User Reviews

Hallmark was no stranger to having films revolving around serious themes and a number of their films to have things such as grief and how to cope with loss have been rather good. Not all their serious themed films have worked and plenty have been too sentimental and melodramatic, but enough are heart warming and poignant. Hallmark did quite a number of films centered around grief and loss in 2021 before and since 'One Summer' and mostly the execution was very well done.

One of the better films in this group is 'One Summer'. This was a story that could have easily been mawkish and melodramatic, but 'One Summer' executed its story with real poignancy and heart, treating the subject with respect while not taking it too seriously. As far as Hallmark's 2021 output goes, this is up there with the best and to me it's one of their better and most heartfelt films in recent years. It also manages to be a very good representation of both leads, whose Hallmark work in performance and resume is inconsistent.

It is not a perfect film, with it being a slow starter where the story takes a while to find its footing momentum wise and there is an over familiar vibe throughout the first act.

Madeline Grace Popovich personally didn't do it for me, her character's negative traits are very exaggerated and she tries too hard to the point she becomes annoying.

The performances however really impressed me. Sam Page has an easy going likeability and also never been this expressive or this moving. Sarah Drew, though her character could have been developed a little more, neither overacts or looks bored in a turn that's understated and sincere. Amanda Schull unsettles and moves and the son is adorable and heart tugging. Most of the characters are well fleshed out and easy to like or connect with, really related to them in very difficult circumstances, Popovich's is too much of a cliche and done badly but everybody else is fine.

Page and Drew do have chemistry together in my view, the relationship is not as focused on as much as the family stuff but they seem natural and genuine together. Had no issue with the character interaction, the family dynamic when in the grieving process being true to life and honestly done. The script sounds natural and has real sincerity throughout, it doesn't sugar coat the serious theme (far from it) but it didn't to me come over as over serious or soapy. Apart from some pacing problems early on, the story is very heart warming and moving. Personally didn't have a problem with the ending, there were far worse Hallmark film endings in 2021. The drama is not too soapy or over sentimental and it doesn't feel forced. Visually it looks pleasing, with the photography and scenery being equally attractive. The music plays a key role in the film while not being used too much, it has presence but isn't dominant in sound.

On the whole, very well done. 8/10.

Parts of it were over the top and might make you roll your eyes, but most of it was very well done. The actress who played the daughter was impressive. The father was excellent as well. I like the melancholy touches about grief and found them to be the strongest parts of the movie.

Hallmark should continue with these slight deviations from their usual movie formula. I like them so much more than the conventional fall in love in one week stories.

This appeared on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries which when not doing mysteries shows movies with a different flavor than the Hallmark Channel. This movie fits that mold. It is actually quite different than most of the rom/coms we're used to because the romance is secondary to the rest of the story.

This movie is about grief, and family, and starting over. As Amanda Schull points out in an interview, this movie focuses on the man rather than the woman. His backstory is a bit unusual and possibly even a bit strange. Sam Page is excellent in that role.

Sarah Drew is also good, but I would have liked to have seen more of her.

The climax simultaneously goes off the scale with sappy and with stupid (in the sense of unrealistic). Yes I know, and I've even said, that Hallmark and realistic don't always go well together, but this movie takes the cake. But I love sappy, so I was willing to forgive for the extreme poetic license.

I know Madeline Grace Popovich can sing. She was second best in The Christmas High Note, but still pretty good. When she does her feature performance in this movie, it sounds like they switched to a voice over, but I'm assuming it was her and not someone else. The song is quite good.

Finally a PG-rated Hallmark movie with a little bit of zip. Also, it's a bit of a weeper, too, especially for anybody who has lost (or is losing) a partner to illness or accident. The world breaks everybody, but some become strong at the broken places., and this is a story of getting past grief. It'd help the suspension of disbelief if the ghost looked a little more "ghostie" (ethereal). Another nice break from the typical Hallmark formula is to not have "The Kiss" in the final frames of the movie, but I don't think that qualifies as a "spoiler".

The film has a family love story that gradually moves from its sad part to its happy and lovable one. By creating an atmosphere full of intimacy, the film is able to convey a good romantic part to the viewer. In addition, the good music and beautiful songs that it has inside fill the romantic atmosphere of the film. In general, the film has both good drama and love romance, which with its good process, was able to make the viewer feel good at the end of the film and gives the viewer the ultimate pleasure.

This one is a throwback to those old time very earnest Hallmark Hall of Fame type productions that play sometimes on Hallmark Drama. Thus it makes sense that they showed it on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries rather than the main Hallmark Channel. Because Hallmark Drama just shows reruns and this one doesn't fit with regular Hallmark's mission statement. Apparently.

It is about a man who lost his wife while he himself was dying from a mysterious disease he got while deployed in Afghanistan. When his wife was getting him medicine she dies in a car crash, leaving him, his 15-year-old daughter, and younger son bereft. He "wills" himself well from this unknown but fatal disease. It's a miracle.

He takes his kids to the little (North?) Carolina Island where his wife grew up so they can heal from all of this sad trauma. He becomes friendly with a nice café owner and his daughter becomes infatuated with her son. The dead wife starts to appear to Sam Page, the Dad, to guide him through his grief.

