A Summer to Remember

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Personally have always found Cameron Mathison worth watching and can see why he is popular with Hallmark, when his characters are written well he plays with a natural easy going charm and subtle charisma. Catherine Bell is more variable, have liked some of her work but when she has characters that are hard to connect to or have overblown character flaws she fares less well. The 2018 Summer Nights seasonal block varied as well, a couple worked and a couple did not. 'A Summer to Remember' is one of the in between 2018 Summer Nights films. It is not as good as 'Pearl in Paradise' (the best), but it is a lot better than 'Love on Safari'. As far as 2018 Hallmark films go in general, 'A Summer to Remember' is neither one of the best or worst films and in the firmly in the middle part of the in between category. To me, it was a decent enough diversion with a lot of good but it would have been better if the story was stronger. The good things will be mentioned first. On the whole, Bell and Mathison are very engaging and likeable leads (apart from some initial forced moments from Bell). Their characters are not multi dimensional, but they were ones that were not too perfect or had negative characteristics that are overdone. Their chemistry doesn't come over as disconnected and is sweet and sincere. The supporting cast generally are solid. Fiji though is the star, with the scenery being breath taking and beautifully filmed, which is expected from any Hallmark film set abroad. The music is not too constant or repetitive, even if there is not much that leaps out. Most of the script flows well and has a mix of light hearted wit and well meaning more serious moments. Will agree however with those that have said that the story is pretty weak. There are light hearted and charming moments, but it is very, very slight (sometimes uneventful) and drags quite a bit in spots, do agree that some of it was too much like a travelogue. What there is of the story has good moments and did appreciate that there wasn't any contrived predictable conflicts, but it is very formulaic (if you've seen any Summer Nights film set abroad it is pretty much what is seen quite a lot with Hallmark in this type of film). Moreover, atmosphere wise on the whole it's pretty bland from lacking depth in storytelling and character writing. While liking Bell and Mathison's characters, the supporting characters are too sketchy and too much like recycled Hallmark cliches. Really did not see the point of Paul O'Brien's character and thought him annoying. In conclusion, decent if not exceptional. 6/10.

Catherine Bell plays an EMERGENCY ROOM doctor - badly, but that isn't the point. Someone who went through roughly a decade of higher education to get where she is, and then sufficient OJT experience to earn her a shot at a far better position. Can I just say Emergency Room again? A job where you see people in the midst of the worst days of their lives, and it is your responsibility to not only keep them alive but sufficiently intact to enjoy it. So... This computer-generated pap from Hallmark, however, is trying to convince us that she must throw that all away in order to link up the with deputy regional manager of a plastic-delights resort in Fiji. I quit watching before the end credits, just in case we get a future shot of Bell barefoot and pregnant; just like JEEBUS demands! I hate this movie, and the people who forced me to watch most of it.

The plot was very predictable given that this was originally aired on the Hallmark Channel. Since it was set in Fiji, I wonder why there were no native Fijians in the acting roles. Besides two of the main cast, the rest were Aussies and a Kiwi. Sorry to disagree, but the acting was rather staged and the direction rather run-of-the-mill. Besides the typical love triangle story, the film's seems to be a tourist promotion travelogue for Fiji.

A lovely Hallmark film focusing on an overly busy Doctor, who finds peace and potentially love in Fiji. With Catherine Bell giving a wonderful turn, and Hallmark regular Cameron Mathison as her potential suitor, this was good fun.

Liked Catherine Bells' performance and that of a winning cast. Impossible to not love the idyllic setting. One thing that grated is the title. Weren't they only there a vacation of 1 - 2 weeks? Good to see diversity and depiction of strong, credible single family units.

A Summer to Remember & Pearl in Paradise are completely separate movies filmed back to back in Fiji and two of Hallmark's best. The setting is gorgeous and the plots above average. I love that the characters and storylines are also quite timeless - not relying on the latest tech nor specifying the era nor the leads' ages so most viewers can relate and rewatch many times.

Why is Cameron Mathison,given leading man roles. He is much better suited for the guy who doesn't get the girl. He comes off as insincere and would do better as sleazy characters. Who decided he deserves all these roles? The second fiddle in this movie way more charming. He has ruined every movie I've seen him in.