Love Finds You in Sugarcreek

...for the really excellent performance by Sarah Lancaster as Rachel. In the UK a lot of US made-for-TV movies are shown on our Channel 5 mid afternoon, and I often watch them while having a late lunch. So many have actors working on autopilot, but thought that the leads in this one displayed genuine warmth, especially Lancaster. The only thing that puzzled me about the film was the interaction between Amish and non-Amish characters. I would have thought the Amish would keep their distance a little more, but I have never visited Amish country, so have no first hand knowledge. Sometimes when I look at the synopses of the upcoming movies on my TV listings, I think - have I seen this before? because of the generic plots, but this movie has so many unusual elements that I will not quickly forget it!

Tough and cynical small-town policewoman (Sarah Lancaster) investigates a drifter (Tom Everett Scott) who comes to town with his young son and goes to work as a handyman for her three Amish aunts. He has a secret and she's protective of her aunts so she's determined to find out what he's hiding.

What a pleasant surprise this was. I was flipping through the channels and caught this on UP. One look at Sarah Lancaster's gorgeous face and I was hooked. She does wonders for a uniform, as well. Tom Everett Scott really did look like a bum here. A lot of times movies try to make someone appear homeless or disheveled and it still looks glamorous. Here, though, the guy really does look like a mess with unkempt hair, scruffy beard, and dirty clothes. Thomas Kapanowsi, the little boy playing his son, is very adorable. Kelly McGillis (from Witness) as one of the Amish aunts was a bit of inspired casting. No doubt someone is patting themselves on the back for that. Scott and Lancaster have nice chemistry, although one of the bigger pills to swallow about the story is how he's even able to connect with someone else so soon after his wife's death. It's even more eyebrow-raising when you consider the circumstances. Still, they manage to make it a believable love story. It's also pretty wholesome and sweet despite some dark subject matter underneath the surface. Beautiful scenery, sincere performances, and some good writing make this better than average TV movie fare.

I could watch this a hundred times over. The music and scenery set the mood and the characters were perfect. My favorites were the Amish sisters. I just wanted to hug them. The love story was slow and believable and the hospitality of the Amish reminded me of my southern family. I love the fact that the movie did not appear cheaply made. It's great to have high quality and wholesome all in one!

Being from Ohio and living near Sugarcreek I was skeptical, but the Director Terry Cunningham absolutely nailed it! The characters stayed true to the real people of the area, even capturing our Ohio accent. The Cinematography was just as beautiful as Sound of Music, Ohio never looked so good! The story was everything you could want a mix of Comedy, Mystery, Suspense, Action and of course Love... What a great Family movie! Kelly McGillis is spot-on as the Amish Aunt and the Actresses who play the Sisters almost stole the show. Sarah Lancaster and Tom Everett Scott were perfectly cast and the little boy actor just melts your heart. This Movie easily could have been a Hallmark Movie or a Network Movie of the week ... Somebody at NBC, CBS or ABC missed the boat! Now all we need is a Sequel to this beautiful Love Story.

Of all the Lifetime / Hallmark style Amish movies this is the top of the bunch.

It's quite watchable a story with a bit of romance a murder mystery and all the charm of the Amish. Plus the cast is great. Sarah Lancaster of Chuck has always been sweet and she makes quite a lovely small town cop. Looks very fetching. Tom Everett Scott plays a baseball player who is on the road with this young son to escape paparazzi after his movie star wife is murdered. Kelly McGillis plays an Amish again and it's a delight for anyone who can remember Witness. The country looks so enchanting. The story is quite clever and isn't too cute like some of the genre can be.

Worth a watch.