Pumpkin Everything

Taylor Cole (Amy) is drop dead gorgeous and one of my favorite Hallmark actresses. And I'm a Hallmark movie addict. But Pumpkin Everything really isn't much of a romance. It's more about the very real family drama that inevitably arises when parents (and their parents) age and begin to have difficulty with unassisted living. And that drama is effectively depicted here.

This is one of those movies that's designed to fit into the Fall schedule, and so there are many beautiful shots highlighting all the Fall colors. And lots of pumpkins. And the town is literally called Autumnboro (seriously). That's great. But the movie title is also the name of a local business run by Amy's grandfather, effectively played by busy veteran actor Michael Ironside. But he's pretty grumpy, vindictive (e.g., college aid) and often unlikeable. And yet it's hard not to sympathize with his predicament.

Pumpkin Everything is the kind of business that can only survive inside a Hallmark movie. They basically slapped a store sign on an old house and filled it with lots of decorations and some pumpkin themed merchandise, with a bunch of knickknacks for sale on the front lawn (seriously). That's a business model that would be risky at best during the prime seasonal months of October and November (when it starts to get chilly on that front lawn). But what about the other 10 months of the year? They'd be lucky to break even. Even with all the "online sales" (of pumpkin candles?)

And what exactly has Kit (played by Corey Sevier) been doing since high school? Working for Amy's grandpa at Pumpkin Everything? Hey, if working for somebody else's small town seasonal retail shop is satisfying and fulfilling, great. He's a recovered alcoholic and he has a stable job. Amy should be happy for him. But he wants successful best selling author Amy, who's focused on her flourishing career, and her legitimate concerns about her grandfather, to focus on getting back together with a high school boyfriend she left long ago and hasn't spoken to since.

What??

First, I didn't feel any chemistry between Kit and Amy. I thought there was far more chemistry when Taylor Cole was paired up with Michael Rady in Christmas in Homestead, or Steve Lund in Unlocking Christmas and The Art of Us, or Tyler Hynes in Falling For You, or Jack Turner in the Summer Prince and the Winter trilogy. Heck, there was more chemistry between Amy's mom and Luke.

And second, this movie was more about Amy and her grandpa. The romantic pairing of Kit and Amy would have been forced even if more time had been spent focusing on that relationship. But even though their romance was unsatisfying, the rest of the movie was a decent drama. They didn't sugar coat the challenges of aging or the stubborn, but understandable, reluctance of elderly people to give up their independence. I applaud that.

Random observations:

Why wasn't the damage at Luke's coffee shop covered by grandpa's insurance? And why was Amy's mother being "hounded" to pay for that damage? Insurance adjusters deal with that.

Why was grandpa getting free coffees and free Carmel apples?

Why would a senior center DJ who says things like "Rock on" and loves classic rock, be excited to bring on a surly old grump to play jazz?

In what alternate universe is Pumpkin Everything making $10,000 a month in online sales?

How does Kit have the financial wherewithal to consider the proposal that he is given?

I get that Amy became successful, but a chauffeur to Autumnboro? Really?

I love the three leads (Ashley Cole, Corey Siever and the always wonderful Michael Ironside) but was disappointed to see Michael Ironside cast as an 'old person' as opposed to someone who happens to be older. He is a well-respected actor and I remember him from years ago, usually as a bit of a 'hard man'.

He was patronised by Ashley Cole's character who wanted to decide his life for him and relegate him to a 'waiting for God' retirement facility instead of respecting his right to choose how he wanted to live.

I didn't watch to the end of the film, such was my disappointment at the way Ironside was cast. He can be, and should be, used to better effect!

Not a good message to send!

I love the idea of music by seniors for everyone! It's a great way for seniors to share their knowledge and their lives.

Amy returns home to help her grandfather after he is in a minor accident. Amy and her grandfather have been at loggerheads since her grandfather didn't support her dreams of becoming an author, but mainly because it meant that he had no one to pass his dream on to...his store Pumpkin Everything.

When Amy arrives to her hometown she reconnects with her best childhood friend Kit and discovers that her Grandfather is not doing as well as she thought. This leads Amy to try to talk her grandfather into selling everything and moving into a retirement living situation. Slowly Amy starts to realize that writing is something that her grandfather can't relate to.

Wonderful fall backdrop for this pumpkin extravaganza. And who made that ginormous fake pumpkin prop? The scarecrow contest was fun and the grandfather's house is amazing with all of its antiques and fall decor.

"Life isn't all or nothing. You get to decide what parts of your past you keep and you can always change your mind."-mom.

FYI...I don't understand why it is all or nothing for Amy. Why does her grandfather have to go into a home and sell his store? I think there are lots of compromises. She could move home...she's an author! He could get more help at the store and have a roommate at home?

The romance wasn't the most believable and the character of Amy was aggravating. What happened to "I love you and have always wanted to be with you, you are the one."? Instead it's "I won't get in the way of your career."...is that romance for millennials? I guess I am a little bit more old fashioned than that. This didn't sit the best with me even with all of it's autumnal traipsing.

Hallmark gives us this story of a successful Philadelphia writer who returns to her hometown for a visit when her grandfather suffers an injury. She is pleasantly surprised that many of the traditions continue, and she also reconnects with the best friend she left behind years ago.

Taylor Cole plays the main character, Amy, who discovers that her former friend Kit (Corey Sevier) now works in her grandfather's store. There is little to no chemistry between them at first, and the story meanders between various of Amy's interests and concerns, including her job, which has impending responsibilities. But the narrative picks up, and the final minutes of the film are totally engaging.

One of the best aspects of the film is the depiction of the autumnal colors of nature. You can practically smell the season and the pumpkin spice flavorings of everything. It is very immersive.

6.3 stars.

Amy (Taylor Cole) is a widely published author of vampire novels. Grandpa (Ironside) owns a store called Pumpkin Everything, and he thinks her novels are trashy. Kit (Corey Sevier) works at the store. The name of the town is Autumnboro? Cheesy.

After many years Amy comes back to town and sees that Grandpa and Kit are close friends, and is immediately blindsided by Kit's handsome face, and plaid shirt. She remembers him looking different when they were young, obviously not as ruggedly appealing back then...

Grandpa's house is messy, things are strewn about, there is a carton of warm milk sitting on the table without a lid. Grandpa's life is messy, he's old and can't keep up. Kit lives in Grandpa's guest house...vavavoom.

Amy has abandoned everyone important in her life when she left town years ago, and she just now realizes it. What must she do? Vampire girl helps Grandpa, makes amends with mom, and falls in love with country boy. Grandpa realizes he aint getting younger...

This movie is drab, place it in the dreadful Hallmark pile.