You Had Me at Aloha

'You Had Me at Aloha', seen as part of a newly started project of watching more non-Christmas Hallmark films, is another one of the Hallmark films where expectations were mixed. Hallmark have done many misses but also many surprising hits, so there is absolutely no bias for or against them. Hawaii is a stunning place. The two leads have been at least watchable in other things. The story did not sound great though and had heard and seen comments from trusted reviewers about it being bad.

Watching it, 'You Had Me at Aloha' (one of Hallmark's Summer Nights films) didn't strike me as anywhere near as bad as has been said, and not the awful film that was to be increasingly honest expected. Some things are done very well and considering the circumstances it could have been worse. There are a lot of major and distracting however and the film overall is also not particularly good and is instead on the whole very, very average.

Starting with the good, 'You Had Me at Aloha' looks beautiful. Hallmark was no stranger to beautiful scenery and Hawaii is as stunning a locale as one can get, captured photogenically by the photography. The music is pleasant and nostalgic, as well as more authentic than most Hallmark soundtracks (an aspect that was always variable to problematic with them). There are some cute and entertaining moments thanks to the delivery of the two leads.

Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith are immensely appealing leads and their chemistry to me was natural and warm. The supporting cast are also more than able, considering what they were given.

However, 'You Had Me at Aloha' had a lot wrong with it that stopped me from engaging with it. The story is very messy, with a choppy and rushed first act, a sometimes charming and fun middle act despite realism going out of the window and a contrived and truly ridiculous final act. Actually got the sense that the writers had little idea how to end the film. The script has too much cheese and awkwardness and is also far too talky and over-explanatory.

The pacing could have been a lot tighter as well, as it does suffer from the story furthermore being as thin as a wafer and being excessively predictable due to rehashing well worn ideas. Meaning that it feels pedestrian too much. The direction tends to be too routine and for all the cast's best efforts the characters are underdeveloped and don't come over as real enough. More could have been done with the Hawaiian culture, not much of it to the extent that the setting could have passed for anywhere.

Overall, not that bad but not particularly good at the same time. 5/10.

Could be it better ? Obvious. Because the all recipe is reduced at actors and Hawaii. And, no doubts, Pascal Hutton,Kavan Smith,Jennifer Aspen and Valen Ahlo are just inspired options. But it is far to be enough.

The story is a continuous line. You know the end but it is so forced than you are more than disappointed . Because the potential offered by Hawaii is pure wasted. And the nice exposure of the vulnerability of characters becomes fake.

So, could be better with little some effort.

First things first: This production deserves credit for navigating the COVID crisis, especially under the very restrictive mandates in Honolulu. Attentive viewers will notice the preponderance of outdoor shots--which is perfect for a film that wants to capitalize on the beauty of Hawaii---and the emphasis on spacing and small groups.

Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith are a staple on Hallmark. Here they play Paige and Ben, co-hosts of a destination travel show, who come to Oahu to create an episode. Like oil and vinegar at first, they grapple with the incompatibility of their styles. Paige likes things scripted and under control; Ben prefers the ad lib and impromptu adventures.

As a travelogue for Oahu, the film does a satisfactory job. As a romance, it successfully leans on the comedic chops of its stars, who have a practiced and warm congeniality. They were heavily involved in the design and production of this film.

As other viewers have commented, some haircuts are noticeably patchy, but that minor detail is more than compensated for by the aforementioned extra effort required to make this film during civil restrictions and travel limitations.

There's a simple way to tell if you'll like this movie, and that's how much you like Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith together.

True the plot is inconsequential - it's predictable. It's an excuse to put these two people on the same screen. I didn't see the twist coming, but I should have because the plot is almost the same as another movie that I can't remember the title. (If I describe it, it's too close to spoilers even if it is predictable.)

The point is that Hutton and Smith have worked together for years and the chemistry and ease of their real relationship is obvious.

That's not to say these characters are anything like those on When Calls the Heart because they aren't. In fact the two actors almost switch personalities. (It makes me wonder if someone said to Smith - see how close you can imitate Rosemary and maybe likewise to Hutton as Lee.)

I enjoyed it. There are only so many new plots that fit Saturday night on Hallmark Channel. I do love it when there is something fresh, but barring that, I look for the relationships and this pair came through again.

I was so excited for this movie because I love the main actors but this movie ended up being so boring. I only watched till the end because of two of my favorite actors. The "goat" embarrassment was stupid to ruin the main actors dreams for so many years. I listened to the "Deck the Halls" podcast and the screen writer said they "Up'd" the comedy. What?!?! My favorite HMM make me laugh or giggle at the characters but this one? No laughing, just boring... Oh, and the side characters drinking in the chairs? Ackward and unhappy.

I felt they didn't take advantage of Hawaii either. They could've entered a sand castle competition together or against each other! They could've went boogie boarding, kayaking, hiking, mixed drink competition, limbo contest!!! Grass shirt lessons, pineapple picking..... So much opportunity for a fun, romantic movie!