'Love at the Shore' is the first 2017 Summer Nights film, which somehow managed to be seen after the other films in the Summer Nights block from that year. Did actually like the idea of the film and have seen the leads elsewhere and liked them, Peter Porte being the more familiar one to me. Hallmark did make some good films in 2017 (such as 'The Birthday Wish' and 'The Perfect Catch'), and overall, but that year was very hit and miss for them (when it missed it really did).
While not one of the worst of the misfires, 'Love at the Shore' could have been much better. It could have been a nice, relatable if done right film, but the character writing of the female lead significantly let the film down. The 2017 Summer Nights block in general was rather mediocre, with the only watchable effort being 'Summer in the Vineyard' in my respectful view. 'Love at the Shore' is probably somewhere in the middle of the batch, though the Summer Nights films from that year geerally are quite close together in quality.
It's not all bad. It does look lovely and is one of the better looking 2017 Summer Nights films. Especially the scenery, which is gorgeous and is every bit as prettily filmed. The music isn't exceptional, but isn't discordant and is pleasant.
Porte does decently with what he is given and is quite likeable and the kids are charming.
Righetti makes a valiant effort in her role and has some winning moments, but she can also try too hard in the more melodramatic moments. Also thought that the film went well overboard on the overblown character flaws for her character, where she came over as too disproportionately controlling (i.e. That really over the top reaction to learning of the coaching) and quite cold. There are moments of nice chemistry between her and Porte, but it could have done with more development and generally could have been warmer if it had toned down the controlling.
Most of the characters didn't connect with me other than the children, and this was a scenario where rooting for the characters was somewhat necessary to me. The script is awkward sounding and is quite trite, not much substance here despite the subject. Wouldn't have minded the big amount of predictability that the story had, from the countless story and character cliches, but it was very difficult to overlook when the story also suffered from being dully paced, not particularly realistic and at times quite thin. The direction is workmanlike at best.
Concluding, pretty mediocre but not a complete loss. 4/10.
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