26 reviews
This Hallmark romance is notable for its fantasy elements that relate to an aberration in the time continuum. That aspect reminds me of "Somewhere in Time."
Brian Connor (Rob Estes) temporarily relocates in Maine for a business assignment. He is a no nonsense kind of guy. A local real estate agent suggests he buy a neglected cottage rather than lease a modern, urban space. Though it is against his nature, something about the property draws him in. And in the process of renovation, he finds a locket that triggers a mysterious adventure that has romantic consequences.
The story holds up despite the complications of time displacement. And the transformation of Brian's personality is believable. This is a different kind of romance, but most Hallmark fans should enjoy it.
Brian Connor (Rob Estes) temporarily relocates in Maine for a business assignment. He is a no nonsense kind of guy. A local real estate agent suggests he buy a neglected cottage rather than lease a modern, urban space. Though it is against his nature, something about the property draws him in. And in the process of renovation, he finds a locket that triggers a mysterious adventure that has romantic consequences.
The story holds up despite the complications of time displacement. And the transformation of Brian's personality is believable. This is a different kind of romance, but most Hallmark fans should enjoy it.
For those curious, this reviewer has been quite harsh in discussion of Canadian films, especially those pretending to be about somewhere else, or someone else, or anything else than what the film actually is.
This could be the exception that proves the rule. On the surface a typical low budget Canuck flick shot in BC but (astonishingly) pretending to take place in Maine, chockablock with delightful Canadian small town sets, starring actors you may never see again in your lifetime, many of whom have not quite managed to hide that distinctive Canuck accent.
So aside from lack of pretence, what is there to actually recommend this film? A really neat story, mainly. Similar perhaps to some of the "time travel" romance movies that have been done before (the classic is Matheson's BID TIME RETURN, filmed under a different name) but yet different enough to be entertaining and still hold the attention.
Yes, Hollywood could do a better job. But this one 'aint bad at all.
This could be the exception that proves the rule. On the surface a typical low budget Canuck flick shot in BC but (astonishingly) pretending to take place in Maine, chockablock with delightful Canadian small town sets, starring actors you may never see again in your lifetime, many of whom have not quite managed to hide that distinctive Canuck accent.
So aside from lack of pretence, what is there to actually recommend this film? A really neat story, mainly. Similar perhaps to some of the "time travel" romance movies that have been done before (the classic is Matheson's BID TIME RETURN, filmed under a different name) but yet different enough to be entertaining and still hold the attention.
Yes, Hollywood could do a better job. But this one 'aint bad at all.
- A_Different_Drummer
- Oct 9, 2015
- Permalink
Regular film watchers of the Hallmark channel will notice that this house is the real star ! The front exterior has, in different guises, been featured in many films - from a country retreat, a French villa in Summer Villa, a dilapidated mansion to name a few.
This film is delightful and well worth watching.
This film is delightful and well worth watching.
- linda-plant2
- Mar 1, 2019
- Permalink
The plot was fairly well done and the characters wholly believable for a fantasy! I like Rob Estes acting alot and always feel he is underrated. The setting was perfect for a fantasy, reminding me somewhat of the Enchanted Cottage, a very old movie based on fantasy also. It moved along well, even though it jumped back and forth - which it really had to in order to tell the story from both historic and contemporary period. I didn't care for the paramour of his and felt her acting was beneath others. Too "cookie cutter" for me. I loved the ending which tied it ALL together and was a 'win win' for those of us who appreciate the hard work of life that LEADS to an actual, "happy ending" with wisdom of age prevailing and an understanding and empathy of how things were vs. How things are.
- graceoverpressuretheoneANDonly
- Dec 20, 2022
- Permalink
The Edge of the Garden (2011)
Looking for a fun romantic fantasy for an evening together with a loved one.
Light and easy to follow has all the needed elements an unhappily married woman. A gardener who understands the stress of moving from the city to Maineand tries to help the wife emotionally deal with a demanding husband. A young urban professional who's new job takes him to Maine and purchases the Maine home nearly 50 years after the original couple had abandoned the home.
I think you would be delighted. Add to the fantasy a Maine ghostly mystery that transverses three generations and I think this movie will keep your attention.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.
Looking for a fun romantic fantasy for an evening together with a loved one.
Light and easy to follow has all the needed elements an unhappily married woman. A gardener who understands the stress of moving from the city to Maineand tries to help the wife emotionally deal with a demanding husband. A young urban professional who's new job takes him to Maine and purchases the Maine home nearly 50 years after the original couple had abandoned the home.
I think you would be delighted. Add to the fantasy a Maine ghostly mystery that transverses three generations and I think this movie will keep your attention.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.
