Un amour de pâtisserie

This Hallmark TV romantic comedy about how Kathryn Morris' husband dumps her for a twenty year old acupuncturist and she must move back in with her father at his bakery in Flemington NJ has some good performances going for it. Alastair Mackenzie is particularly amusing and knows how to take a comic fall. However, the occasional clangorous line like "Thank you for not selling out your daddy" prevent it from being much above average good.

I am taken with Ms. Morris' performance as she goes from pampered upper-class lady to down-to-earth New Jersey girl. A lot of these Hallmark romcoms start by having their heroines starting out obnoxious to make their transformations more dramatic. This one gets you on her side immediately, by a brief, self-satisfied smile at her position and then plunges her into shocked incomprehension as her husband kicks her out, ameliorated by good comic bits. It's those bits that keep this one watchable throughout.

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!

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.

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.

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!?