Les braises d'une romance

A cute story with attractive stars. Somewhat predictable, but very entertaining.

With the preponderance of food related careers among our Hallmark protagonists, I suppose it was only a matter of time before we entered the world of competition Barbecue. This one was not bad due to the presence of Autumn Reeser, one of the better Hallmark Actresses. In fact, everyone did a good job in getting the most out of their lines. Otherwise, it was strictly by the Hallmark playbook, and totally predictable. Noteworthy, however, in this entry, was a nice ex-husband with whom our heroine had no conflict whatsoever. He was a good father, and even the new love interest, an excellent Marc Blucas, liked him, and visa versa.

The taste of end, forced, fake , unrealistic dominates about this film. A modest one Hallmark, mixing same ingredients - from the single parent to the love from youth , forced vacantion and great opportunity, noble refused to talks , competition, small town, business of parents.

It is not bad, it is not boring but it has the bad luck to be only another Hallmark.

The effort of actors is just nice and the supporting actors are in right positions. But you feel than something just missing. Each scene seems copy from others and the main actors are just good people but nothing more.

The food as subject is not a wrong idea but except the smoker and its problems - the fire being the clue moment - nothing seems very interesting.

The poor Marc Blucas seems interpretate a teenager, the smiles, dialogues, nature of romance reminding a teen enloved by his teacher. Autumn Reeser gives his character , same for each film from Hallmark and she has right in good measure.

The opportunity to like the film - maybe the work of Shelley Thompson. And the young Lola Flanery, off course.

In short, nice , the polite term for Hallmark universe.

You get these sense that these leads could do this sort of film in their sleep, but getting a Hallmark film right isn't easy after all.

I thought this was one of the better efforts, sticking closely to the tried and tested story formula. There were some lovely moments along the way, and a nice story is being told.

Both the leads are engaging, and seem to have good chemistry, while the storyline just about holds up too.

I thought this was enjoyable enough fun from Hallmark overall. While deviation from the standard format is needed and welcomed at times, equally you can't go wrong with the right people in the right sort of roles telling a sweet story.

Have liked both Autumn Reeser and Marc Blucas together in other things, and considering that they are here in roles perfect for them and ones they do very well there was no doubt that they would be at least good. Also didn't have any doubt as to whether they would gel, not just because of them having characters that play to their strengths but also that the types of characters they have that are seen a lot in Hallmark films have not been an uncommon pairing and it has gelled well.

'Season for Love' may not be a great film or one devoid of flaws, but it's very charming and light hearted and doesn't disappoint on the whole. The 2018 Summer Nights films varied ('Pearl in Paradise' being an example of a winner and 'Love on Safari' being an example of a misfire), and luckily 'Season for Love' is one of the best. It represents Reeser and Blucas very well, individually and together, and succeeds a lot more than it fails which is what matters at the end of the day.

Beginning with what is flawed with 'Season for Love', the film is imperfectly paced. It takes a while for the story to find its footing, with not much happening and the momentum isn't there at first. And then the last 10-15 minutes or so are rather rushed in structure and in what happens (unrealistically quickly).

Also did find the ending too hasty and too pat and admittedly there is never any surprise as to what happens next.

Reeser and Blucas are both immensely engaging and neither overact or underplay, always involved in the drama while looking relaxed. While they may not electrify together and the relationship itself could have had more development, they gel beautifully together with nothing feeling contrived or too muted. Also had no issue with their characters, no overblown character flaws and neither are too perfect. Same with the supporting characters, that are solidly played across the board.

It is a nice looking film, particularly the scenery. The music is not too constant or repetitive, even if there is not much that leaps out. The script flows very well, and has a nice light hearted wit and the more serious moments don't feel melodramatic. Despite imperfect pacing and being predictable, the story is still very charming and has a lot of heart, appreciated too that there were no forced conflicts and that nothing felt extraneous.

Overall, very nice film if not great. 7/10.