Julie dumps Brian Connor (Rob Estes) after he missed their own engagement party for work in a large San Francisco tech company. He leaves to organize a newly acquired web hosting company in Maine. He gets convinced to buy a fixer-upper old mansion. As he does some repairs, strange things start happening and he encounters a ghostly Nora. In 1960, Nora is caught between kindly handyman Frank Clemmons and her loveless marriage to Thomas Hargrave.
There is a problem with his character construction. We're told that he's a big man in the company which makes two billion dollars. He's fixing a twenty million dollar acquisition as a side trip. Yet, he's doing his own home repairs. I don't buy that. He needs to insert a few lines talking about returning to his handyman roots and he needs to be a less important businessman. He could say that he had fixed up a small place as a summer job. This time-traveling premise does have some interesting potential. It is annoying to keep doing the tired trope of not saying everything right away. Brian should not hold back especially Nora and even Julie. Instead of Sarah, the movie should end with someone like Alana who is revealed to be the granddaughter. This is a bit limp as a romance but intriguing enough as a sci-fi.
There is a problem with his character construction. We're told that he's a big man in the company which makes two billion dollars. He's fixing a twenty million dollar acquisition as a side trip. Yet, he's doing his own home repairs. I don't buy that. He needs to insert a few lines talking about returning to his handyman roots and he needs to be a less important businessman. He could say that he had fixed up a small place as a summer job. This time-traveling premise does have some interesting potential. It is annoying to keep doing the tired trope of not saying everything right away. Brian should not hold back especially Nora and even Julie. Instead of Sarah, the movie should end with someone like Alana who is revealed to be the granddaughter. This is a bit limp as a romance but intriguing enough as a sci-fi.
- SnoopyStyle
- Feb 27, 2021
- Permalink
This was really good for a made-for-TV production. I've actually seen it a couple of times now and I just love the time travel/ghost element. It's along the lines of the classic heartbreaker 'Somewhere In Time', Hallmarks 'The Love Letter' or even 'The Lake House'. With decent acting, and a clever, well thought out story containing elements of mystery, suspense and romance.
The story follows a newly single workaholic (Rob Estes) who buys a rundown cottage in Maine where he encounters the ghost of a woman (or so he thinks) who used to live there in the 1960s. As the two form a friendship, they realize that somehow they are sharing the same space even though there is 50 years between them. 'Brian' then becomes determined to change her fate.
This was just all-round better than most TV movies; not cheesy and with attention paid to the set decorating and (60's) period detail (clothing, hairstyles, kitchen knick-knacks, cars etc.) These things usually get overlooked in the made for TV stuff. The setting is also beautiful, the house and garden which play a huge role here.
This is definitely a story that haunts you for a few days afterwards (I may have even shed a tear) the only real issue I had was the sometimes too loud background/theme music. 5/25/15
*Langley BC as Maine.
The story follows a newly single workaholic (Rob Estes) who buys a rundown cottage in Maine where he encounters the ghost of a woman (or so he thinks) who used to live there in the 1960s. As the two form a friendship, they realize that somehow they are sharing the same space even though there is 50 years between them. 'Brian' then becomes determined to change her fate.
This was just all-round better than most TV movies; not cheesy and with attention paid to the set decorating and (60's) period detail (clothing, hairstyles, kitchen knick-knacks, cars etc.) These things usually get overlooked in the made for TV stuff. The setting is also beautiful, the house and garden which play a huge role here.
This is definitely a story that haunts you for a few days afterwards (I may have even shed a tear) the only real issue I had was the sometimes too loud background/theme music. 5/25/15
*Langley BC as Maine.
- juneebuggy
- Jun 21, 2015
- Permalink
A man takes a house on lease then he finds some mysteries about the house...he met a woman in the house and fall in love.but she is belongs past 1960 and he tries to save her from fire accident...
- kamalbeeee
- Sep 14, 2020
- Permalink
If you suspend belief and just let yourself be entertained by it's simple,heart-warming message,you will be transported back to a more innocent time and place..in your heart and mind. Another reviewer asked if it was possible for hyacinths and roses to be flowering at the same time. In the north,yes.Both bloom in the spring,hyacinths in early spring and roses in mid-spring.. with that said nothing should detract from simply enjoying this as a simple romantic pleasure with a twist..Don't worry about endings or plausibility.Simply let yourself enjoy the period dialogue,mannerisms,cars,and great performances by the two lead characters. Anyone who became a romantic fan of Somewhere in Time or The Love Letter will find enjoyment in the adaption of impossible love..somewhere in the garden.Highly encourage you to see this.
