The Bouquet

I recently watched this on the religious-based Trinity channel and was amazed at its overall quality: equal to that of a standard Hallmark movie. I have not seen Kristy Swanson on screen in ages, so I did not realize it was her until the closing credits, though her face looked awfully familiar. My first memory of her was in 'Flowers in the Attic' (1985), and later, Early Edition.

This movie begins on a solid laid-back note; the aged parents (Nicole Cavendish, Steven Miller) own a greenhouse/floral business, and prepare for the upcoming holiday season; eagerly anticipating arrival of their two adult daughters (Kristy Swanson, Alberta Mayne). Then a tragedy hits, and mom learns some rather unfortunate news. It is now up to the daughters to step up their game and help out with the ailing greenhouse business, and get mom current with the Internet in order to run the place successfully. Soon, both daughters also discover true love with a local delivery man (Jeremy Guilbaut), and a handyman (Michael Shanks).

What truly I found unique about this movie was its rather subtle romance tones; unlike many other romance-based movies. This film does not force the theme. The building romances are unobtrusive, which works very well for this type of movie. And the entire cast is superb, and the story, well delivered.

Kristy Swanson and Alberta Mayne play a pair of sisters who come home to help their parents and their flower nursery business. As kids the sisters were competitive as Nicola Cavendish their mother points out. Each went in opposite directions, Swanson became yuppie in the advertising business and Mayne became a back to nature social activist.

Their father's death really puts the financial crunch on the family as Mom finds out dad was running a smoke and mirrors operation to keep the wolf away. The sisters don't get along at first, but when they figure it out both have the skills that fill complementary needs to save the family business.

The Bouquet is a nice family film without too much religious preaching as I did see it on the Christian Broadcasting Network. Danny Glover makes a cameo appearance as a minister. The girls even realize a couple of romantic prospects in Michael Shanks for Swanson and Jeremy Guilbaut for Mayne.

You have to see how the sisters work it. In its own way inspiring.

Terri Benton (Kristy Swanson) is a busy professional in the city who suddenly gets let go. The family flower business back home is failing. Then her father dies leaving her mother Bonnie (Nicola Cavendish) alone. She and her social activist sister Mandy Benton (Alberta Mayne) have to return home to help out. Family friend reverend John (Danny Glover) tells them the truth. Sam (Michael Shanks) is a guy who's been working at the business. They try to update their business as an alternative to chemical laden grocery store flowers.

It's a pretty sweet family movie. It's not anything surprising or big. It starts a little too slowly. The movie needs to gather the family a little sooner. The family relationships are where the drama exists. It's an OK TV movie with a good heart if the viewer has no expectations.

It's not the kind of movie that will change your life, but it's the kind of movie you want to sit down with your whole family and watch.

Glover is glorious, Swanson is sweet and Mayne is magnificent.

It's a bit of a throwback movie that we all remember from the golden days of films - the kind we'd look forward to every Sunday night with the family. You're safe knowing that no one will be offended, but at the end of the evening it's a fine movie to sit around a chat about.

There's no violence, sex, swear words or disturbing situations. Just a well acted, well-written and enjoyable film for the whole family. A nice movie with a nice message.

I'm a tough movie grader, so when I give a film a "9", it's a great picture! Like a previous reviewer, I am thankful to the writer and producer of Bouquet for making this a non-rated film. Why do many movie makers think that we want PG, PG-13 an R rated movies, that are full of either obscenity, nudity or excessive violence? Yes, I concur with another reviewer about this negative situation. I am very pleased that Bouquet does not have junk in it that would make it the "child warning" ratings! I, also, want to give movie producers the plea to make more decent movies. I'd love to see more non-rated movies on the market.

We especially need some more Christmas movies that convey the real meaning of Christmas. It's about Christ, the Savior, not about fictitious Santa Claus, Elves, or other goofiness. Please tell your children and grandchildren the real meaning of Christmas. Give them a gift that lasts forever!

Okay, now back to the Bouquet movie... I won't tell you the story details, but it's a winning film!