'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' is one of the 2021 Hallmark films seen with mixed expectations. This year saw a number of beautiful and exotic locations with Hallmark (including Hawaii and Paris), and it doesn't become more exotic than the Mediterranean. That there would be the male lead doing a dual role (not seen a lot with Hallmark these days) also interested. Am really not a fan however of Jessica Lowndes, with a couple of exceptions but she has often come over as quite limited and most of her films don't do much for me.
2021's 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' is one of the few films of hers that did impress me, though more for most of everything else than her. It is up there with one of the better 2021 Hallmark films, which have been a bit of a mixed bag but not too bad considering these tumultuous times. Of the Love Ever After films of the year, 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' is one of the best and by quite some way. While not loving the film, it was pretty enjoyable.
Was not too enamoured by Lowndes, she could have had a lot more fun and the character needed more charm than what she gave. Her attempts at flirtation too are pretty awkward.
Some of the story could have had more clarity and subtlety, will agree regarding the reason for Meg to get that close and will agree too that she was too oblivious to something that was blatantly obvious. The ending felt too easy and too quick, and there is no surprise what it would be.
On the other hand, a lot is good. The production values are terrific, a vast majority of 2021 Hallmark films have been remarkably well made visually and 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' is one of the most beautiful looking. How could it not be with a setting as incredible as the Mediterranean'. The music is not overpowering or overused and the direction is indicative of someone that was at ease with the material and was having fun with it.
The script has plenty of very amusing moments, while any tender moments are not too sentimental. The story goes at a tight pace and is charming and upbeat, the content that could easily have been stereotypical or judgemental was done very tastefully and contrary to what has been said by others regarding Hallmark including more diversity the diversity was more than welcome. The supporting cast are solid, but the best thing about the film is Jeremy Jordan. Who is truly excellent in one of the most difficult roles of the 2021 Hallmark batch (playing two completely contrasting characters rather than one) and one of the standout performances of the batch too. He is clearly having fun, but he does so without mugging, overdoing any mannerisms that would have made the character in question too much of a stereotype and brings nuanced heart to both characters (doing the seeming impossible at making a jerk endearing by the end).
Summing up, not everything works but much of it does and the film is worth seeing for primarily Jordan. 7/10.
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