- Xjayhawker
- Feb 17, 2013
- Permalink
I loved this film I watched it again today on TV great story with love and time travel. The ending was brilliant the last 20 minutes are magic. It is reminiscent of Somewhere in Time with Christopher Reeves. If you enjoyed that movie you will love this one.
- turnbull50
- May 26, 2018
- Permalink
- LukeCustomer2
- Nov 10, 2018
- Permalink
I usually skip most TV movies these days because they're cheaply made with bad acting.
Lifetime movies don't impress me at all and I refuse to watch them anymore.
The Sci Fi channel will only make a decent movie once in a while with the gap between the good ones and the bad flicks getting wider and wider. I skip most of these as well.
Hallmark can make a schmaltzy film like the rest of the television networks, but they do much, much better than many.....Why?
I don't have the answer, but most of their movies are regarded by many as a much higher quality than so many other channels and this movie was no exception.
It was really good.
Edge Of The Garden reminded me instantly of The Lake House with Sandra Bullock. That movie however confused the heck out of me and after seeing it a couple of times, I still don't get it.
Then, this movie had some aspects of Somewhere In Time with Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve.
Not quite the same as either of those, but similar.
This made for television story was done very well. A young woman from 1960 can somehow talk to the man who now lives in her house 50 years later.
Any more than that would be spoilers.
It's definitely a chick flick, but one of the better ones.
Don't miss this. You'll be glad you didn't.
Well worth the watch!
Lifetime movies don't impress me at all and I refuse to watch them anymore.
The Sci Fi channel will only make a decent movie once in a while with the gap between the good ones and the bad flicks getting wider and wider. I skip most of these as well.
Hallmark can make a schmaltzy film like the rest of the television networks, but they do much, much better than many.....Why?
I don't have the answer, but most of their movies are regarded by many as a much higher quality than so many other channels and this movie was no exception.
It was really good.
Edge Of The Garden reminded me instantly of The Lake House with Sandra Bullock. That movie however confused the heck out of me and after seeing it a couple of times, I still don't get it.
Then, this movie had some aspects of Somewhere In Time with Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve.
Not quite the same as either of those, but similar.
This made for television story was done very well. A young woman from 1960 can somehow talk to the man who now lives in her house 50 years later.
Any more than that would be spoilers.
It's definitely a chick flick, but one of the better ones.
Don't miss this. You'll be glad you didn't.
Well worth the watch!
- charm_dazzle
- Mar 16, 2012
- Permalink
I love this movie. It's a true romance. I found the movie on the Hallmark Channel and recorded it several months ago. Finally got a chance to see it today. I'm shocked I hadn't heard of it before.
The best part of this movie is that the romance doesn't include any sex scenes. Instead, it's a true love story that isn't drippy or crass. This movie satisfied the romantic in me without being embarrassed while watching. It's a movie even my husband (the Marine) would watch. I want a garden like that.
Of course it didn't hurt that the main character is very handsome and easy to look at. The acting is well done and very believable. I can't wait to find more movies with the some of the same actors.
The best part of this movie is that the romance doesn't include any sex scenes. Instead, it's a true love story that isn't drippy or crass. This movie satisfied the romantic in me without being embarrassed while watching. It's a movie even my husband (the Marine) would watch. I want a garden like that.
Of course it didn't hurt that the main character is very handsome and easy to look at. The acting is well done and very believable. I can't wait to find more movies with the some of the same actors.
- friedenberg-ingrid
- Sep 7, 2019
- Permalink
I loved this movie. It is simple but very touching from beginning to the end. The main two main characters, Rob Estes and Sarah Manninen, play their roles very well. Have to watch as a couple.
- louisedermo
- Mar 8, 2018
- Permalink
Captivating! The story is kind of magical. Along the lines if Somewhere in Time. Well worth tge watch. Thank you Hallmark for making it available on demand. I missed it many years ago. I will watch it again before it's gone. Please jeep showing these older movies!
- bracknallelaine
- Aug 18, 2018
- Permalink
A neat and clean production. Engrossing and entertaining keeps up the curiosity till the end.
HOW is it possible this only has 7 stars?? I have been an avid Hallmarker for years now, and I was blown away by the heart and beauty of this film. This is truly my favorite Hallmark movie I've ever seen! A must-see for everyone who loves feel-good movies.
If you enjoyed a movie like The Love Letter with Campbell Scott and Jennifer Jason Leigh, you will enjoy this movie as well. It's sweet, gentle and bit sappy, but I was nearly crying at the end.
- classyirishlass
- May 31, 2018
- Permalink