Sognando Manhattan

Julianna Guill is adorable as Taylor, the small time girl from Ohio, who's big dreams of fashion in Manhattan start to come true. But the big city's not all she thought it would be as she navigates the noisy, fast-paced, abrasive streets and fashion business by managing an expensive clothing store. Taylor's new boss Alyssa (Vivica Fox) sees something in Taylor's honest but friendly approach to customers and her gift for fashion, but Alyssa has trouble letting go of her own big city habits to give Taylor's new ideas for growth and change a chance. Taylor struggles to both be herself and fit into this concrete jungle while trying to grow her boss's business, make friends, please clients and find a reasonably priced apartment... there enters "the guy"... seeing the displaced and beautiful Taylor, it's Phil to the rescue! Patient and helpful, Phil tries to help Taylor adapt to city life and find a place to live while she, in return, encourages him to follow his own business dreams. In My Humble Opinion: This story line is not anything new or Emmy- worthy, but it's a cute, romantic, chick-flick to pass the time on a lazy afternoon. (PS: I loved Taylor's adorable wardrobe and sweet personality) 6.5 stars 9/2016

Was very mixed on the 2016 Summer Nights Hallmark films. While really liking 'Summer Villa', which is my favourite of the block, 'My Summer Prince' underwhelmed me and with it being the only below average 2016 Summer Nights films it is the easy least favourite. Did like the premise and have liked some of the cast in other things, the most familiar name to me being Vivica A Fox, as someone who usually finds good premises and worthy casts big selling points for seeing anything that was more than enough reason to see it.

'Summer in the City' turned out to be quite good. As far as the 2016 Summer Nights films go, even with imperfections it is one of the better ones in my view. A great film it is not, but it is also a long way from terrible in my view (the complete anti-thesis of that), somewhere around high middle in ranking Hallmark's films for that year, which was a very up and down one that year. The Christmas output being especially variable, which was true for Hallmark's succeeding years as well.

It isn't perfect. Story wise, 'Summer in the City' is very formulaic, with everything in the story pretty much mapping out exactly as one would expect from any Hallmark film with this particular formula.

Did think that it was a little bit of a slow starter, with some awkwardness and Julianna Guill's character not immediately easy to warm to. Fox disappoints, she is usually a bright spot in her films (and she has been in a lot of bad ones) but here her boss character is an over the top cartoon and she comes over as rather too hammy for my liking.

Guill however is very charming and seems to be enjoying herself, and her character does become likeable when she relaxes. Marc Bendavid is a warmly charismatic and down to earth presence and their chemistry is genuine and sweet. Natasha Henstridge is suitably zesty. The characters may be cliched but have personality, on the most part appealing ones, and aren't too perfect or over flawed. Fox's is the one exception.

The script doesn't come over as too cheesy or schmaltzy and is both fun and sincere. The story is far from special, but it goes at a good pace and is heart-warming while not taking itself too seriously. The music fits nicely and isn't used too much or overpowers, while the direction is well above routine level. Production values are lovely, New York always is a delight.

Overall, worth seeing. 7/10.

It's a little like Devil Wears Prada, but cleaner. However, it deepened my desire to NOT live in the downtown big city.

Had to watch this with my wife. She liked it. I wanted to scream lol. This lead actress needs her acting refined. She overacts in closeup scenes. Typical Hallmark movie. Made in Canada with Canadian actors pretending it takes place in America. Shame on them.

I have a seen a lot of Hallmark movies, and this still remains as one of my favorites. I don't know if it's the plot, the way it play out, the characters, or even the New York vibe. I watched this before I went to NY and as a person who lives abroad, I wanted Taylor to fulfill the dream that many of us live through movies and books, go to the big city and do what you love. I will definitely see it again. I swear every time Phil looked at Taylor (after they got to know each other, of course) some part of me melted, and that does not happen in every movie. The actors have great chemistry, and maybe that's what makes this movie so special to me. Unfortunately it doesn't happen in every one, so my advice to you? Watch it, you won't regret it, it's a great way to spend an afternoon.