A Harvest Homecoming

The best way to watch this movie is on an old black and white tv so you don't get a two hour overdose of orange. From the start there was too much autumn decorating inside and outside The fast forward button helps get through this very routine movie which has the low point at the proper time. From there is has the things working out for the happy ending in the usual last few minutes. The use of the mute button can help get through the music and very fake dancing. The whole fishing pond scene looked like a picture background on a stage set. With nothing moving in the background of the fishing scene it looked like they turned on a fan to make the close plants move a little to end the scene. This is one to write down the title for the don't watch again note book. . .

This one was actually produced by GAF, not acquired from an independent studio. So we have shirts buttoned up to the top with no troublesome decolletage or hints that two adults might be having extra marital sex, or relationships based of deceit and lies that generated so much unhappiness and feelings of betrayal in some of their loyal viewership. We had meal time prayer, references to faith and God and blessings. And, by Golly, we had leaves.

I have never seen so many fake decorative leaves in all of my life. Leaves of every shade of orange or red imaginable. Stringed up everywhere. Twinkling. On the eaves, on the window sills, wound around fence posts, gates, rails, in wreaths, pasted to walls (indoor and outdoor), on tables and every other surface. Even at the school, the barn, and in every room. It was hilarious. GAF must have raided every Hobby Lobby in Canada. I can only imagine the behind the scenes convos that broke out between the professional set decorators and the powers that be.

MORE leaves??!!! But....

YES! YES! YES! MORE MORE MORE!

But this is an Apple Orchard! How about a few Apples?

NO! Apples don't say Fall, Autumn or Harvest! Our viewers need more leaves, not more Apples!

I think the final autumn overload was the revenge of the Set Decorators.

Trevor Donovan is experienced and I've enjoyed him in a lot of movies. I've come to enjoy Jessica Lowndes also. This movie was very disappointing. The acting is surprisingly average.

The story is average with no great highs or lows or surprises. In fact, if you break it down, it follows typical lines. This includes an antagonistic first meeting. Then that melts instantly and they get along great with no transition. There's friends and family all telling the leads to get back out there, repeatedly. There is even the line about "It's a date, no not a date..." (Ugh) There's a ticking clock as far as Drew leaving soon. The conflict occurs explosively, quick and maybe overblown. The ending is predictable.

Something was off with Donovan and Lowndes, just a little. It dampened any chemistry. The dialogue wasn't great. The sets are limited.

What about the singing? Whenever there is a movie with Lowndes I eagerly anticipate her singing. I guess there was one surprise. Donovan did the singing. He was decent in a country sort of way.

This is another totally family safe, family friendly movie. It's not bad, but it wasn't what expected with these leads. It's still a little better than many I've seen on this network with lesser known stars, so I guess it's watchable.

Great American Family is trying hard to compete with Hallmark, but these movies continually look cheap and cut obvious corners. As other reviewers have pointed out, the leaf decor is over the top and ridiculous. No pumpkins or hay bales, and not one apple in sight -- at an apple orchard! Also, there's no character development and the story is too simple to stretch into a full-length feature. Where had Jessica Lowndes and her son been living before coming to Chestnut Hollow? What happened to her kid's father? Is he in the picture? Who is her best friend who drops by occasionally? How did this orchard stay in business without obvious things like a petting zoo and a maze? And isn't Trevor Donovan at 40 a little old to still be searching for a permanent life? GAF is certainly a player in these types of movies, but so far Hallmark continues to eat their lunch.

Alright, so I had a little free time and decided to watch "A Harvest Homecoming" with Trevor Donovan in the lead. Here's my take on it. The plot's not reinventing the wheel here. We've got a small-town setting, where people are as close-knit as the stitches on a handmade quilt. The story revolves around the annual harvest festival, which is facing potential cancellation. Enter Trevor Donovan's character, who's back in town after a long time, with memories and old feelings resurfacing. You probably know where this is going - there's some light drama, bits of romance, and the challenge of saving the festival. Familiar? Sure. Comfortable? Absolutely. If you're looking for a cozy, easy watch that'll leave you with a smile on your face, then go for it. It's the sort of movie that feels like a warm hug on a cold day. Trevor Donovan does a commendable job, the setting is delightful, and the story, though predictable, is heartfelt.