This is not a real light hearted cheerful movie. The actors do a fine job. Sam Page, who usually plays such conservative buttoned up looking characters with the straightest hair part in Hallmark-land, really lets his freak flag fly with longish tousled hair and a scruffy beard. I liked it. Amanda Shull as the ghostly wife and Sarah Drew as the alive love interest do a fine job as usual. Madeline Grace Popovich who plays the typical teen age girl, that is, unreasonable, obnoxious, and whiny, makes you really dislike her. Almost as much as you dislike the controlling mother of the dead wife. But the young actor who plays the sad anxious little son is fantastic, and really tugs at your heart.

This drama is not about romance. What there is between the parents and their teens is only to cast a hopeful rosy glow on the final scene of the movie. Do not question or think it through. Things cannot proceed with the two single parents until the kids are out of the house because that would be more than just awkward. Enough said.

I like the direction that Hallmark seems to be going with some of their features. Whether they can keep it up throughout the upcoming rampage of Christmas Movies remains to be seen.

...from the new more serious Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. I like how the background story was revealed, but I am not giving anything away. While Madeline Grace Popovich is a bit old to play a fifteen year old, she gets the attitude about right.

A nice film about a family moving on without "letting go."

A solid 7, at least.

This movie is exceptionally good for a TV Movie.

The dialogues and acting of the characters are indeed the best part of the movie.

The good background music also adds extra flavor and emotions, and the pacing is well-done as well.

Perfectly cast! Sam Page, Amanda Schull and Sarah Drew were spectacular! Very emotional for anyone who has lost someone dear to them. Amanda and Sarah has never disappointed. Sam was great as always!

I've always got a kick out of hallmark love stories; falling in love in less than a week. This story was refreshing. It has real love, loss, grief, healing and romance on a realistic timeline. This is definitely one of my hallmark favorites now.

What a beautiful story of a family grieving over loss. The cast was stellar and perfect in their roles. Loved it!!!

I read the book a few years ago and hoped this.movie would be made. It came true, only a character or two went missing from the book but great version in compromise.

I was very impressed and pleasantly surprised as this is not your typical Hallmark. Beautiful story and pulls at then heart strings a few times. All actors were wonderful!

I enjoy this movie and cast, and I thought well done. Lots of varied emotions.

I absolutely loved this movie. It is so different than most Hallmark movies. This was so true to real life. I felt this movie wasn't rushed leaving it open to a sequel. I will definitely watch this movie over and over. Sooo good!

The basic virtue is to be very different by the Hallmark recipe. For themes but , especially, for acting, dialogue, for realistic crumbs defining the story, for reactions of characters and for portraits of teens.

A film about lost, to be single father, to be vulnerable, to be part of past.

More than a film in Hallmark style, an inspired kick/ support to / for reflection and, maybe, honesty to yourself.

I've dealt with several situations similar to this - the death of a spouse with young children still in the house. Through a series of flashbacks/imaginations of the male lead and his late wife, the script moves the story of healing along nicely.

The 16 year old girl plays it pretty accurately to some real life situations I've seen, with the anger, up and down emotions and such...

I felt the final 10 minutes were rather contrived and not really needed. A more creative writing team could have easily brought reconciliation following the same pattern throughout the movie, that of serious conversations - instead, they fell back on a crisis and that narrowly averted, to bring the story to its conclusion.

I liked it, move along more slowly than many Hallmark movies, but the walk through the roller coaster of emotions the actors portrayed is true to life from my experience...well done overall.

I'll summarize my thoughts by saying that this was cheesy. Characters had no depth, very superficial. I was beyond disappointed. I cannot recommend it and unlike other Hallmark movies, I would not watch it again.

So, Yes, Hallmark movies are Cheesy! <---Capital "C" My family makes fun of me for watching some of them. I've actually researched why I gravitate towards them, as I would be defined as a/an semi-liberal, earth-friendly, atheist.:) Not a gal who bows towards a gold crown standard...if you know what I mean...? Apparently, they provide a much needed "dopamine" release. My traumatized brain loves their consistency and "run of the mill" plots and silly, predictable endings! AND I'm and English major, (so I LOVE plot twists, character depth/development, and ALL the other literary elements you learned about that Hallmark movies typically lack) ;) BUT...I will say that this movie does rip at the heart strings a bit because it "ever SOOoooo slightly" tugs at the human condition of grief. Grief is a universal emotion and everyone has experienced some type of grief. This movie will connect with those who have experienced the unexpected loss of a loved one. If you are a deep feeler, you will be able to put yourself in the shoes of the husband, daughter/son, mom/dad, (insert your character of choice here), and journey along side them as they attempt to heal a part that is lost/missing. Was it my favorite movie ever? NO! Do I think that it fulfilled its authors' purpose and met its target audience? YES!

It was a bit of a slow and depressing plot, but it will give you some pause for reflection and "what ifs"... In ALL seriousness, my biggest criticism is that it seemed to be lacking a trusty family dog character who takes on the emotion of all the characters. It's hard to watch this and NOT be like, "where's the family dog?" Ohio family...would probably have a dog...AND...when they headed to the coast somewhere, would probably bring them with in the ole' VW Bus. Just saying... :)

This is story of loss & grief of a wife & mother to 2 children. I'm not a big fan of Sam Page but loved his portrayal of the grieving father & how he copes with his children who miss their mother. The location is stunning too. Another winning film from Hallmark who have beautifully handled such a sensitive subject.