Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers

I confess that, yes, I usually like Hallmark movies. And I like period pieces. So this movie is a terrible disappointment.

I just finished watching season 2 of The Gilded Age so I hope I didn't grade this movie further down in comparison but these are the thoughts that came to mind while viewing:

It has second rate acting.

It has third rate plot and dialogue.

It has fourth rate directing. Over directing.

(Third rate on average.)

The endless and all too frequent quick cuts during conversations were nauseating. And the puzzling way some of the actors uttered their lines had me blaming the director too.

The actress playing the main character is completely out of her element. She is supposed to be a young woman in 1895, but vocally she is coming at you from 2024. While the other characters are attempting a more proper accent and intonation, she is mumbling and using vocal fry to end her sentences.

And that's just the beginning of this mess.

African American characters are also being utilized like it's 2024. There would not have been a black, female assistant to the medical examiner in 1895. Add to that, the ball at the beginning of the movie consisted of a large group of African Americans. This is the same part of the country that didn't even allow Jewish people in their country clubs in the early '70s. It's absurd. At least stay true to history.

I hope if there are more of the movies developed from one of my favorite book series the characters will be stronger. I am not happy with the actors that are playing most of these parts. I know people say all the time that it doesn't know how we imagined these characters to be. If more are made, when nothing has changed, I won't be watching more of these movies. Hopefully they just need to get into the parts better. Emma's character in the books are much stronger. I'm sure it isn't the actors problem as much as it is the writers. I guess I just expected more. I expected more from Hallmark movies and mysteries.

Whew this one was rough. And I love a hallmark mystery. I also love a period piece.

The main actress was rough. Her inability to finish conversations with people. Her 2024 vibes in this era... nope. Her actual acting. 0 stars.

Also, she's kissing and almost betrothed to one guy but very easily flirting with another. Not for me.

How many times was she going to almost die in this movie? The worst one I've seen in a LONG time.

Script -1 out of 10 Plot- 2 out of 10 Acting- 2 out of 10 Set design- 7 out of 10 Level of annoying- 10 out of 10

If you're looking for a hallmark mystery that's good- go for mystery 101 or A Flowershop Mystery.

I was really looking forward to this but after 15 minutes realized it was a mess on every level. The main character is completely unbelievable as a "detective" and she slogs through her dialogue. Most of the characters are wooden and going through the motions. Reactions to events are shockingly unrealistic (a guy falls to his death and our MC doesn't even blink or act startled. She jaunts over to the body and asks "Mr Goddard?" as blood pours from his head)

In another instance a man is lying on the floor, clearly having been knocked out but it takes our genius MC hours to notice a bump on his head and she's very proud of herself for figuring out he was attacked along with the murder victim. Ummm... wouldn't the guy know if he was hit over the head?? Just ask him!

As others have mentioned, the class system of the era is completely ignored. It seems Hallmark has period costumes on hand so they think that makes for a good period movie.

This mess proves that it doesn't.