok, but the romance is the reason to watch.

A shout out to the parents in this film...I kind of liked their kooky and cohesive unit.

Now my Seattle rant, while I love that Hsllmark wants to set these films in Seattle and uses some stock footage along with a couple name drops to solidify their "location"...it is so blatantly obvious that it isn't actually Seattle. As someone who lived on Capital Hill for more than two decades, I can spot a fake from a mile away. Why not set the film in Canada if you are going to shoot it there? Would anyone really care? Or...and here is a novel concept why not actually set it in Seattle if you are going to say it is Seattle, pay the money, bite the bullet and film it in Seattle.

A children's book editor, who really wants to be a writer, but isn't, "runs into" a very talented muralist.

At about the same time, her "eight year old self" shows up in her life. The little girl that plays that role is awesome!

The lead actress breaks up with the predictable, regular steady guy and goes out on a limb with the new muralist Illustrator. They begin to do a book together.

BTW Hallmark is putting the first kiss earlier and earlier into their movies.

Of course, the arc of the plot has to have a disappointing moment, and this one does.

This is funny, Hartfelt, and inspiring. I recommend you give it a try.

This is a straight up chick flick. Meaning its cast is nearly all women, the story is mostly about the woman, the women dominate the screen time and the men are just props. There isn't much here for a regular guy even if he likes these types of movies.

Given that, it's not a bad movie just not for everyone. The story is fine, the main character goes on a journey and changes the course of her life and there aren't a ton of really bad holes in the writing.

However, the local barista gets as much screen time as the "leading man". That guy is physically perfect (except for his ears) but is an emotional flower and is as delicate as a daisy. The father figure is just your typical father prop and offers nothing to the movie. The best friend has two kids but apparently no husband.

I'm not ripping on the movie but if you're a regular dude I would let your wife watch this one on her own.