'All Summer Long' was watched with mixed expectations. Have liked Autumn Reeser and Brennan Elliott (both Hallmark regulars) in other things, with Reeser being more consistent in my view. Liked the idea of the setting. Having said that, the story didn't sound that attention grabbing and most the 2019 Summer Nights films were generally not too great (apart from 'Love and Sunshine', one of the best 2019 Hallmark films, and to a lesser extent 'A Summer Romance').
While not being irredeemable, 'All Summer Long' was not too great and was actually even less attention grabbing than it already sounded. Mediocre if you will, while not being one of the worst 2019 Hallmark films. The different setting sets it apart a little bit but could have been used better and everything that happens in the film is a long way from different or refreshing. If 'All Summer Long' works for others, that's fine by me but overall it regrettably was not my cup of tea.
There are a few decent things. The production values are at least professional looking, nothing drab or garish here and did like the ship setting a lot. The music is not over-powering or too constant.
Reeser does a good job carrying the film and is suitably effervescent, did appreciate that her character wasn't too perfect and that any flaws weren't exaggerated.
However, Elliott was a lot less good. Have liked him in other Hallmark films, but here his character is too much of a wimp and Elliott comes over as very bland and not particularly comfortable. He and Reeser don't just don't have spark in their chemistry, they seem disconnected and the relationship itself felt under-cooked. The supporting cast don't really register and of the characters only Reeser's has any degree of likeability. The others don't come over as real and either don't have much personality or are annoying.
Furthermore, the script is filled with cheese overload and is very awkward sounding too often. The backing and forthing comes over as contrived and there could have been less of it. The story is very flimsy in the first place and also suffers from a pedestrian pace and being extremely predictable and silly. The final act is contrived and the ending feels too pat and doesn't feel worth it for a relationship that wasn't investable. Goofs are very high in number, the film is full of them, showing little understanding of the setting, and some of the editing lacks cohesion. The direction never rises above routine and that's being generous.
In summary, very mediocre. 4/10.
