Quand l'amour s'en mêle

...and this one is just meh.

The storyline is pretty standard for Hallmark, but there is no chemistry between the lead actors at all. The whole movie was pretty lackluster and boring. The only shining stars were the dogs that popped up once in a while!

Lily's aunt has a little accident so she goes back home to Harbor's Island to help her with her family's Inn. While there, she meets Marcus, a pilot who handles an adoption center for puppies. They make a deal: he will help with the repairs at the Inn, and she will create a website for the adoption center.

It was pretty enjoyable. Both leads delivered a good performance, and most importantly, they had good chemistry. There was a lot of banter and I love that! The plot was nothing that we don't know already. Besides, there are dogs!!

However, I was kind of disappointed because the ending was kind of... meh? Nothing much happened. I was not expecting fireworks or a huge declaration of love but, having not checked the time, I didn't realise that was the ending of the movie until the mandatory kiss. This may be a tiny spoiler, but I was pretty satisfied because they kind of gave the ex-boyfriend a redemption moment.

I had already seen both Marcus and Morgan before, and I would definitely watch them again.

The story is co-written by Lucie Guest and she also directed it. There is some good dialogue which sometimes comes from simple familiar lines which means the placement and directing are important. The early scene on the dock by the plane has some excellent lines and it's just the right length.

The story is a familiar one. In fact I can remember two movies I have watched in the last week that could easily be switched with this one. The ending is mostly predictable.

When the story is familiar, it is up to the actors to draw us in and I always look for good relationship building. Morgan Kohan and Marcus Rosner carried this off well and had good chemistry.

And you can't miss with dogs.

Have always watched Hallmark films with an open mind but also always without expecting too much. Some films have come off much better than expected, managing to make something appealing from unappealing or basic premises. Some are more or less what was expected in both good and bad ways. Then there are some that really don't live up to expectations and do so many things wrong. Expectations were mixed for 'Love on Harbor Island'.

The execution for 'Love on Harbor Island' was also very mixed. The second Summer Nights 2020 Hallmark film (and a big improvement over the dire previous one 'Romance in the Air') is another one of the 2020 Hallmark films that is watchable but with nothing special. Did like it to begin with, but it lost its way quite badly too early and never recovered. As far as the 2020 Hallmark films go, 'Love on Harbor Island' is one of the middling ones.

Am going to start with the good. The production values are nicely done, regardless of the authenticity of the location the scenery really is beautiful. The music has some pleasant moments, though too far and between. The acting is better than average, with appealing lead performances from Morgan Kohan and Marcus Rosner. The chemistry between them is sweet and genuine, though the relationship itself could have been handled better in the story.

Supporting cast are solid, no hamminess or phoning in. The film starts off quite well, amusing and charming.

On the other hand, the second half feels tired from doing so little new with over-familiar territory, drags and is excessively silly. Realism is not a strong suit and some serious suspension of disbelief needs to be had for the contrived and tension-free final act. The film also completely peters out at the end, it was very clear that the writers didn't know how to end it so tacked on a weird and senseless one on.

Most of the writing is awkward and the cheese factor is overdone too. The music mostly is drab and doesn't fit all that well. While the chemistry is there, this is another Hallmark film to have a relationship that is not well utilised. It doesn't go anywhere too much of the time then abruptly rushes to make up for lost time and it could have been more prominent.

Concluding, watchable but pretty average. 5/10.

What can I say, I am a sucker for red heads! Morgan is slowly becoming a hallmark star so hopefully she starts getting better scripts. I think the leading man actually matches her somewhat unlike her other two movies with Drew Nelson. I have always complained about Hallmark casting because I don't think they look at whom has chemistry. Morgan would be perfect with Andrew Walker or Peter McNally with her soft sweet demeanor. Hallmark please spend a few cents on casting department. Story, Script and Couple is what makes these movies and you just can't throw anyone together.