La Robe de la mariée

We all know these Hallmark movies (whether mystery or romance or combination thereof) are uneven qualitatively. Some are worse than others, and this one is pretty bad.

I was motivated to watch it for a couple of reasons. First, I am an admirer of Peter Deluise. He directed and/or wrote some of my most favorite Stargate SG1 episodes (I still mourn the loss of SG1). So I figured that some of Peter's directorial brilliance shown in SG1 (I was going to name a few episodes here but really, there are just too many to choose from!) would surely shine through in this movie.

Second, it has Steve Bacic in it. He brilliantly played Camulus, a Goa'uld System Lord in SG1. Those Goa'uld characters are way, way fun. And I was interested in seeing him again.

So, yeah, there's that. Then there's the fact it is the dog days of summer. Too hot to go out. To hot to do anything. So a nice, mindless movie was just the thing.

But this movie is terrible. Granted I've not seen other movies in the series. Not that it matters. I can hit the ground running as well as the next guy, and besides, these tend to not be too intellectually challenging.

But let's get it out in the open -- I don't like Lori Loughlin. She is cold and has an almost cruel look on her face most of the time. I sense no warmth or humanity emanating from her. The story line about her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend just made me roll my eyes. Seriously? You're going to harshly admonish the poor boy for making a mistake at the dinner table? Plus, she plays nasty games of "if you don't know I'm not going to tell you" with her husband. Gak.

In fact all the characters seem highly stereotypical, and frankly uninteresting. The ditzy, goofy friend. The inept police detective. The irritating, clueless daughter (really?! she's a college junior and she's still living at home? KMN!). And, sadly, the annoying and deceptive husband (oh Steve Bacic! What have they done to you?).

The mystery itself was pretty one-dimensional, its outcome foreseeable. They try to shake it up a bit at the end, but even that was predictable (if not judicially disturbing).

I just don't know. Clearly these movies are made for a different segment of the population. I kept thinking about the amazing international mysteries I've seen out of Scandinavia (for example), and there's no comparison. They are better in every way imaginable. This movie was a waste of time to watch. I should have done laundry instead.

I honestly can't think of one positive thing to say about the movie. I didn't give it a 0 out of respect for Deluise and Bacic. I want to pull out my SG1 DVDs.

........ but with a sloppy sappy whitewashed ending. Why did Director: Peter DeLuise , end this episode with that goofy oh so feel good ending? I found the buildup in solving the wedding dress mystery very absorbing and well written as Jennifer Shannon brings the events together on that day in 1979 in line with her inquisitive research.

Her deductive reasoning while evaluating the evidence she finds added a more than usual interest to this episode. Then when the two principle characters confess to the detective what happened the day of the wedding I was expecting a deeper secret to come to light after 36 years had past. Such as a hidden affair between the socially prominent bride of that day and the lesser prominent auto garage repair owner.

But no! Hallmark threw in the sugar coating and nostalgia and everybody goes home happy and pleased. That just ruined the mystery for me.

6.4 stars.

To me this story was quite forgettable. The movie itself is not bad, the main plot of murder and mystery and all that it's meant to represent is just very plain. The side stories of family and friends which are actually the aspect that makes this a good series, are entertaining enough for me to award this over 6.0. The mystery plot was bland, so I have nothing much to say but that I have made better use of my time on many occasions. It was difficult to stay interested, and I'm not sure I can point a finger at one specific reason. Give it a try if you want to be completest in your personal reviews of Hallmark mystery movies.

This is the fourth film in Hallmark's Garage Sale Mystery series and I think the series is finally hitting it's stride. I still miss both the original actors who played the husband and the daughter...especially the daughter, having trouble warming up to Eva Bourne in that role. Also...they rolled back the time on the daughter, she is now a junior in college again, no mention of the detective boyfriend from the first film or law school, but she has a current boyfriend who is also a junior in college...and they are serious. She seems to be floundering a bit and working in her mom's shop. I do like Steve Bacic, the actor who plays the husband currently, he is a great actor and I particularly liked him in the end of this film.

No appearance by their son in this episode who is at a camp of some kind. The domestic conflict is all about Jennifer and Jason's anniversary, which she thinks he has forgotten...and the mystery revolves around a designer wedding dress that Jennifer and Dani pick up at an estate sale. It ends up being connected to a decades old missing person cold case. Of course, once Jennifer's interest is peaked there is no stopping her!

"The police have a saying...no body, no crime."-Detective Frank Lynwood

I appreciated that in this case there were no malevolent characters...that was kind of refreshing. Jennifer has made friends with the local medical examiner Tramell...who loves his puns almost as much as Jennifer and is still good friends with Frank, aka Detective Lynwood. Frank, on his lunch breaks, is helpful but not encouraging of Jennifer's extracurricular sleuthing in this case of a debutant wedding where the groom goes missing after the vows and pictures, but before the reception!

It was wonderful to see Cheryl Ladd, who is as gorgeous and elegant as ever, in her role as the abandoned bride Helen Whitney Carter.

"You know what happens in these big houses at 4pm? Tea! It almost makes paying the property taxes worthwhile."-Helen

I like the mature characters and the family dynamic in this cosy mystery series. Happily married and mentally healthy core. I like the best friend Dani being quirky, new age-y, vintage clothes wearing, healthful eating oriented and still searching for her special someone...and just answers to life. She seems a good fit for the show and for an antique shop, making a wonderful foil for Jennifer. But the thing I like the most about the series is the antiques! I love seeing slag lamps in the backgrounds of the scenes and hearing about them selling a Bakelite backgammon set. This makes the series really work for me.

This was a decent mystery and an excellent cosy mystery...fans will not be disappointed. This is a strong recommendation from me.

(P. S. I totally agree that digital is like fast food and the old tube radios and receivers are fine dining! Excellent analogy.)

I have watched all of the Garage Sale Mystery films so far and although I liked them all, this one was my favorite by far. I must have seen something these other reviewers didn't, but I really enjoyed watching The Wedding Dress. Lori Loughlin was great as Jennifer Shannon, and there was nothing cold or cruel about her, imo. And, I did not find her smile distracting, I thought it was nice. Also, I thought the secondary plot between her daughter and the boyfriend was a very welcome addition to the story. Yes, the ending was predictable, but come on, its Hallmark! All in all, a very enjoyable film, that IS worth watching. My grade: B+.